management of health promotion by Jordanian pharmacists

ABSTRACT

Pharmacists are increasingly being held accountable for their patients' health outcomes. This accountability is not limited to clinical outcomes, but also includes responsibility for the effects of disease and treatment on patients' quality of life [QoL]. Indeed, QoL is a centerpiece of the philosophy of pharmaceutical care. Health Promotion and Disease Prevention is one of the major domains of pharmaceutical activities. Specific activities include developing health programming and assisting patients in making lifestyle changes to improve health outcomes. A major core activity in pharmaceutical educational goals is addressed by our College of Pharmacy in order to incorporate education in health promotion and disease prevention. Any pharmacist may participate in health promotion and those working in community and hospital practice are well placed to do so. The purpose of this work was to identify the preperedness of pharmacists to counsel their patients and how the Jordanian pharmacists' see and manage health promotion as part of their responsibility. A survey instrument was constructed in order to extend the benefit of this study to patients, health care providers, or to a third party. Health promotion beliefs, the pharmacists' confidence in their ability to help patients change their behavior and the perceived barriers to integrating prevention into daily practice were measured. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version-10 program. Results of the study indicate that pharmacists most frequently participate in health education/disease-preventing activities directly related to the dispensing or selling of medications. Pharmacists, uniquely positioned as the most accessible health care providers in the community, can dedicate their considerable strengths to organize their own efforts and motivate their patients. The majority of pharmacists claimed the need for Continuous Education CE programs that should be directed toward sharpening pharmacists' skills in health promotion