Qualitative exploration of the education and skill needs of community pharmacists in Saskatoon concerning substance use disorder

Abstract

Background: Identifying the skills and educational needs of community pharmacists concerning addiction is critical to improving the services provided for people who suffer from addiction disease (PWsAD). Methods: Eleven one-to-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with community pharmacists practising in the saskatoon Health region, canada. the interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim and verified with the participants. thematic analysis was employed to analyze the transcripts. Results: Four major themes were identified: 1) effect of the work setting on pharmacists' encounters with PWsAD, 2) pharmacists' knowledge of key aspects of addiction, 3) level of support within the health care system, and 4) educational and training needs. Conclusion: Participants indicated that a lack of knowledge and training were major hindrances to improving the quality of the services provided to people who suffer from addiction disease. Additional practicum experience at the undergraduate level and interprofessional interactive educational sessions at the continuing educational level were key recommendations emerging from the study.

Qualitative Assessment of Patients’ Perspectives and Needs from Community Pharmacists in Substance Use Disorder Management

“…The ndings of the study suggested that the participants' experiences with community pharmacists are generally negative, with many interactions lacking proper counseling and support. Similar to other studies, lack of pharmacist time, stigma(39), lack of privacy (40), and need for additional education for pharmacists (24) were mentioned by participants among the barriers to accessing care in a community pharmacy setting.…”

“…Similar to other pharmacy clients, participants were willing to explore and access the extended services pharmacists can offer beyond the traditional model of dispensing medications (42,77). Paradoxically, pharmacists in Saskatoon expressed a great deal of caution and hesitation when approaching suspected SUD patients to offer help (24). In fact, community pharmacists perceived that it might be offensive to the clients to initiate a discussion in relation to substance use (24).…”

“…Paradoxically, pharmacists in Saskatoon expressed a great deal of caution and hesitation when approaching suspected SUD patients to offer help (24). In fact, community pharmacists perceived that it might be offensive to the clients to initiate a discussion in relation to substance use (24). On the other hand, pharmacists and patients agree on the need for SUD education with an emphasis on the social attachments of SUD treatment (78) and training on proper communication skills (24).…”

“…Studies investigating pharmacists' perspectives regarding SUD found that pharmacists are willing to help and provide services for patients with SUD (23). Also, some pharmacists recognized opportunities in daily practice to intervene and help clients in the early stages of SUD (24).…”

Qualitative assessment of patients’ perspectives and needs from community pharmacists in substance use disorder management

“…The study found that pharmacists are willing to be educators for the public and provide preventative services for clients who use substances [ 15 ]. Some pharmacists also recognized opportunities in daily practice to intervene and help clients in the early stages of SUDs [ 16 ]. On the other hand, pharmacy customers with risky alcohol consumption had a positive attitude regarding utilizing alcohol screening services provided by their regular community pharmacists [ 17 ].…”