Rod Tucker1. 1. Faculty of Health and Social Care, University of Hull, Hull, UK. rodtucker@rodtucker.karoo.co.uk
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to explore the range of dermatology medicines use reviews (MURs) undertaken by pharmacists and their confidence in dealing with the provision of advice to patients with skin problems. METHOD: A self-completion questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 3500 community pharmacies in England and Wales, UK. KEY FINDINGS: A total of 870 pharmacists responded to the survey giving a response rate of 25% (870/3500). Nearly half of respondents (44%, n = 866) had undertaken a dermatology MUR with eczema/dermatitis and psoriasis being the main conditions encountered. The mean confidence score (on a five-point scale) at conducting dermatology MURs was 3.5 (SD 1.0). CONCLUSION: Many pharmacists currently undertake dermatology MURs and rate themselves as confident in this role. Further work is needed to establish if such reviews lead to improvements in disease specific outcomes.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to explore the range of dermatology medicines use reviews (MURs) undertaken by pharmacists and their confidence in dealing with the provision of advice to patients with skin problems. METHOD: A self-completion questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 3500 community pharmacies in England and Wales, UK. KEY FINDINGS: A total of 870 pharmacists responded to the survey giving a response rate of 25% (870/3500). Nearly half of respondents (44%, n = 866) had undertaken a dermatology MUR with eczema/dermatitis and psoriasis being the main conditions encountered. The mean confidence score (on a five-point scale) at conducting dermatology MURs was 3.5 (SD 1.0). CONCLUSION: Many pharmacists currently undertake dermatology MURs and rate themselves as confident in this role. Further work is needed to establish if such reviews lead to improvements in disease specific outcomes.