Publics’ Perceptions of Community Pharmacists and Satisfaction with Pharmacy Services in Al-Madinah City, Saudi Arabia: A Cross Sectional Study

Patient Satisfaction with Pharmacist-Led COVID-19 Testing in Community Pharmacies: Insights from the Croatian Experience

Background/Objective: Pharmacists are among the most accessible healthcare professionals, playing a crucial role in public health. In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many countries, including Croatia, have expanded the responsibilities of pharmacists. Since November 2021, Croatian pharmacists have been authorized to provide COVID-19 testing in community pharmacies. This study explores patients' perceptions of these pharmacy-based testing services. Methods: This study employed a quantitative research approach, utilizing a structured questionnaire as the primary data collection tool. The research was conducted between November 2021 and January 2022, with a total of 211 participants from diverse backgrounds. Results: The findings demonstrate a highly positive perception of COVID-19 testing services in community pharmacies. A significant majority (95.2%) of patients found pharmacist-administered testing to be convenient. Additionally, 92.3% believed that pharmacists possess the necessary skills to perform the tests, and 94.7% expressed willingness to undergo testing in a pharmacy again. Notably, 94% of respondents indicated their intention to utilize pharmacists' services for future testing. Conclusions: Croatian patients exhibit a strong positive attitude towards pharmacist-led COVID-19 testing in community pharmacies. These findings highlight the pivotal role of pharmacists in enhancing healthcare accessibility and demonstrate the value of integrating pharmacy-based testing services into public health strategies. This study provides valuable insights into the evolving role of pharmacists in healthcare delivery.

Pharmacy Customers' Attitudes Towards Expanded Pharmacy Services in Croatia

Pharmacists have been recognized as the most accessible healthcare professionals, and research has been carried out on expanded pharmacy services they could provide. Additional pharmacy services are a cost-effective way to prevent medication errors, reduce the number of drug-related problems, and prevent chronic disease progression. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate pharmacy service users' views of expanded pharmacy services in Croatia. This study included 745 participants. Patients who have a healthcare professional in their family more frequently knew of the existence of e-health records and the option to share it with their pharmacists (134, 56.3% vs. 229, 45.2%, p = 0.005), while persons that have chronic illness more frequently visit the same pharmacy (176, 77.9% vs. 178, 34.3%, p < 0.001). Participants are confident that pharmacists can provide screening services and education on inhaler usage; however, only around 60% agreed that pharmacists can independently lead therapy adjustment, medication substitution, or monitor therapy based on test results. Our findings should be supported with projects evaluating the cost-effectiveness of such services as they would be accepted by a greater number of pharmacy service users if covered by the national health insurer.

Clinical Services, Barriers, and Public Perspectives of Community Pharmacies in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, there is an increasing demand for community pharmacists to provide the highest level of clinical knowledge and services. However, evidence regarding Saudi public awareness of the clinical services offered by community pharmacies (CPs) and the barriers to using them is limited. In this cross-sectional study, we used an online questionnaire developed by adapting the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. A total of 273 participants completed the survey. Half the participants were generally aware of the availability of some CP services but were not informed about the full range on offer, eg, medication reviews (84%) and online counseling (89%). Most of the participants (69.6%) did not identify differences in the care provided by community pharmacists versus hospital pharmacists (P = 0.02). A commonly reported barrier to using CP services was a general preference for other healthcare professionals to seek pharmaceutical help (85.7%). Many other barriers were also reported, impacting the participants' use of these services. The decision-making authorities should consider improvements to increase patients' awareness and utilization of clinical services and enhance community pharmacists' performance in clinical-oriented pharmaceutical care.

Pharmaceutical Activities, Services, Medicines, and Products at Community Pharmacies in the Qassim Region of Saudi Arabia: Findings and Implications for the Future

Introduction  Community pharmacies are highly accessible and provide access to several services to patients and community members. Recently, several developments have been made in Saudi Arabia to enhance the roles and contributions of community pharmacists to the healthcare system, including expanding their scope of practice. This study aims to evaluate the current pharmaceutical activities, medicines, products, and services offered by community pharmacies.  Methods This was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based descriptive study. The questionnaire consisted of three sections. The first section comprised the demographic characteristics of the participants. The second section explored the types of pharmaceuticals and products sold by community pharmacies, while the third section explored the current professional services and activities offered by pharmacies. This study was conducted among community pharmacists in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. Results  Overall, 109/115 community pharmacies participated in the study, yielding a response rate of 94.78%. Most participants (97.25%) were men, and 42.20% were 31-40 years old. All pharmacies (100%) dispensed prescriptions and provided over-the-counter medicines, self-care therapeutics, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements. However, only a few pharmacies had controlled and narcotic medicine services (5.50%) and supplied vaccines (3.67%). Almost all pharmacies provided access to herbal products (97.25%), self-diagnostic test/home-test kits (97.25%), first-aid kits (95.41%), and medical equipment and devices and their accessories (89.91%). All pharmacies (100%) sold health-related products, including oral, skin, and hair care products. All pharmacists (100%) provided medication counseling. However, e-prescription services (Wasfaty) were provided in only 55.96% of the pharmacies. Most pharmacists provided health education and promotion (95.41%), management of minor ailments (88.99%), and patient training on the use of medical devices (92.66%). Other pharmaceutical activities included travel health advice (52.29%) and smoking cessation (31.19%). However, patient care services, including vaccination services (0.92%), patient assessment and monitoring services (0.92%), and point-of-care (POC) testing (0.92%), were limited. Additional services included online shopping (66.97%), home delivery of medicines (54.13%), and instant/live chat communication with pharmacies (70.64%). Conclusion  Community pharmacies play a crucial role in Saudi Arabia's healthcare system. These include providing access to medicines, medical equipment, and various products related to health and wellness. Community pharmacies provide public health services. However, their clinical services are limited. Consequently, a holistic strategy involving all stakeholders is required to further enhance the role of community pharmacists and better utilize their skills and training to provide preventive healthcare services and optimize medication therapy in primary care settings.

Assessing Public Awareness, Utilization and Satisfaction with Community Pharmacy Services

Background

The Saudi Community pharmacy sector has been changing towards patient-centred care rather than depending solely on dispensing medications. Accordingly, pharmacies can now provide many services that they previously could not offer. The aims of this study were to identify all pharmacy services provided in a community setting and to assess public awareness and utilization of and satisfaction with these services.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study in which the authors first purposively visited community pharmacies to identify the services offered. Pharmacists were asked about pharmacy services currently provided to community. Fieldnotes were used to document pharmacists' responses. After identifying pharmacy services, a questionnaire was desgined and reviewed by experts in the field, piloted and approved by the Ethics Committee at King Faisal University, then disseminated via Google Forms. The satisfaction level with pharmacy services was assessed using a five-point Likert scale. Data were collected from 24 January 2023 to 2 March 2023.

Results

Eighteen community pharmacies offering 17 different services were visited across Alahsa Governorate. The number of participants who completed the questionnaire was 350. Of those (232 [66.3%]) were female, and the majority of the sample (80.5%) were younger than 40 years old. The majority of the participants were unaware of pharmacy services. Out of 17 services, six received a score of 50% or higher regarding participant awareness. The most utilized services were the medication dispensing service "Wasfaty" (250 [71.4%]), medication counselling provided by pharmacists (232 [66.3%]) and minor ailment service (231 [66%]). The overall satisfaction score for pharmacy services was 87.2%.

Conclusion

The majority of the participants were unaware of the full range of available pharmacy services. There is a potential for community pharmacists to fill the capacity gap in the healthcare system since, overall, the participants rated the pharmacies' clinical services as satisfactory. Commissioners of pharmacy services may consider extending the scope of community pharmacies to include services that best utilize the expertise of clinical pharmacists.

Dispensation of outpatient hospital medicines by hospital only versus hospital-community pharmacies collaboration: a cross-sectional study and survey of patient's satisfaction

Goal

To describe the experience of a dispensing model of outpatient hospital medicines (OHM) via collaboration of hospital and community pharmacies, and to explore patient satisfaction with the strategy as compared with the hospital pharmacy only service.

Background

Patient satisfaction is an important component of the quality of health care.

Study

A new model of dispensing OHM was conducted in the Outpatients Unit of the Service of Hospital Pharmacy of Hospital del Mar, in Barcelona, Spain. Participants were patients on stable chronic treatment with clinical or social fragility, immunocompromised patients, and those whose residence was located at a distance from the hospital that justified drug delivery through the community pharmacy. A cross sectional study was done using an ad hoc 14-item questionnaire collecting demographic data, duration of treatment, usual mode of collecting medication, and the degree of satisfaction regarding waiting time for the collection of medication, attention received by professionals, information received on treatment, and confidentiality.

Results

The study population included a total of 4,057 patients (66.8% men) with a mean age of 53 (15.5) years, of whom 1,286 responded, with a response rate of 31.7%. Variables significantly associated with response to the survey were age over 44 years, particularly the age segment of 55-64 years (odds ratio [OR] 2.51) and receiving OHM via the community pharmacy (OR 12.76). Patients in the community pharmacy group (n = 927) as compared with those in the hospital pharmacy group (n = 359) showed significantly higher percentages of 'satisfied' and 'very satisfied' (p < 0.001) in the waiting time for the collection of OHM (88.1% vs. 66%), attention received by professionals (92.5% vs. 86.1%), and information received on treatment (79.4% vs. 77.4%). In relation to confidentiality, results obtained were similar in both pharmacy settings.

Conclusion

Dispensing OHM through the community pharmacy was a strategy associated with greater patient satisfaction as compared with OHM collection at the hospital pharmacy service, with greater accessibility, mainly due to close distance to the patient's home. The participation of community pharmacists could further optimize the care received by patients undergoing OHM treatment.

Managing infectious diarrhea among young children in community pharmacies in Saudi Arabia and the implications for AMR

Introduction

Diarrhea remains a major global health issue for children under five, contributing substantially to morbidity and mortality. Community pharmacists play a pivotal role in the management of these children; however, their competence in managing childhood diarrhea in Saudi Arabia is under-researched. This is important to ensure optimal patient care.

Method

Simulated patients (SPs) presenting with three pediatric diarrhea scenarios were used to evaluate pharmacists' practice in terms of their counselling, history taking, over-the-counter (OTC) prescribing, medication instructions, diet/fluid advice, and/or information provision. Pharmacists' practice was categorized into adequate, less adequate, and poor.

Results

182 community pharmacists, primarily male and non-Saudi, participated in the study, of which 60% were in chain pharmacies. Only 5% showed adequate practice in currently managing pediatric diarrhea. Of the 182 simulated patient visits, 62% received medication in all three scenarios and 20% were referred to physicians, with 16% of pharmacists failing to provide any form of intervention. The main medications recommended were kaolin (34%), pectin (34%) and metronidazole (11%). While most pharmacists (86%) asked about the patient's identity and age, 15% provided incorrect management information, 16% failed to provide guidance on the prescribed medicines, and 18% dispensed antimicrobials without a valid prescription.

Conclusion

A high level of inadequate management of pediatric diarrhea in Saudi Arabia was observed. This highlights the need for extensive training to improve community pharmacists' practice in service delivery including providing counselling and advice on the appropriate management of childhood diarrhea. The latter is particularly important to reduce antimicrobial resistance.

Workplace wellbeing in community pharmacy practice: A cross-sectional study in Can Tho, Vietnam

Background

Among pharmacy workers, low workplace wellbeing can lead to reduced effectiveness. However, to date, studies on this issue are limited within the community pharmacy setting in Vietnam.

Objectives

This study was conducted to identify the component aspects of workplace wellbeing and their associations with demographic characteristics.

Methods

The cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Can Tho, Vietnam. Self-administered questionnaires were hand-delivered to all pharmacy workers working at selected community pharmacies. The workplace wellbeing scale comprised 18 items.

Results

In total, 382 pharmacy workers participated in this study. Factor analysis revealed three fundamental aspects to workplace wellbeing: Factor 1 - perceived self-worth and job satisfaction, Factor 2 - positive emotions with work, and Factor 3 - negative emotions with work. Factor 1 showed a positive correlation with Factor 2, with a correlation coefficient (ρ) of 0.509, while both Factor 1 (ρ = -0.399) and Factor 2 (ρ = -0.416) demonstrated negative correlations with Factor 3. Higher income was associated with higher positive emotions with work (P = 0.008), higher perceived self-worth and job satisfaction (P = 0.013), and lower negative emotions with work (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Workplace wellbeing of pharmacy workers in their professional environments was associated with financial aspects. These findings suggest that policies aimed at improving income for pharmacy workers could bring benefits to enhancing job satisfaction and workplace wellbeing.

Public perception, satisfaction and expectations from community pharmacy services and the barriers to consult the community pharmacist

This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate public perception, satisfaction, expectations, and barriers to utilize the community pharmacy services. A validated self-reported online survey was distributed on 681 individuals in different regions across Jordan. The mean age of the participants was 29 (±10) years. The most reported reason for choosing a particular community pharmacy was its closure to home or workplace (79.1%), while the main reason for visiting a community pharmacy was to obtain over the counter medications (66.2%). The participants showed good perception, satisfaction, and expectations of community pharmacy services. However, several barriers were identified, including higher participants' trust in physicians when compared to pharmacists (63.1%), and lack of privacy in the pharmacy (45.7%). Community pharmacists should participate in successful education and training programs in order to raise the quality of the provided services, meet patient requirements, and re-establish consumer confidence in community pharmacists.

Assessing consumers' perception and demand on the community pharmacists' dispensing

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to assess the general public's perception of services provided by community pharmacies, their willingness to utilize these services, their satisfaction with and understanding of community pharmacists, and their views on dispensing separation and pharmacy medicines (P medicines).

METHODS

An online cross-sectional study was conducted, in which questionnaires were distributed among the general public. A novel questionnaire was designed and validated specifically for this study. It was composed of six sections: demographics, pharmacy usage and service preferences, understanding and satisfaction with pharmacists, views on dispensing separation, private community pharmacies, and knowledge of P medicines. Statistical analyses such as one-way ANOVA, independent t test, and binary logistic regression were employed, with a p value of < 0.05 considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

The study received 222 responses. The majority of the respondents were females within the 20-29-year-old age group (62.2%). Most respondents preferred to consult doctors for medical treatment, with their primary reason for visiting community pharmacies being to collect prescribed medicines. About 52.7% of respondents expressed their willingness to avail of screening services and treatment for minor illnesses at community pharmacies. A statistically significant difference was found among different age groups regarding their views on the dispensing separation system, with those aged 41-50 years demonstrating higher scores. However, the binary logistic regression analysis did not reveal any statistical significance when comparing the understanding of P medicines among respondents.

CONCLUSIONS

In general, the public prefers to consult doctors for medical treatment and visit community pharmacies predominantly to collect prescriptions or purchase over-the-counter medications. Nonetheless, they are also open to utilizing services provided by community pharmacists, particularly screening services and treatment for minor illnesses.

Public awareness of online pharmacies, consumers' motivating factors, experience and satisfaction with online pharmacy services, and current barriers and motivators for non-consumers: The case of Saudi Arabia

Purpose

Online pharmacies (OPs) represent a growing field that plays a major role in providing pharmaceutical services in Saudi Arabia (SA). Thus, investigating public awareness of this option and assessing consumers' experiences and satisfaction, as well as opportunities and barriers for OPs, were the main aims of this study.

Participants and methods

In this cross-sectional study, adult participants (≥18 years) in SA completed a three-part, custom-designed online questionnaire. The first section collected information on participants' demographic characteristics, their awareness of the existence of OPs, and history of OP purchases. The second section explores customer satisfaction levels and motivating factors. Finally, the third section investigated non-consumers' reasons for not purchasing from OPs and sought information about services that could motivate them to make future purchase decisions.

Results

In total, 487 participants completed the questionnaire; they were mostly female (65.7%) and younger than 40 years (57.1%). Among all the respondents, 89.3% were aware of the existence of OPs, and 60.2% purchased from OPs in the past. Most were satisfied with the product quality (92.7%), completeness of order delivery (91.2%), and condition of the product and packaging (89.3%). Furthermore, 99.2% of respondents indicated that they would continue to purchase from OPs. Customers' main motivational factors included saving time (85.5%), offers and discounts (83.6%), and variety of products (82.1%). Among non-consumers, the main reasons for not purchasing from OPs included a personal preference to visit a community pharmacy (87.2%), the ability to talk to pharmacists directly (83.6%), and the vicinity of a pharmacy (80.0%).

Conclusions

These findings confirm the increasing level of awareness regarding the existence of OPs in SA. Overall, OP customers expressed satisfaction with the services provided. Nevertheless, various areas of improvement have emerged, such as improved delivery time and providing medical consultation services. Increasing public awareness of OP services provided is essential considering their significant role in reforming the healthcare system in SA.

Evaluation of Current Community Pharmacist Practice in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-sectional Study from Patients' Perspective (PART I)

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the current practice of community pharmacists from patients' and pharmacists' perspectives in Saudi Arabia. This paper presents the patients' perspective.

Methods

A self-administered cross-sectional survey was developed to collect responses from patients in Saudi Arabia from February to April 2021. The questionnaire comprised several statements related to the best practice in community pharmacy. Patients' responses to each statement were scored using a 5-point Likert scale. Higher scores represented the greater extent to which the pharmacists perform the best practice in a community pharmacy setting and vice versa.

Findings

The data of 233 participants were included in the analysis. The majority of the participants were female (67%) and Saudi nationals (96%). The minimum mean score was related to the statement: pharmacist discusses with you about herbal medications or vitamin supplements. The maximum mean score was related to the statement: Pharmacist explains to you about the dose of medications and when to take them. Participants who were <20 years old had a significantly highest mean score, whereas those above 40 years old had the least mean score, P = 0.001. Participants from the Eastern region had a significantly highest mean score, compared to South region participants who had the least mean score, P = 0.009.

Conclusion

A gap in the current practice and the best practice of community pharmacists was found. The policymakers can utilize these findings to provide targeted professional development opportunities for the practicing community pharmacists to improve the overall service and care for the patients.

Attitudes of the general public toward community pharmacy services in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

Aim

This research was conducted to evaluate the attitudes of the general public toward community pharmacy services in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

The current study followed a cross-sectional design using an online anonymous self-administered questionnaire. The study was conducted in Saudi Arabia between February and April 2022. The study participants were selected and recruited using a convenience sampling strategy. The questionnaire was adapted from previous work and involved four sections: demographic information, use of community pharmacy, perception and willingness to use community pharmacist services, and barriers to approaching a community pharmacist for advice.

Results and conclusions

A total of 449 participants agreed to take part in this study and completed the questionnaire. Just above half (55%) of the participants indicated that they had visited a community pharmacy at least once a month over the last 12 months. The most frequently reported reason for visiting community pharmacies was to buy over-the-counter (OTC) medications. The majority (n = 318) of the participants were satisfied or highly satisfied with community pharmacy services in Saudi Arabia. A willingness to use community pharmacy services was expressed mostly for the essential community pharmacist roles, involving selecting over-the-counter products, management of minor ailments, selecting non-pharmaceuticals and receiving counseling on using medications. However, an unwillingness was noted to approach a community pharmacist for counseling on alcohol dependence and drug misuse. Lack of privacy in the community pharmacy was found to be the most frequently reported barrier that would hinder individuals from approaching community pharmacists to get help or advice. Policymakers in Saudi Arabia could considerably advance the community pharmacy practice and improve the public utilization of various community pharmacist services beyond their limited essential roles such as dispensing and counseling.

Public satisfaction with community pharmacists roles as healthcare providers: a cross-sectional study from Jordan

Objectives

In recent years, the responsibilities of community pharmacists have changed significantly. This study aimed to assess Jordanian public satisfaction with community pharmacists’ role as healthcare providers and to evaluate factors affecting their satisfaction level.

Methods

This cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted among the Jordanian public using a convenience sampling approach between May 2022 and June 2022. A link to the self-administered questionnaire was distributed via different social media platforms to be filled by participants willing to participate to evaluate their views and satisfaction of community pharmacists’ role as healthcare providers.

Key findings

In this study, 710 participants agreed to participate in this study. The participants had a median age of 36.0 years and 62.3% of them were female. The most frequent reason for visiting any community pharmacy was purchasing prescription medications (83.1%). The location of the pharmacy was the most selected factor influencing the choice of a particular community pharmacy by the study participants (89.3%). Results showed that respondents had an acceptable satisfaction score about pharmacists’ behaviours and roles (median score of 32.0 out of 40.0). More than 80% of the participants were satisfied with the language used by the pharmacist in discussing drug-related matters (84.9%), with the privacy maintained by the pharmacist while dealing with them (83.1%), with pharmacists’ professionalism in dealing with patients (82.3%), and with the positive relationship between pharmacists and patients (81.0%). Respondents with a higher level of education showed more satisfaction towards pharmacists’ services compared to those with lower levels of education (Beta = 0.088, P = 0.031).

Conclusions

This study demonstrated an acceptable general satisfaction of community pharmacists while conducting their job, yet their role still mainly involves dispensing prescriptions.

The Role of Clinical Pharmacists in Improving Quality of Care in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: An Evaluation of Patients’ and Physicians’ Satisfaction

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic and complex disease that requires a multidisciplinary team, including clinical pharmacists, to improve the quality of care and patient outcome. This present study aimed to assess the satisfaction of patients with IBD and physicians regarding clinical pharmacist interventions in outpatient and inpatient settings. Methods: A survey-based study was performed between 1 March and 1 August 2022 in a tertiary care IBD center. Two different questionnaires were distributed among patients and physicians focusing on satisfaction with the clinical pharmacist services. Patient demographics were obtained. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the results of the survey. Results: A total of 108 patients with IBD and 23 physicians participated in this study. Among study participants, Crohn’s disease (CD) accounted for 64.8% of the total participants, while 35.2% of patients had ulcerative colitis (UC). Regarding the patient survey, most patients were extremely satisfied with clinical pharmacists’ services, during which the majority strongly agreed or agreed that they were satisfied with the counseling session. However, five patients were unsure about the amount of time spent with the clinical pharmacist. There were no patients dissatisfied with any of the services. Finally, two physicians were not sure regarding clinical pharmacists monitoring patients’ responses in of terms of toxicity and adverse effects. Conclusions: the current study illustrates patients’ and physicians’ high satisfaction with clinical pharmacists’ services in outpatient and inpatient settings. The findings of this study as well as previous studies necessitate expanding the clinical pharmacist services in the gastroenterology field.