Why people seek advice from community pharmacies about skin problems.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to explore the reasons why patients with undiagnosed skin problems seek advice at pharmacies.

METHODS

Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with patients presenting at pharmacies requesting advice for their own (or their child's) undiagnosed skin problem.

KEY FINDINGS

Twenty-five patients were interviewed. Key themes around choice of pharmacy were convenience of professional advice, triage to general practitioner (GP) care if warranted, inaccessibility of GP care and perceived non-serious nature of the condition. Interviewees also described high levels of trust in their pharmacists. Few concerns were noted, but those that were centred on lack of privacy and the potential for misdiagnosis. Almost all participants felt positive about their pharmacy care and would re-visit for future skin problems.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with undiagnosed skin problems seek advice from pharmacies for reasons of professional advice, accessibility, familiarity and trust and because they perceive their conditions as non-serious.