Clinical outcomes and satisfaction with a pharmacist-managed travel clinic in Alberta, Canada.

BACKGROUND

In Alberta, Canada, authorized pharmacists may prescribe medications and vaccines and administer injections. Some have implemented travel clinics to meet the growing demand for pre-travel consultations. As a new service, the outcomes of independent pharmacist-performed pre-travel consultations is unknown.

METHODS

Chart review and post-travel surveys were performed among a convenience sample of patients presenting to a pharmacist-managed travel clinic for consultation. Data collected included patients' travel plans, recommendations for vaccines and other prescription and non-prescription drugs and adherence to these recommendations, satisfaction with the service, and health issues experienced during travel.

RESULTS

103 patients participated in the study. The overwhelming majority (79%) of recommended vaccinations were administered in clinic. The post-travel questionnaire was completed by 76% of patients, with 94% of these reporting being satisfied or very satisfied with the care received. Health issues during travel were infrequent, with gastrointestinal illness most common. Of those patients who experienced any health issue during their trip, 93% felt adequately prepared to manage the condition.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reports positive patient satisfaction and health status while travelling following a pharmacist-performed pre-travel consultation including authorization to prescribe and to administer vaccines. These results support the continued expansion of pharmacists' scope in this area.