Carandang Rogie Royce, Ancheta Yedda Marie, Beleno Geneveve, Gonzales Ana Madith, Longaza Nicole Isabelle
College of Pharmacy, Adamson University, Ermita, Manila 1000, Philippines.
Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT 06030, USA.
Explor Res Clin Soc Pharm. 2024 Jul 10;15:100477. doi: 10.1016/j.rcsop.2024.100477. eCollection 2024 Sep.
Telepharmacy provides remote care by pharmacists to distant patients via telecommunications. It is a new service used in the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, its utilization among vulnerable populations, notably senior citizens, remains relatively unexplored.
This study explored the facilitators and barriers to telepharmacy use among senior citizens in Pasig City, Philippines. Pasig City, a highly urbanized area in Metro Manila, is known for its quality and accessible healthcare services and has a high population of senior citizens.
Six focus groups were conducted: three with telepharmacy users and three with non-users, each with 3-5 participants. Focus groups were concluded upon reaching data saturation, where no new insights emerged. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using deductive and inductive content analysis, guided by the Health Belief Model. Coding and data management were facilitated by MAXQDA software.
Filipino senior citizens recognize the convenience and reliability of telepharmacy services for healthcare advice. Their use is influenced by social factors (friends, family, social media) and personal relevance, especially for those with chronic conditions. Positive experiences increase their likelihood of continued use and recommendations to peers. However, barriers such as poor service knowledge, low self-efficacy, and limited access (lack of smartphones, unreliable internet) hinder broader adoption.
Telepharmacy enhances the health and well-being of Filipino senior citizens by offering convenient and effective pharmaceutical care. However, barriers exist that need to be addressed through a multifaceted approach, including education and training for seniors, improved internet infrastructure, and the design of user-friendly platforms.
远程药学通过电信技术为偏远地区的患者提供药剂师的远程护理。它是菲律宾在新冠疫情期间使用的一项新服务。然而，其在弱势群体，尤其是老年人中的使用情况仍相对未被充分探索。
本研究探讨了菲律宾帕西格市老年人使用远程药学的促进因素和障碍。帕西格市是马尼拉大都会一个高度城市化的地区，以其优质且可及的医疗服务而闻名，并且老年人口众多。
开展了六个焦点小组：三个针对远程药学使用者，三个针对非使用者，每个小组有3 - 5名参与者。当达到数据饱和，即不再有新的见解出现时，结束焦点小组讨论。逐字记录稿采用演绎和归纳内容分析法进行分析，以健康信念模型为指导。MAXQDA软件辅助进行编码和数据管理。
菲律宾老年人认识到远程药学服务在提供医疗建议方面的便利性和可靠性。他们的使用受到社会因素（朋友、家人、社交媒体）和个人相关性的影响，尤其是对于患有慢性病的人。积极的体验增加了他们持续使用并向同龄人推荐的可能性。然而，诸如服务知识匮乏、自我效能感低以及获取受限（缺乏智能手机、网络不可靠）等障碍阻碍了其更广泛的采用。
远程药学通过提供便捷有效的药学护理，提升了菲律宾老年人的健康和福祉。然而，存在一些障碍，需要通过多方面的方法来解决，包括对老年人的教育和培训、改善互联网基础设施以及设计用户友好的平台。
