Difference in Importance about Consultation Contents of Medicine in Out-of-hours and the Time of the Opening of a Pharmacy and the Evaluation

Abstract

A survey was conducted among patients that use health insurance pharmacies to determine the importance of drug consultation contents that are discussed during holiday and night hours and regular open hours . We investigated differences in the degree of importance in consultation topics for each drug between holiday and night hours and regular open hours . Also, for each time period, we also attempted to identify priority drug consultation topics for multiple medications. Three important consultation topics during holiday and night hours were found to be drug interaction , actions to be taken in an emergency and whether or not to take a medication . When drug consultation topics were compared between holiday and night hours and regular open hours , topics regarding expiration date and indication were found to be of higher importance during regular open hours . In regard to ideal patient consultations at pharmacies, based on the fact that i) the consultation contents differ depending on the patient s background and the time of day, and ii) the patient s needs differ from the topics of information covered when providing medication instructions and other information, the above results suggest that consultations need to be improved and aligned with the patient s needs. Key wordsthe importance of drug consultation contents, holiday and night hours, regular open hours, drug interaction, decision whether or not to take a medication 緒 言 医療の高度化・複雑化や少子高齢社会の進展等 に伴い，薬局と薬剤師を取り巻く環境は，これま でにない大きな変革期を迎えている． このような状況のなか，厚生労働省は，患者本 位の医薬分業の実現に向けて， 2015 年 10 月に「患 者のための薬局ビジョン～「門前」から「かかり つけ」 ， そして「地域」へ～」 1) (以下「薬局ビジョ ン」 )を策定し，薬局再編の全体像を「立地から 機能へ」と薬局のあるべき姿の転換を示し，かか りつけ薬局機能や健康サポート機能の一層の強化 を目指した取り組みを推進することとしている． この「薬局ビジョン」では，多くの患者視点が 盛り込まれているが，今後，薬局のかかりつけ機 能を強化するためには，24 時間対応や各種相談 対応の充実は重要であり，平成 26 年度厚生労働 省保険局医療課委託調査「薬局の機能に係る実態 調査」 2) においても，60％以上の患者が薬局の休 日・夜間の対応が重要であると回答している．ま た，国はかかりつけ薬局・薬剤師としての役割を 発揮するための大きな方針として， 「対物業務か

<p>Patients’ Attitudes, Awareness, and Opinions About Community Pharmacies in Japan: Next Steps for the Health Support Pharmacy System</p>

“…Osanai et al reported that only 22.0% of the community residents had a desire to contact their pharmacies outside of normal operating hours (eg holidays, night-time) to consult about medications. 35 These trends suggest that rather than simply keeping the pharmacy offices open, ensuring that the pharmacists are available anytime for phone consultations, including holidays and at night, would better satisfy the public’s needs.…”

Perspectives on the Continuous Medication Monitoring Function of Pharmacies in the Community Health Care System: A Nationwide Survey in Japan

“…In a previous study, we investigated the status of consultation services regarding drugs dispensed at pharmacies on public holidays and during night hours, which is a basic function of a pharmacy. In addition, we investigated the content of these consultations and assessed the users' characteristicsand and respective needs 1,2) . Currently, pharmacies in some areas provide 24-hour consultation services.…”