J Am Pharm Assoc (2003). 2021 Nov-Dec;61(6):e42-e51. doi: 10.1016/j.japh.2021.07.010. Epub 2021 Jul 21.
Although Kentucky pharmacists recently gained authority to provide protocol-driven care for 13 conditions, provision of prescription hormonal contraception (HC) services is not currently authorized. A board-approved protocol allowing for provision of nonprescription over-the-counter (OTC) emergency contraception (EC) was recently approved by the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy but has yet to be implemented.
The objectives of this study were (1) to assess Kentucky pharmacists' interest in providing prescription HC and OTC EC services via protocol and (2) to identify perceived benefits/barriers regarding provision of prescription HC.
An online questionnaire was disseminated electronically to a convenience sample of Kentucky pharmacists. The questionnaire collected (1) demographic information, (2) opinions regarding provision of prescription HC and OTC EC, and (3) perceived benefits and barriers regarding provision of prescription HC. For analysis, responses were limited to pharmacists in community-based practice. McNemar's test was used to identify statistically significant differences in support by dosage form. In addition, a multivariable logistic regression model was used to examine associations between demographic factors and support for pharmacist provision of prescription HC.
We received 151 responses from community-based pharmacists. Support for provision of prescription HC was highest for oral (61%) and transdermal (54%) forms. We found no statistically significant differences in support among demographic factors other than number of years in practice, with more recent graduates being at higher odds of support. In addition, time, reimbursement, training, and belief in the need for pelvic exams were the most commonly cited barriers to implementation. With regard to OTC EC provision, pharmacists were largely supportive (62%) and confident in their abilities.
Community-based pharmacists in Kentucky are supportive of provision of oral, vaginal, and transdermal prescription HC as well as OTC EC via protocol. Barriers, including time, reimbursement, training, and belief in the need for pelvic exams, should be addressed to increase support for prescription HC provision.
尽管肯塔基州的药剂师最近获得了为 13 种疾病提供协议驱动护理的授权，但目前尚未授权提供处方荷尔蒙避孕（HC）服务。最近，肯塔基州药剂师委员会批准了一项经委员会批准的协议，允许提供非处方柜台（OTC）紧急避孕（EC）服务，但尚未实施。
本研究的目的是：（1）评估肯塔基州药剂师通过协议提供处方 HC 和 OTC EC 服务的兴趣；（2）确定提供处方 HC 的预期收益/障碍。
一项在线问卷调查通过电子方式分发给肯塔基州的药剂师。该问卷收集了（1）人口统计学信息，（2）对提供处方 HC 和 OTC EC 的意见，以及（3）提供处方 HC 的预期收益和障碍。在分析中，仅将社区实践中的药剂师的回复进行了限制。McNemar 检验用于确定剂型支持的统计学显著差异。此外，还使用多变量逻辑回归模型检查人口统计学因素与药剂师提供处方 HC 支持之间的关联。
我们从社区药剂师那里收到了 151 份回复。口服（61%）和透皮（54%）形式的 HC 处方支持率最高。除实践年限外，我们在其他人口统计学因素中未发现支持率的统计学显著差异，最近毕业的毕业生的支持率更高。此外，时间、报销、培训以及对盆腔检查必要性的信念是实施的最常见障碍。关于 OTC EC 的提供，药剂师大多表示支持（62%），并且对自己的能力有信心。
肯塔基州的社区药剂师支持通过协议提供口服、阴道和透皮处方 HC 以及 OTC EC。应解决时间、报销、培训和对盆腔检查必要性的信念等障碍，以增加对处方 HC 提供的支持。
