Evaluating the appropriateness of a community pharmacy model for a colorectal cancer screening program in Catalonia (Spain)

Abstract

Background The traditional model of community pharmacy has changed, with patients, caregivers and consumers having access to many cognitive services other than the traditional dispensing and supply of medicines. In December 2009, a population-based colorectal cancer screening program started in Barcelona, introducing the community pharmacist and the professional expertise of the pharmacist into the organisational model. Aim To evaluate the program implementation process in the pharmacies, identify barriers and facilitators, and know the opinion of the professionals involved in the colorectal cancer screening program in Catalonia (Spain). Methods Cross-sectional study of the pharmacies that participated in the first round of the program during the first and second trimester of 2010 in Barcelona. A validated questionnaire was used to analyse several functional aspects in the implementation process. Qualitative aspects about the opinion of the pharmacist were studied. A descriptive and bivariate analysis was performed. Results All the pharmacies involved in the program (n = 74) participated in the study. The majority of the sample population was composed of women (70.3%), mean age 44.9 years, and most of them (74%) had attended a specific training session. Pharmacists considered their participation in the program to be an added value to their professional role and a way to increase consumer's confidence on this kind of services. The average time to provide the service was estimated to be less than 10 minutes per consumer. Only three (4.1%) pharmacists considered that the program involved a lot of extra work in the daily activities of the pharmacy. The level of satisfaction of the pharmacists was very high. Conclusions Community pharmacies can be a successful alternative and great resource to implement a population cancer screening program. This functional model can improve the accessibility and participation rates on target population. The level of motivation of the community pharmacist, the specific training program and the perception to give a better care for their patients can be an enabler.

Knowledge and attitudes of pharmacists towards colorectal cancer health education in Jordan: A cross‐sectional study

“…32,46 Recent studies have evaluated the role of pharmacy-based CRC screening interventions and the impact of community pharmacist as the first line in CRC risk counselling and screening. 22,45,47 In these studies, pharmacists have shown high levels of attitudes, satisfaction and motivation in participation of different CRC screening interventions and to act as the role model in delivering many cognitive services beyond drug dispensing particularly providing home FOBT to eligible patients as well as CRC screening education. Collectively, these studies indicate that positive attitude of pharmacists could be reflected on public involvement in CRC screening initiatives.…”

Health promotion of bowel cancer and breast cancer screening in community pharmacies: Pharmacists’ perceptions of their role, knowledge and confidence

“…Pharmacists perceive this role to be important because they recognise the need for increased cancer screening, feel they can influence consumers to engage in screening and believe consumers appreciate this service 26-29. Pharmacists consider the promotion of cancer screening to add value to their role, and to increase consumers’ confidence in them as health professionals 30…”

Low participation in organized colorectal cancer screening in France: underlying ethical issues

“…In Netherland the introduction of FIT test enclosed within the invitation mailed results in the participation rate above 65% (Toes-Zoutendijk et al, 2017). Implication of pharmacists have also been shown to be a successful alternative, with good results in terms of participation and sustainability of the whole process (Mancini et al, 2016) (Santolaya et al, 2017).…”