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Pharmacy staff perceptions and self-reported behaviors related to providing contraceptive information and counseling
Batra, P., Aquilino, M. L., & Farris, K. B. (2015). Pharmacy staff perceptions and self-reported behaviors related to providing contraceptive information and counseling. Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association (Washington,D.C. : 1996), 55(5), 481-487. https://doi.org/10.1331/JAPhA.2015.15037
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate pharmacy staff perspectives of a 2-year pharmacy intervention aimed at reducing unintended pregnancy in 18- to 30-year-old women.
DESIGN: Pharmacy staff completed a 48-item, self-administered paper survey consisting of scaled and open-ended questions.
SETTING: 55 community pharmacies in 12 Iowa counties.
PARTICIPANTS: All pharmacy staff participated, including pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and other pharmacy employees.
INTERVENTION: Online continuing education (CE) training was made available to all pharmacy staff. Promotional materials including posters, brochures, and shelf talkers were displayed in all of the pharmacies.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pharmacy staff perceptions and self-reported behaviors related to displaying posters, brochures, and shelf talkers in their pharmacies and providing contraceptive information and counseling to patients/customers.
RESULTS: A total of 192 (43% return rate) pharmacy staff responded. Only 44% of respondents consistently provided contraceptive information and counseling, yet more than 90% felt that talking with patients/customers about contraceptives was easy, and more than 50% could do so privately. The study showed increased pharmacy staff desire to make this topic a priority.
CONCLUSION: Community pharmacy staff can play a key role in educating and counseling young adult women about contraceptive health and pregnancy planning. This study indicates that staff are comfortable providing this service and that patients/customers are open to receiving guidance from pharmacists. However, pharmacy staff are missing additional opportunities to provide information and counseling. There is also a need for greater attention to provision of nonprescription contraceptive education.