An investigation of strategies enhancing the public health role of community pharmacists: a review of knowledge and information

Abstract

Objective The study aims to review the literature about strategies that can enhance the public health role of community pharmacists in the UK; and to identify main themes emerging from the literature as well as identify gaps there from. Methods Relevant literature from both the UK and overseas was identified, through electronic database searches. The search was limited to the period from January 2007 to May 2012. Key findings There are numerous opportunities for community pharmacists in public health. Following the review of knowledge and information, a wide range of strategies that could help enhance the public health role of community pharmacists in the UK were identified. The dominant themes included strategies to enhance the public health role of community pharmacists through: enhancing the effectiveness of communication techniques of students and pharmacists; advancing pharmacy practice experience of students in public health; enhancing the public health content of pharmacy curricula; managing legitimate medication needs of the public to identify/prevent drug-related problems; as well as promoting patients’ self-management capacities. Conclusions Although a wide range of strategies that could help enhance the public health role of community pharmacists in the UK were identified, there were, however, gaps in the UK evidence base. There is a need to enhance, among other things, the public health training and skills of pharmacists, enabling the development of a mixed market in community pharmacy practice by contracting public health services directly to individual pharmacists, as well as pharmacists using newer technologies, including the social media, to enhance public health practice.