Emergency contraception in Australian community pharmacies: A simulated patient study

Queddeng, K; Chaar, B; Williams, K

Emergency contraception in Australian community pharmacies: A simulated patient study

Queddeng, K Chaar, B Williams, K

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Contraception, 2011, 83 (2), pp. 176 - 182
Issue Date:: 2011-02-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Queddeng, K	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Chaar, B	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Williams, K https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5094-243X	en_US
dc.date.available	2010-07-14	en_US
dc.date.issued	2011-02-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Contraception, 2011, 83 (2), pp. 176 - 182	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	0010-7824	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/15492
dc.description.abstract	Background: Australia joined the worldwide movement to increase the availability of the emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) by rescheduling from Prescription to Pharmacist Only status in 2004. However a protocol developed to aid in the provision of the ECP placed extensive requirements on the pharmacist. This study investigated the provision of the ECP by community pharmacists in Sydney, Australia. Study Design: Using a simulated patient methodology, 100 community pharmacies were visited over a five week period (Aug-Oct 2008). The simulated patient specifically requested the ECP, and details of the consultation were recorded on a standardised data collection form. Results: The ECP was supplied in 95% of the pharmacies visited. Patient privacy was observed in 90% of consultations, which in general were succinct and friendly. Clinical assessment of the patient that met all the requirements was observed in 18%, partial assessment in 69%, and inadequate assessment in 13% of consultations. Provision of required information to the patient was sufficient in 42%, partial in 55%, and inadequate in 3% of consultations. Conclusions: This study highlighted a need to standardize procedures in regard to the ECP service to present a more consistent level of service to the public. Suggestions to improve the service include complete revision and simplification of the current protocol and improved training. Additionally, mandatory provision of private consultation areas and continuing professional education may facilitate and enhance quality counselling. © 2011 Elsevier Inc.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Contraception	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.contraception.2010.07.011	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Contraceptives, Postcoital	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Contraception, Postcoital	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Attitude of Health Personnel	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Counseling	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Confidentiality	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Patient Simulation	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Adult	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Pharmacists	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Community Pharmacy Services	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Australia	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Patient Education as Topic	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Nonprescription Drugs	en_US
dc.title	Emergency contraception in Australian community pharmacies: A simulated patient study	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	2	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	83	en_US
utslib.for	1114 Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine	en_US
utslib.for	1103 Clinical Sciences	en_US
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services	en_US
dc.location.activity	WOS:000287003800013	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Graduate School of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	2	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	83	en_US

Abstract:

Background: Australia joined the worldwide movement to increase the availability of the emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) by rescheduling from Prescription to Pharmacist Only status in 2004. However a protocol developed to aid in the provision of the ECP placed extensive requirements on the pharmacist. This study investigated the provision of the ECP by community pharmacists in Sydney, Australia. Study Design: Using a simulated patient methodology, 100 community pharmacies were visited over a five week period (Aug-Oct 2008). The simulated patient specifically requested the ECP, and details of the consultation were recorded on a standardised data collection form. Results: The ECP was supplied in 95% of the pharmacies visited. Patient privacy was observed in 90% of consultations, which in general were succinct and friendly. Clinical assessment of the patient that met all the requirements was observed in 18%, partial assessment in 69%, and inadequate assessment in 13% of consultations. Provision of required information to the patient was sufficient in 42%, partial in 55%, and inadequate in 3% of consultations. Conclusions: This study highlighted a need to standardize procedures in regard to the ECP service to present a more consistent level of service to the public. Suggestions to improve the service include complete revision and simplification of the current protocol and improved training. Additionally, mandatory provision of private consultation areas and continuing professional education may facilitate and enhance quality counselling. © 2011 Elsevier Inc.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/15492