Consumer-pharmacist interactions around complementary medicines: agreement between pharmacist and consumer expectations, satisfaction and pharmacist influence

Date

2013

Authors

Tran, S.
Calabretto, J.
Sorich, M.

Editors

Advisors

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Type:

Journal article

Citation

International Journal of Pharmacy Practice, 2013; 21(6):378-385

Statement of Responsibility

Sophia Tran, Jean-Pierre Calabretto and Michael Sorich

Conference Name

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To explore pharmacist-consumer interactions around the use of complementary medicines (CMs), with specific focus on consumer expectations, perceptions and satisfaction. METHODS: Twenty pharmacists and 20 healthcare consumers were recruited across 16 metropolitan community pharmacies in Adelaide, Australia, from June to August 2011. Semi-structured interviews containing comparable questions for both study groups were used. Data was transcribed and analysed with the aid of AutoMapĀ®. KEY FINDINGS: There was high consumer satisfaction with pharmacists as CM providers, which was in agreement with pharmacist's perceptions of consumer satisfaction. However, this was against a background of low consumer expectations and pharmacists' dissatisfaction with their own role in the interaction. Consumers often perceived pharmacy-stocked CMs to be more effective and safer compared to those in supermarkets or health food shops, but this perception was not shared by pharmacists. Pharmacists believed they had significant influence around recommendation and use of CMs, whereas consumers perceived a more limited influence. Both pharmacists and consumers shared similar perceptions of CM safety and similar expectations regarding business influence and professional pressures on information provision. CONCLUSION: Behind a perception of high satisfaction, consumers have low expectations of pharmacists around provision of CM-related information. Further work is required to improve pharmacists' knowledge and confidence around CM use and to address barriers such as the tension between potentially competing business pressures and professional responsibilities.

School/Discipline

Dissertation Note

Provenance

Description

Access Status

Rights

Ā© 2013 The Authors. IJPP Ā© 2013 Royal Pharmaceutical Society

License

Grant ID

Call number

Persistent link to this record