Missing in action: Insights from an exploratory ethnographic observation study of alcohol in everyday UK community pharmacy practice.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS

This paper reports on an exploratory ethnographic observation study which aimed to understand how alcohol fits into routine service provision in the New Medicine Service (NMS), Medication Use Reviews (MUR) and pharmacists' everyday practices in UK community pharmacies.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Observations were undertaken in five community pharmacies featuring nine community pharmacists. This involved observation of 16 MURs and 15 NMS consultations and informal interviews with pharmacists as they conducted their work. Fieldnotes were subjected to a constructionist thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Pharmacists were underprepared and unconfident in discussing alcohol in medicine consultations. Most pharmacists raised alcohol consumption in the MUR and NMS as part of a 'lifestyle check'. They reported that alcohol was difficult to raise, and to discuss and that people were reluctant to talk about their drinking. Their main concern was that raising the topic would alienate customers.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

These findings raise questions regarding a range of issues about how pharmacists discuss alcohol in medicines consultations, why they lack a clear sense of purpose in doing so and therefore where alcohol fits into UK community pharmacy practice.