Abstract
INTRODUCTION: An increasing emphasis is being put on the contribution and role of pharmacists in improvement in care of asthma. In Scotland, pharmacists are already playing an ever increasing part in the management of people with asthma. Previous work had suggested that barriers (lack of training and resources) hindered optimum involvement of pharmacists in asthma care. This survey aimed to assess the current role of community pharmacists in Scotland in providing information and advice to people with asthma. METHOD: Stratified by health authority and size, pharmacists from a 1:4 random sample of all Scottish pharmacies completed a telephone questionnaire. Data included details on location, staff, facilities, training, patient education, and communication and was analysed using SPSS. RESULTS: Presented as raw figures with weighted percentages to be representative of Scotland. 258 pharmacies were contacted and a total of 254(98%) pharmacists completed the interview questionnaire. Of these, 133(54%) said that the premises in which they were working had ‘private’ consulting facilities; in 45(16%) this was in a room or cubicle separate from the main shop. 66(26%) had attended an accredited asthma training course. All had dispensed asthma medication in the past week; 111(43%) had given advice on inhaler technique to customers, and 69(27%) had provided advice on deteriorating symptoms. 85(32.5%) had liaised with general practice in the previous year about asthma issues. Those with asthma training [66(26%)] were more likely to have liaised with GPs in their area about asthma issues [p<0.001], and given advice to customers on deteriorating symptoms [p<0.01]. CONCLUSION: The results from this survey indicate that barriers continue to exist and that community pharmacists need more support and resources if they are to provide a service to people with asthma which can integrate with the care offered by health professionals in primary and secondary care.