Abstract
Background Asset-based approaches seek to positively mobilise the strengths, capabilities, and resources of individuals and communities. To date, limited consideration has been given to the potential value of this approach in relation to community pharmacy practice, yet this is important and timely given community pharmacy’s expanding role and contribution to public health initiatives. Objectives This qualitative study aimed to explore the current and potential role of community pharmacy in asset-based approaches. Methods Fifteen semi-structured telephone interviews were undertaken with community pharmacists and project leads, and public health policy and strategic leads in the UK. Transcripts were analysed using simultaneous inductive open and deductive coding using an applied Theory of Change as an illustrative lens. Results The shift towards patient-facing roles in community pharmacy was felt to offer expanded relational opportunities to engage and collaborate with individuals, communities, and other stakeholders. However, only a small number of respondents described examples of systemic asset-based working within the pharmacy sector. The adoption of asset-based approaches was challenged or enabled by several factors including the availability of protected time/resources, workplace and organisational culture/values, strategic leadership, commissioning, and funding arrangements. Conclusions The study provides valuable insights into the potential for community pharmacy, a previously unconsidered sector, to further adopt and contribute to asset-based approaches and play a more central role in the improvement of public health and reduction of health inequalities.
Highlights
Asset-based approaches seek to positively mobilise the strengths, capabilities, and resources of individuals and communities
This study aimed to explore the current and potential role of community pharmacy in asset-based approaches and sought to address the following research objectives: To investigate if and how community pharmacists have adopted asset-based approaches into their practice, and to explore the views of community pharmacists and other stakeholders with regards to the value and potential scope of asset-based practice involving community pharmacy
Sampling was purposeful [12] and included two main groups of participants from across the United Kingdom (UK): the first group was comprised of community pharmacy practitioners and pharmacy project leads, which included representatives of professional pharmacy bodies; the second group included public health policy and strategic leads
Summary
This qualitative study aimed to explore the current and potential role of community pharmacy in asset-based approaches. Transcripts were analysed using simultaneous inductive open and deductive coding using an applied Theory of Change as an illustrative lens
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