Characterisation of patient encounters in community pharmacies (with special focus on self‐medication). (1st August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: De Bolle, Leen; Mehuys, Els; Christiaens, Thierry; Van Tongelen, Inge; Remon, Jean‐Paul; Boussery, Koen
• Is Part Of: International journal of pharmacy practice. Volume 23:Number 3(2015)
• Page Start: 228
• Page End: 231
• Publication Date: 2014-08-01
• Subjects: Pharmacy -- Practice -- Periodicals; 615.1
• DOI: 10.1111/ijpp.12138
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0961-7671

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="ijpp12138-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objectives</title> <p>To characterise patient encounters during routine drug dispensing in community pharmacies.</p> </sec> <sec id="ijpp12138-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Cross‐sectional survey in community pharmacies (Belgium).</p> </sec> <sec id="ijpp12138-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Key findings</title> <p>Fifty‐four per cent of all encounters (<italic>N</italic> = 1650) concerned patients carrying a prescription, of which 39% were prescriptions for new medication and 61% were repeat prescriptions. In 62% of all encounters, patients asked for non‐prescribed medication. Almost one‐third of self‐medication requests related to special patient populations (mainly children and elderly).</p> </sec> <sec id="ijpp12138-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions </title> <p>Many encounters related to self‐medication, and a substantial number of these self‐medication requests concerned vulnerable patient populations.</p> </sec> </abstract>