How is mental health care provided through community pharmacies? A quest for improvement
Pharm. pract. (Granada, Internet)
; 20(2): 1-12, Apr.-jun. 2022. tab
Article
in En
| IBECS
| ID: ibc-210414
Responsible library:
ES1.1
Localization: ES15.1 - BNCS
ABSTRACT
Background: Mental disease burden is increasing globally, and a substantial shortage of mental health professionals remains. Community pharmacists can improve population mental health outcomes to bridge the mental health care gap. However, there is a paucity of data on community pharmacists provision of mental health care. Objective: To assess community pharmacist-delivered care to people with mental illness in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), focusing on dispensing and counseling practices, pharmacists confidence and comfort in providing care, and attitudes and beliefs towards mental illness. Methods: This was a mixed-methods study with an exploratory, sequential design. Semi-structured interviews explored community pharmacists practices, challenges and strategies to improve care. Data were analyzed thematically, and the results guided questionnaire development. The questionnaire was also informed by the Framework of Core Mental Health Competencies for All Pharmacy Professionals and other relevant literature and administered to community pharmacists in four out of seven emirates. Logistic regression was used to identify the predictors of pharmacist practices. Results: In the interviews, community pharmacists described adopting a precautionary attitude and perceived their role as a dispensing one. They reported challenges such as emotional discomfort and lack of training but highlighted the need for a different approach to patients with mental illness. In total, 252 pharmacists completed the questionnaire, and 74% reported performing at least five counseling practices. Logistic regression showed that pharmacists who performed a higher number of practices (≥5) were younger, received continuing education on mental health care in the last two years, and had higher confidence levels. (AU)
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
06-national
/
ES
Database:
IBECS
Main subject:
Pharmacies
/
Mental Health
/
Mental Disorders
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
En
Journal:
Pharm. pract. (Granada, Internet)
Year:
2022
Document type:
Article