Assessment of the Community Pharmacists’ Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Pain and Pain Management in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background Pain is a global health issue that affects an individual’s quality of life. Its alleviation and management will enhance patients’ experience. Community pharmacists can help manage pain severity through their valuable roles in medical teams and by managing the consequences of pain. Objective This study aimed to evaluate community pharmacists’ knowledge and attitudes toward pain and pain management in Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed to evaluate community pharmacists’ knowledge and attitudes toward pain and pain management in Saudi Arabia. Pharmacists aged ≥ 21 years, with a degree in pharmacy were included in this study. Each respondent participated in an online survey covering cancer-oriented pain and assessment of pain; pharmacology; abuse of substances; and physical dependence. An independent t -test and One-way ANOVA, with least significant difference as a post-hoc test, were employed, in addition to the General Linear Regression Model using Main Effect as the model. Results This study revealed that the pain-related knowledge and attitude among community pharmacists in Saudi Arabia were inadequate. Age (p = 0.003), work experience (p = 0.036), nature of work (p = 0.001), and work location (p = 0.003) were determined as significant factors affecting their overall knowledge and attitude toward pain. Conclusion Overall, attempts to expand community pharmacists’ knowledge and foster an appropriate attitude toward pain management among them in Saudi Arabia are highly recommended. Additional academic courses, studies, and tailored neuroscience courses will improve their awareness and knowledge of pain and pain management.

Community Pharmacists’ Knowledge and Attitude Towards Opioid Pain Medication Use in Bahir Dar City, North-West Ethiopia

“…18 Not only, pharmacists, but also physicians and nurses possess insufficient knowledge of pain and pain medication which urgently requires the need for more training and education on this burning issue. 22 This study revealed that more than three-fifths (61%) of the community pharmacists working in Bahir Dar City had less stigmatizing behavior toward opioid use problems. This implies that a significant number of pharmacists (around two-fifths) had stigmatizing behavior for opioid use and opioid use problems.…”

“…31 Similarly, a study conducted in Saudi Arabia also revealed the positive role of experience on the overall knowledge and attitude towards pain management. 22 This difference might be due to the higher exposure time in the pharmacy setting, which enhances patient handling, as it is part of the patient care process.…”

Public Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding the Use of Over-The-Counter (OTC) Analgesics in Indonesia: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Community pharmacies are pivotal in delivering over-the-counter analgesics, as they offer a convenient avenue for individuals seeking pain relief. 8 The data highlights the significant contribution of community pharmacies in providing patient education and counseling on the proper use of analgesics. Previous study by Murphy et al, 20 stated that pharmacists must engage and guide patients actively, offering essential information on appropriate dosages, potential side effects, and necessary precautions when obtaining analgesics.…”

“…6 Evaluating knowledge regarding potential adverse effects, appropriate dosages, contraindications, and potential drug interactions associated with analgesic use is of utmost importance. 7,8 The use of analgesics is also influenced by attitudes toward pain management and the tendency toward self-medication as an alternative to seeking medical advice. 4,[6][7][8] Pain reporting tends to be more common among women, older individuals, and those with lower socioeconomic status.…”

“…7,8 The use of analgesics is also influenced by attitudes toward pain management and the tendency toward self-medication as an alternative to seeking medical advice. 4,[6][7][8] Pain reporting tends to be more common among women, older individuals, and those with lower socioeconomic status. The prevalence of chronic pain among adults in Asian countries varies widely, ranging from 7.1% to 90.8%, depending on the measurement methods used.…”