Evaluation of feasibility and acceptability of a community pharmacy health promotion scheme - views of users and providers

Abstract

Objectives To analyse client uptake and obtain feedback on pharmacists' health promotion interventions; to consider pharmacists' perspectives on providing health promotion inputs.

Design Telephone interviews with clients, stakeholders and pharmacists. Analysis of client questionnaires.

Setting Community pharmacies in one health authority area in England. Method Eleven community pharmacists took part in a scheme to offer health promotion advice to the public about four topics: exercise, dental health, smoking cessation and medicines. The scheme used a behavioural change model drawing on the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) and Motivational Interviewing. The pharmacists received a specific training programme (six days in total). Clients were offered a brief 'Level 1' intervention with a second, extended 'Level 2' where the pharmacist and client thought it necessary. The evaluation included interviews with clients (29), participating pharmacists (9) and stakeholders (7) together with an analysis of client feedback questionnaires.

Results In total 301 Level 1 and 30 Level 2 interventions were provided by the pharmacists. The most popular topic was smoking cessation (140 Level 1 and 29 Level 2) and the least popular, exercise (21 Level 1). Client questionnaires and interviews showed that clients valued the advice they received. Pharmacists' motivations for participating and their level of proactivity and networking were variable. There was some evidence that limiting the pharmacist's input to one Level 1 and one Level 2 session may provide insufficient flexibility to meet clients' needs. Furthermore, while the TTM has a good fit with some health promotion topics, there are others where a straightforward information-giving model might be more suitable.

Conclusion The health promotion scheme was well received by clients, many of whom had not previously sought health advice from the pharmacist. The findings of this study should give pharmacists more confidence to proactively offer health promotion advice to clients and indicate scope for extending the provision of such advice.