McMillan Sara S, King Michelle A, Stapleton Helen, Sav Adem, Kelly Fiona, Wheeler Amanda J
Quality Use of Medicines Network, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Southport, Qld, Australia.
School of Human Services and Social Work, Griffith University, Logan Campus, Meadowbrook, Qld, Australia.
Int J Pharm Pract. 2019 Feb;27(1):34-44. doi: 10.1111/ijpp.12454. Epub 2018 May 6.
Unpaid carers have many and varied responsibilities in society, which can include medication management for the person they support. However, the potential for Australian community pharmacies to better assist carers is relatively unexplored. This mixed-methods study investigated the acceptability of a local carer support service by trained community pharmacy staff, including issues regarding the implementation and impact of this service.
Staff from 11 community pharmacies in South East Queensland, Australia, were trained to deliver a six-step carer support service between September 2016 and March 2017. Pharmacies were supported by a carer and pharmacist mentor pair and asked to recruit up to six carers each. Evaluations of staff training were descriptively analysed. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with pharmacy staff, and interview transcripts were analysed thematically.
Staff training evaluations were positive; participants acquired new information about carers and rated the service highly in terms of its importance within the pharmacy setting. Feedback was obtained on how to improve the training, such as further opportunities for role-play. Seven staff members were interviewed, and data analysis revealed two main themes: (1) implementation of the carer support service and (2) perceived impact on pharmacy staff. Positive attitudes towards recognising and supporting carers, and training and mentoring were identified with community pharmacies viewed as a suitable place for delivering this new service. New insights into the impact of caring were widely reported, which staff had not appreciated from previous carer interactions. Structural issues, including space and time pressures, and a lack of awareness about the types of support currently available to carers were emphasised.
Pharmacy staff are well positioned to support carers. Engaging carers in conversation to better understand their needs is a small step with potential for big gains, including a more empathetic understanding of their individual circumstances and overall well-being.
unpaid carers在社会中承担着诸多不同的责任，其中可能包括为他们所照顾的人进行药物管理。然而，澳大利亚社区药房在更好地协助照顾者方面的潜力尚未得到充分探索。这项混合方法研究调查了经过培训的社区药房工作人员对当地照顾者支持服务的可接受性，包括该服务的实施和影响方面的问题。
2016年9月至2017年3月期间，对澳大利亚昆士兰州东南部11家社区药房的工作人员进行培训，以提供一项六步骤的照顾者支持服务。每家药房由一名照顾者和一名药剂师导师提供支持，并要求每家招募多达六名照顾者。对工作人员培训进行描述性分析。对药房工作人员进行半结构化访谈，并对访谈记录进行主题分析。
工作人员培训评估是积极的；参与者获得了有关照顾者的新信息，并高度评价了该服务在药房环境中的重要性。获得了关于如何改进培训的反馈，例如增加角色扮演的机会。采访了七名工作人员，数据分析揭示了两个主要主题：（1）照顾者支持服务的实施和（2）对药房工作人员的感知影响。社区药房对认可和支持照顾者以及培训和指导持积极态度，被视为提供这项新服务的合适场所。广泛报告了对照顾影响的新见解，这些见解是工作人员在以前与照顾者的互动中未曾体会到的。强调了结构问题，包括空间和时间压力，以及对照顾者目前可获得的支持类型缺乏认识。
药房工作人员有能力支持照顾者。与照顾者进行交谈以更好地了解他们的需求是一小步，但可能带来巨大收益，包括更能感同身受地理解他们的个人情况和整体福祉。
