Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, University City Road, University City, PO Box, 27272, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, University City, PO Box, 27272, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; School of Medicine, Deakin Rural Health, Deakin University Faculty of Health, Warrnambool, Victoria 3216, Australia.
Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, University City, PO Box, 27272, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
Res Social Adm Pharm. 2024 Jun;20(6):134-145. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2024.03.001. Epub 2024 Mar 14.
Including pharmacists in collaborative mental healthcare models has yielded positive results. Establishing processes to enhance pharmacists' mental health care capabilities is crucial for addressing the increasing burden and improving access to mental health services.
This study evaluated community pharmacists' mental health competencies and analyzed associated factors using a rigorous international framework. Additionally, it sought to identify pharmacists' training needs and support requirements as the first stop in creating a roadmap for enhancing mental healthcare through community pharmacies.
A large-scale national study employing a mixed-methods approach was conducted with community pharmacists in United Arab Emirates. Semi-structured individual interviews and a cross-sectional survey were conducted. Pharmacists' core competencies were assessed using the Core Mental Health Competencies Framework for all Pharmacy Professionals. Generalized linear models were utilized to identify predictors of pharmacists' competency levels. Thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data.
In total 650 community pharmacists completed the survey (93.7% response rate). Eight pharmacists participated in semi-structured interviews. Nearly two-thirds (63.7%) received general communication skills training, while training in motivational interviewing (44.7%), shared decision-making (37.2%), and mental illness stereotyping/stigma (23.9%) were less common. Pharmacists reported lower perceived competence in their relationship with multidisciplinary teams (M = 3.02, SD = 0.89), stigma recognition (M = 3.02, SD = 1.04), and identifying mental health crises and aiding in the person's safety (M = 3.01, SD = 1.05). Poor communication skills (p < 0.001) and working in pharmacies that do not stock psychotropic medications (p = 0.023) were associated with lower perceived competence. Qualitative analysis identified training needs in various domains, including attitudes, values, and beliefs about mental health; relationships with multidisciplinary teams; communication skills; pharmaceutical knowledge; and personal and service development.
Mental health-related training is needed for community pharmacists. Addressing these needs through an intentional roadmap approach will enable pharmacists to better engage with patients with mental illness and increase access to care.
将药剂师纳入协作式精神卫生保健模式已取得积极成果。建立增强药剂师精神卫生保健能力的流程对于应对日益增加的负担和改善精神卫生服务的可及性至关重要。
本研究采用严格的国际框架评估社区药剂师的精神卫生能力，并分析相关因素。此外，它旨在确定药剂师的培训需求和支持要求，作为通过社区药房增强精神卫生保健的路线图的第一步。
在阿拉伯联合酋长国开展了一项大规模的全国性研究，采用混合方法，涉及社区药剂师。进行了半结构式个体访谈和横断面调查。使用所有药剂专业人员的核心精神卫生能力框架评估药剂师的核心能力。使用广义线性模型确定影响药剂师能力水平的预测因素。使用主题分析对定性数据进行分析。
共有 650 名社区药剂师完成了调查（响应率为 93.7%）。8 名药剂师参加了半结构式访谈。近三分之二（63.7%）接受了一般沟通技巧培训，而接受动机性访谈（44.7%）、共同决策（37.2%）和精神疾病刻板印象/污名（23.9%）培训的比例较低。药剂师报告在与多学科团队的关系（M=3.02，SD=0.89）、识别污名（M=3.02，SD=1.04）和识别心理健康危机和帮助人员安全方面的感知能力较低（M=3.01，SD=1.05）。较差的沟通技巧（p<0.001）和在不储备精神药物的药房工作（p=0.023）与感知能力较低相关。定性分析确定了在各种领域的培训需求，包括对精神卫生的态度、价值观和信念；与多学科团队的关系；沟通技巧；药物知识；以及个人和服务发展。
社区药剂师需要进行精神卫生相关培训。通过有针对性的路线图方法满足这些需求，将使药剂师能够更好地与患有精神疾病的患者合作，并增加获得护理的机会。
