Patient Screenings for Preconception Health Interventions at a Community Pharmacy

Abstract

Preconception health refers to health before pregnancy and involves addressing risk factors that can negatively impact either a patient or future pregnancy. Pharmacists can play an essential role in screening for and managing patients’ risk factors to optimize pregnancy outcomes. The primary objective of this study is to determine whether preconception health screenings in community pharmacy settings identify opportunities for preconception health services, particularly pharmacy-based interventions. The secondary objectives are to describe the preconception health status of community pharmacy patients and their interest in receiving preconception care services by a clinical pharmacist in a community pharmacy setting. Two independent pharmacies conducted a pilot project where people were invited to complete a health screening form that evaluated their preconception health. Participants received a personalized health report with an invitation to meet with the clinical pharmacist for services related to identified opportunities, such as contraception and immunizations. Retrospective analysis was conducted for data collected from 43 women during the patient screening effort in three community pharmacy settings (two independent community pharmacy locations and one neighborhood pharmacy outreach event). Nearly all participants (n = 42, 98%) had at least one opportunity identified to receive preconception care services, with the majority related to their alcohol use (60%). A majority of participants (56%) indicated an interest in learning more about preconception services offered at the pharmacy, but only 19% wanted to schedule an appointment with a pharmacist. Thus, there is an apparent need and opportunity for utilization of preconception health services at the pharmacy.

Prevention of alcohol related harm though preconception care: A scoping review of barriers and enablers

“…Of the 23 included articles ( Table 2 ), three solely involved health professionals [ [20] , [21] , [22] ]. A further five elicited the attitudes and beliefs of HCPs and women within the same study [ [23] , [24] , [25] , [26] , [27] ], and 15 solely involved women [ [28] , [29] , [30] , [31] , [32] , [33] , [34] , [35] , [36] , [37] , [38] , [39] , [40] , [41] , [42] ].…”

Community Pharmacist-Led Interventions to Improve Preconception and Pregnancy Health: A Systematic Review

“…The literature search identified 1478 articles, and an additional two articles were identified through searching of reference lists. Following screening of titles and abstracts, ten articles were eligible for full text screening, of which four were included [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ] and six excluded [ 16 , 17 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ]. Reasons for exclusion included incorrect intervention setting, inappropriate study design or a target population that did not include pregnant women or those planning pregnancy.…”

“…A systematic review in 2019 demonstrated uptake and acceptance of contraceptive interventions provided by community pharmacists and highlighted the opportunities to expand and integrate preconception care services including counselling on folic acid use [ 38 ]. Furthermore, a US study identified numerous opportunities in community pharmacy settings for pharmacists to provide preconception care services including screening for folic acid supplementation [ 26 ]. Together with the findings of this review, public health initiatives should consider community-based pharmacists to deliver interventions to improve folic acid knowledge and usage in preconception women.…”

Evaluation of a Continuing Pharmacy Education Program on Pharmacologic Interventions for Healthy Pregnancies

“…This study provides the first insights of knowledge, comfort, and motivation among pharmacists regarding the provision of pharmacologic interventions for healthy pregnancies. After (13) Pharmacists can identify eligible patients by screening for medications related to pregnancy or postpartum management, as well as addressing medication safety concerns during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Pharmacists can also provide chronic disease state management to reduce risk of preeclampsia in current or future pregnancies.…”