Managing chemotherapy-related toxicities in the community setting: A survey of pharmacists in Ontario

Abstract

Background: Toxicity management is a challenge with cancer treatment, including oral anticancer drugs. A review of claims data showed that a majority of publically funded oral anticancer drugs were filled in the community where pharmacists may not necessarily possess the specialized knowledge, skills, and experience required to provide effective patient care. A survey of community pharmacists in Ontario was conducted to identify the behaviours and preferences of community pharmacists specific to the management of treatment-related toxicities in order to standardize cancer care in this area. Methods: An electronic questionnaire was distributed to approximately 5000 community pharmacists. The 21-question survey gathered information on the demographic profile of the pharmacists, basic geographic and socioeconomic variables associated with their practice setting, current toxicity management practices, education and training needs, and preferences for communicating with other providers. Results: Of 349 pharmacists, almost all (94.9%) were interested in managing chemotherapy-related toxicities as part of their work, but the majority (77.1%) did not feel that their current level of pharmacy training has provided them with an oncology education sufficient for the demands of their practice. Approximately 52% of respondents indicated that they have reached out to the health care provider at a cancer centre, and of those, 72.7% reported that their questions were resolved within 48 h. More than half of all survey respondents (53.9%) indicated that they would prefer to receive a response within 12 h from cancer centres. Conclusions: The results of this study support the need to provide community pharmacists with oncology-specific training and timely correspondences from providers at prescribing institutions in order to manage toxicities.

Predictors of community pharmacists’ readiness to manage the effective and safe use of oral anticancer medicines in a developing setting

“…This finding is similar to that of a Canadian study that showed that 77% of community pharmacists identified the insufficiency of their oncology training to manage toxicities related to oral anticancer medicines. 31 The finding is also consistent with that of Abbott et al who reported that 67.6% of community pharmacists felt that they did not receive adequate knowledge on cancer treatments through CPDs or undergraduate training. 23 Furthermore, the current study showed that readiness score was significantly higher among respondents who reported adequacy of content related to OAMs during undergraduate training.…”

Community Pharmacy Staff’s Knowledge, Educational Needs, and Barriers Related to Counseling Cancer Patients and Cancer Survivors in Denmark

“…However, pharmacists and pharmaconomists stated that it was important to gain more knowledge about cancer treatment in order to counsel cancer patients/survivors at the community pharmacy. Pharmacy staff's knowledge could be improved through undergraduate oncology education and intensive continuous education programs [41,42]. Currently, oncology education for pharmacists or pharmaconomists does not exist in Denmark.…”