Community pharmacist-initiated screening program for osteoporosis: randomized controlled trial

Abstract

A pharmacist screening program doubled the number of patients tested for osteoporosis. Nevertheless, many patients eligible for BMD did not receive appropriate care suggesting more intensive interventions are needed.

Community Pharmacist-Provided Osteoporosis Screening and Education: Impact on Patient Knowledge

“…[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] In this study and previous studies, the education provided by pharmacists included an overview of osteoporosis, appropriate calcium and vitamin D intake, lifestyle measures for prevention (i.e. weight-bearing exercise, smoking cessation), and results from screenings performed.…”

“…6,7 The duration of the education sessions in this study was appropriate, based on the previous literature citing education sessions between 10 and 20 minutes. 5,6,10,13 However, the literature is absent of studies evaluating the impact of a pharmacist provided osteoporosis screening and education service on patient knowledge.…”

“…Community pharmacists, as highly accessible health care providers, have effectively screened patients using heel ultrasonometers and used the results to provide education and to refer high-risk patients to physicians for further evaluation and management. [4][5][6][7] Patients participating in osteoporosis screening services conducted by community pharmacists were satisfied with the service. [8][9] Several studies evaluated the effect pharmacist-provided osteoporosis screenings had on patient behaviors, such as discussing their screening result with a physician or taking calcium supplements.…”

Community Pharmacy and Mail Order Cost and Utilization for 90-Day Maintenance Medication Prescriptions

“…17,18 Several published studies have demonstrated positive health outcomes and health care cost savings as a result of community pharmacists' direct involvement with patient care. [19][20][21][22] Although several studies have compared community pharmacy and mail order with respect to cost containment and patient satisfaction, there was variation in benefit design; few have investigated patient choice of distribution channel for filling 90-day supplies of maintenance medications when benefits are equivalent. In a recently published retrospective cohort study of revealed pharmacy preference, found that when patients were given a choice between mail service and community pharmacy for 90-day supply dispensing, 44% of patients new to therapy chose community pharmacy, and 32% of those previously mandated to use mail chose community pharmacy.…”

Evaluating Pharmacist Level of Involvement in disease Prevention Activities in Nigeria

“…[13][14] These unique characteristics have the potential to provide a large population pool in community pharmacies that could be a target of preventive health services. Evidence exists in literature to support involvement of pharmacists in a broad range of activities including advice on preventive health, [15][16] diet and healthy eating [17][18] , smoking cessation, [19][20] sexual health services including emergency hormonal contraceptives, [21][22] cardiovascular risk reduction, [23][24][25] cancer prevention, 26 osteoporosis risk assessment and reduction, [27][28] and other aspects of preventive health care. [29][30] …”