Community pharmacists' readiness for minor ailment services in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study of perceptions, barriers, and facilitators.

Abstract

Minor ailments are a significant burden on primary care services globally. In Saudi Arabia's evolving healthcare landscape, pharmacists play a crucial informal role, but no coordinated national approach exists. Understanding pharmacists' preparedness is thus vital to optimize successful integration. This study evaluated Saudi community pharmacists' perceptions, barriers, and facilitators related to minor ailment services (MAS) for capacity-building strategies. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from April to July 2023. Data were collected from participants using a self-administered, anonymous questionnaire with 48 questions. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS v.27. Of the 720 pharmacists invited to participate, 442 completed the questionnaire, yielding an overall response rate of 61.4% (442/720). Most pharmacists recognized the value of accessible self-care support using their skills (92.6%), but 26.9% feared misdiagnosis risks. Most (93.9%) emphasized prudent triage and history-taking, and yet 22.2% were ambivalent on referrals. Key barriers that were identified included the lack of patient information (71.5%), lack of reimbursement for MAS (61.8%), lack of a private/counseling area (59.5%), and lack of knowledge for minor ailment management (48.2%). Pharmacists who work in rural areas, work part-time, and have not attended any training or education programs also tend to display a more uncertain attitude toward delivering services for minor ailments. Pharmacists in Saudi Arabia can play a significant role in managing minor ailments, but the identified barriers must be addressed to integrate their services thoroughly. That can be done through comprehensive training, allocating resources, and establishing structured communication and referral pathways. This integration can improve healthcare accessibility, reduce costs, and better utilize pharmacists' expertise for delivering patient care.