Diabetes-related communications in community pharmacy: reflections on the findings from a feasibility study

Haigh, N; Campion, P; Featherstone, VA; Edmondson, H; Hien Tee, K; Innes, A

Abstract

Aims: To assess the feasibility of keeping a log of diabetes-related communication in a
community pharmacy and to explore the potential of the logs to reflect diabetes-related
communications within pharmacies. Design: A reflective log-keeping exercise (the log
designed by the researchers and provided in a booklet form) in community pharmacies of
any diabetes-related communication taking place between pharmacy staff and their service
users, and any signposting made to and from other relevant health professionals.
The study ran for four weeks. Subjects and setting: Nine community pharmacy
branches of the Independent Pharmacy Care Centres PLC based in Hull, East Yorkshire
and North & North East Lincolnshire. Outcome measures: A description of the form
and nature of diabetes-related communication, taking place within the community
pharmacy. The research team also sought feedback on the experience of keeping the log.
Results: Twenty-two communications were logged; twenty-one involved direct face-toface
contact and one log involved a telephone conversation. Two-thirds of the communications
involved conversations with patients with diabetes, a third were with a
partner/family member. The conversations captured fell into five categories: sugar free
medicines, blood glucose-testing metre, prescription medicines, diabetes specific education/
information and an unclassified category, respectively. The logs demonstrated that
communications can involve all members of the staff team, working independently or
jointly across their roles in the pharmacy. Conclusion: Community pharmacies in the
pilot study were actively involved in providing diabetes health-related information/education
and support. Communications involved directly assisting people with diabetes and
providing information to people supporting others with a diagnosis of diabetes. We propose
that the logs provide a valuable means of acquiring information about the form and
nature of diabetes-related communication and signposting within community pharmacy.

Citation

Haigh, N., Campion, P., Featherstone, V., Edmondson, H., Hien Tee, K., & Innes, A. (2007). Diabetes-related communications in community pharmacy: reflections on the findings from a feasibility study. Primary Health Care Research and Development, 8(2), 147-156. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1463423607000175

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2007
• Deposit Date: Aug 17, 2010
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 5, 2016
• Journal: Primary Health Care Research & Development
• Print ISSN: 1463-4236
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 8
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 147-156
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1463423607000175
• Keywords: brief interventions; carer support; community pharmacy; diabetes communications; Diabetes National Service Framework; log keeping; self-care; service development; The New NHS Community Pharmacy Contract.
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1463423607000175