Strengthening patients' triage in community pharmacies: A cluster randomised controlled trial to evaluate the clinical impact of a minor ailment service.
Details
Serval ID
serval:BIB_750EEA55B684
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Strengthening patients' triage in community pharmacies: A cluster randomised controlled trial to evaluate the clinical impact of a minor ailment service.
Journal
PloS one
ISSN
1932-6203 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
1932-6203
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2022
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Editor
Abdelbasset Walid Kamal
Volume
17
Number
10
Pages
e0275252
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Randomized Controlled Trial ; Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Publication Status: epublish
Publication Status: epublish
Abstract
Self-perceived minor ailments might conceal other health conditions if patients are not appropriately assisted by health care professionals. The aim of the study was to evaluate the patient-related outcomes of a community pharmacy Minor Ailment Service (MAS) compared to usual pharmacist care (UC).
A cluster randomised controlled trial was conducted over six months in community pharmacy in the province of Valencia (Spain). Patients seeking care or requesting a product for a minor ailments considered in the study (dermatological problems, gastrointestinal disturbance, pain and upper respiratory tract related symptoms) were included. The intervention consisted of a standardised pharmacist-patient consultation guided by a web-based program using co-developed management protocols and patients' educational material. Patients were followed up by phone ten days later. Primary clinical outcomes were appropriate medical referral and modification of direct product request. Secondary outcomes were symptom resolution and reconsultation rates.
A total of 808 patients (323 MAS and 485 UC) were recruited in 27 pharmacies of 21 municipalities. Patients visiting MAS pharmacies had higher odds for being referred to a physician (OR = 2.343, CI95% = [1.146-4.792]) and higher reconsultation rates (OR = 1.833, CI95% = [1.151-2.919]) compared to UC. No significant differences between groups were observed for modification of direct product request and symptom resolution.
The use of management protocols through the MAS strengthened the identification of referral criteria such as red flags in patients suffering minor ailments. These patients with symptoms of minor ailments possibly due to more severe illness were to be referred and evaluated by physicians. Results reinforce that MAS increases safety for those patients consulting in community pharmacy for minor ailments.
Trial registration number: ISRCTN17235323. Retrospectively registered 07/05/2021, https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN17235323.
A cluster randomised controlled trial was conducted over six months in community pharmacy in the province of Valencia (Spain). Patients seeking care or requesting a product for a minor ailments considered in the study (dermatological problems, gastrointestinal disturbance, pain and upper respiratory tract related symptoms) were included. The intervention consisted of a standardised pharmacist-patient consultation guided by a web-based program using co-developed management protocols and patients' educational material. Patients were followed up by phone ten days later. Primary clinical outcomes were appropriate medical referral and modification of direct product request. Secondary outcomes were symptom resolution and reconsultation rates.
A total of 808 patients (323 MAS and 485 UC) were recruited in 27 pharmacies of 21 municipalities. Patients visiting MAS pharmacies had higher odds for being referred to a physician (OR = 2.343, CI95% = [1.146-4.792]) and higher reconsultation rates (OR = 1.833, CI95% = [1.151-2.919]) compared to UC. No significant differences between groups were observed for modification of direct product request and symptom resolution.
The use of management protocols through the MAS strengthened the identification of referral criteria such as red flags in patients suffering minor ailments. These patients with symptoms of minor ailments possibly due to more severe illness were to be referred and evaluated by physicians. Results reinforce that MAS increases safety for those patients consulting in community pharmacy for minor ailments.
Trial registration number: ISRCTN17235323. Retrospectively registered 07/05/2021, https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN17235323.
Keywords
Humans, Pharmacies, Triage, Community Pharmacy Services, Referral and Consultation, Pharmacists
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
04/11/2022 11:44
Last modification date
21/04/2023 7:11