Public perspective toward extended community pharmacy services in sub-national Saudi Arabia: An online cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background In many developed countries, the scope of community pharmacy services has extended to include advanced applications. Unlike traditional practices that focus on pharmaceutical sales, extended community pharmacy services (ECPSs) are patient-centred and typically offered by specialised healthcare centres, which improve public health, reduce pressure imposed on healthcare professionals, and rationalise health system expenditures. However, based on the findings of several studies, community pharmacies (CPs) only provide marginalised services. Public reviews are thus crucial to effectively utilise such services. This study explored CPs use among the Saudi public in terms of knowledge, attitudes, and barriers to ECPSs. Materials and methods We conducted a cross-sectional web-based survey of a non-probability sample between October and December 2021. Numerical and graphical descriptive statistics were employed with an additional analytical assessment using binary logistic regression to determine the association between participant characteristics and the barriers to ECPSs use. Results A total of 563 individuals participated in this study, approximately 33% of which revealed CPs as the first place they visit for medication concerns. Most individuals were not aware of medication therapy management and health screening services (77% and 68%, respectively). Pharmacy clinics offering private counselling and receiving patient electronic medical records were unknown to the participants (78% and 63%, respectively). A substantial proportion of the cohort considered lack of privacy (58%) and inadequate communication with community pharmacists (56%) as key barriers to the use of ECPSs. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the underdeveloped infrastructure of CPs was significantly associated with almost all factors. Conclusion Most services and facilities were found to be underutilised. Positive public attitudes were associated with concerns regarding privacy and cost of services. Consistent with Saudi Vision 2030, supporting CPs and increasing the public awareness of ECPSs have significant implications on public health.

Patient Satisfaction with Private Community Pharmacies versus Pharmacies in Primary Health Care Centers in Saudi Arabia

“…The results of the study, which included a total of 91,317 participants, indicated that overall, after controlling for other characteristics, patients in Saudi Arabia are more satisfied with the pharmaceutical services available in government-run PHCs than they are with private CPs using Wasfaty. Similarly, Alghamdi et al (2023) stated that approximately 56 % of survey study participants in Saudi Arabia had resistance to using CPs due to ineffective communication with pharmacists ( Alghamdi et al, 2023 ). Additionally, 45 % of participants highlighted the absence of interprofessional collaboration between physicians and community pharmacists as a hindrance to using CPs ( Alghamdi et al, 2023 ) Although pharmacists themselves held positive attitudes towards private CPs, they expressed the need for additional training to effectively engage in providing services in CPs ( Alghamdi et al, 2023 ).…”

“…Similarly, Alghamdi et al (2023) stated that approximately 56 % of survey study participants in Saudi Arabia had resistance to using CPs due to ineffective communication with pharmacists ( Alghamdi et al, 2023 ). Additionally, 45 % of participants highlighted the absence of interprofessional collaboration between physicians and community pharmacists as a hindrance to using CPs ( Alghamdi et al, 2023 ) Although pharmacists themselves held positive attitudes towards private CPs, they expressed the need for additional training to effectively engage in providing services in CPs ( Alghamdi et al, 2023 ).…”

“…Several factors contribute to this disparity; for example, Janssen and colleagues, reported that the satisfaction of female patients with services, in particular, in Ob/Gyn clinics, was determined by providers' sex (more satisfaction with female providers), providers' race/ethnicity, and patient-centered communication style ( Janssen and Lagro-Janssen, 2012 ). This suggests that female satisfaction with pharmacy services i.e., explanation and providing more information about medication use in Saudi Arabia may be influenced by the pharmacists' sex and patient-provider communication style ( Alghamdi et al, 2023 , Bawazir, 2004 ). Further studies should examine factors affecting satisfaction with health care services among female patients, especially among those who visit Ob/Gyn clinics, to improve patient-reported outcomes in Saudi Arabia.…”

Overcoming Electronic Medical Records Adoption Challenges in Saudi Arabia

“…The perspective of the Saudi public towards extended community pharmacy services (ECPSs), as explored by Alghamdi et al (2023), provides insight into the broader context of healthcare digitalization, indicating a generally positive attitude but also significant barriers such as privacy concerns and communication challenges with healthcare professionals [3].…”

Assessing Public Awareness, Utilization and Satisfaction with Community Pharmacy Services

“…10,11 Although the Saudi community pharmacy sector had undergone substantial reforms, several studies indicated that people were unaware of services provided in a community setting. [12][13][14] Being unaware of the service impacts its utilization and consequently may affect patients' health outcomes.…”