Quality improvement of community pharmacy services: a prioritisation exercise.

Rumana S Newlands,Margaret Watson,Ailsa Power,Linda Young

doi:10.1111/ijpp.12354

Abstract

ObjectivesEffective strategies are needed to translate knowledge (evidence) into practice to improve the quality of community pharmacy services. We report the first step of a novel knowledge translation process which involved the systematic identification and prioritisation of community pharmacy services in Scotland which were perceived to require improvement and/or guideline development.MethodsThis process involved three stages and a stakeholder group comprising community pharmacists, policy makers, lay and pharmacy organisation representatives. A modified nominal group technique (NGT) was used for topic generation (August 2013) followed by an electronic Delphi survey (eDelphi), October–December 2013) and topic rationalisation (December 2013) based on feasibility, acceptability, and potential impact for practice improvement.Key findingsIn total, 63 items were identified during the modified NGT which were categorised into 20 topics to form the starting point of the eDelphi. In total, 74 individuals (mostly community pharmacists) indicated an interest in the eDelphi, which achieved response rates of 63.5%, 67.6%, and 70.3%, respectively in Rounds 1, 2, and 3. Consensus was achieved with six topics: promoting the appropriate sale and supply of over‐the‐counter medicines; patient counselling for prescribed medication; pharmaceutical care to promote medication adherence; promotion and delivery of a Minor Ailment Scheme; pharmaceutical care of vulnerable patients; and effective use of community pharmacy workforce. Of these, the priority topic selected for the next stage of the programme was promoting the appropriate sale and supply of over‐the‐counter medicines.ConclusionsThis study adopted a systematic, inclusive, and rapid approach to identify priorities for community pharmacy practice improvement in Scotland.

Highlights

IntroductionThe delivery of safe and high-quality health care services is challenging,[1,2] and the translation of research findings into practice is inconsistent.[2,3] Obstacles to implementation can arise at multiple levels of health care delivery: patient, provider, policy, and/or the larger system or environment in which the organisations are embedded.[4,5,6] The critical role of implementation research ( referred to as knowledge translation and/or improvement science) is gaining increasing recognition with health service researchers wishing to translate research findings into meaningful patient care outcomes.[7,8,9]National Health Service (NHS) Education for Scotland (NES) offers a wide range of education and training support for clinical and non-clinical staff who work in National Health Service (NHS), Scotland.[10]
We report the first step of a novel knowledge translation process which involved the systematic identification and prioritisation of community pharmacy services in Scotland which were perceived to require improvement and/or guideline development
The priority topic selected for the part of Translation Research in a Dental Setting (TRiaDS)-P, promoting the appropriate sale and supply of OTC medicine, met all criteria in terms of priorities and it was found to be the most important topic at the time based on the WHICH[20] and Prescription for Excellence guidance.[21]

Summary

Introduction

The delivery of safe and high-quality health care services is challenging,[1,2] and the translation of research findings into practice is inconsistent.[2,3] Obstacles to implementation can arise at multiple levels of health care delivery: patient, provider, policy, and/or the larger system or environment in which the organisations are embedded.[4,5,6] The critical role of implementation research ( referred to as knowledge translation and/or improvement science) is gaining increasing recognition with health service researchers wishing to translate research findings into meaningful patient care outcomes.[7,8,9]National Health Service (NHS) Education for Scotland (NES) offers a wide range of education and training support for clinical and non-clinical staff who work in National Health Service (NHS), Scotland.[10]. This programme supports the three quality ambitions: safe, effective, and person-centred published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Royal Pharmaceutical Society

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