Candace W Barnett1. 1. Southern School of Pharmacy, Mercer University, 3001 Mercer University Drive, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA. barnett_c@mercer.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether community pharmacist-provided food-allergy education and auto-injectable epinephrine training is needed. DESIGN: Cross-sectional assessment. SETTING: United States. PARTICIPANTS: 1,887 recently joined members of the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network. INTERVENTION: Electronic survey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 35 items covering past education and training associated with food allergy and use of auto-injectable epinephrine, demographics, attitudes toward pharmacist-provided education about food allergy, training in the use of auto-injectable epinephrine, confidence in managing food allergies on a daily basis and in emergency situations, and the necessity for pharmacists to provide education and training about food allergy and auto-injectable epinephrine use. RESULTS: Prescriber-provided food-allergy education and auto-injectable epinephrine training is incomplete (60.7%) or absent (16.3%) at the time auto-injectable epinephrine is first prescribed. These initial prescriptions are being dispensed from community pharmacies (94%), and written information is commonly provided with the medication (73.6%); however, oral counseling is largely absent (86.6%), and training in administration of auto-injectable epinephrine occurs infrequently (13.3%). Food-allergic patients and their care-givers are receptive to the idea of pharmacist-provided education and training. The majority (63.6% or more) feel confident about managing their food allergies. They are not requesting counseling when refill prescriptions are dispensed (81.4%); however, they would like to see routine review at refill time of the signs of allergic reaction (54.5%) and use of the epinephrine auto-injector (79.3%). CONCLUSION: Community pharmacists have an opportunity to assist newly diagnosed food-allergic patients by working collaboratively with their pediatricians and allergists. Community pharmacists can provide ongoing assistance at refill time by retraining patients in the use of the epinephrine auto-injector and reviewing the signs of allergic reaction.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether community pharmacist-provided food-allergy education and auto-injectable epinephrine training is needed. DESIGN: Cross-sectional assessment. SETTING: United States. PARTICIPANTS: 1,887 recently joined members of the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network. INTERVENTION: Electronic survey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 35 items covering past education and training associated with food allergy and use of auto-injectable epinephrine, demographics, attitudes toward pharmacist-provided education about food allergy, training in the use of auto-injectable epinephrine, confidence in managing food allergies on a daily basis and in emergency situations, and the necessity for pharmacists to provide education and training about food allergy and auto-injectable epinephrine use. RESULTS: Prescriber-provided food-allergy education and auto-injectable epinephrine training is incomplete (60.7%) or absent (16.3%) at the time auto-injectable epinephrine is first prescribed. These initial prescriptions are being dispensed from community pharmacies (94%), and written information is commonly provided with the medication (73.6%); however, oral counseling is largely absent (86.6%), and training in administration of auto-injectable epinephrine occurs infrequently (13.3%). Food-allergicpatients and their care-givers are receptive to the idea of pharmacist-provided education and training. The majority (63.6% or more) feel confident about managing their food allergies. They are not requesting counseling when refill prescriptions are dispensed (81.4%); however, they would like to see routine review at refill time of the signs of allergic reaction (54.5%) and use of the epinephrine auto-injector (79.3%). CONCLUSION: Community pharmacists have an opportunity to assist newly diagnosed food-allergicpatients by working collaboratively with their pediatricians and allergists. Community pharmacists can provide ongoing assistance at refill time by retraining patients in the use of the epinephrine auto-injector and reviewing the signs of allergic reaction.
Authors: Sandra M Salter; Sandra Vale; Frank M Sanfilippo; Richard Loh; Rhonda M Clifford Journal: Am J Pharm Educ Date: 2014-09-15 Impact factor: 2.047
Authors: Sandra M Salter; Richard Loh; Frank M Sanfilippo; Rhonda M Clifford Journal: Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol Date: 2014-09-19 Impact factor: 3.406
Authors: Sandra M Salter; Brock Delfante; Sarah de Klerk; Frank M Sanfilippo; Rhonda M Clifford Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2014-07-09 Impact factor: 2.692