Denise Ragland1, Nalin Payakachat2, Rachel A Stafford3. 1. Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA dragland@uams.edu. 2. Department of Pharmacy Practice, Division of Pharmaceutical Evaluation and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA. 3. Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Nonprescription emergency contraception (EC) is now available for purchase without age restrictions. This is a great opportunity for pharmacists to provide counseling to ensure that customers use EC correctly. OBJECTIVE: This pilot study explored the impact of student pharmacist counseling on customer knowledge of EC in a retail pharmacy setting and assessed customer satisfaction with the counseling. METHODS: Counseling was performed at 2 retail pharmacies during June and July 2012. Participants completed a 12-question pretest that measured baseline knowledge of EC prior to a 5- to 10-minute education session, followed by the same 12-question posttest. A follow-up test was conducted via telephone within 1 to 3 months after the counseling. RESULTS: Eighty-seven women participated with a mean age of 30.2 (standard deviation = 7.2) years. The average posttest score was significantly higher than the pretest score (11.5 ± 1.0 vs 8.5 ± 2.5; P < .001). The mean follow-up score (9.9 ± 1.1) was significantly higher than the pretest score (P = .014), which indicated retained knowledge. Participants reported being highly satisfied with the counseling session and strongly agreed that the counseling would help them use EC correctly. CONCLUSION: Student pharmacist-provided EC counseling increased participants' EC knowledge both immediate and long term. This study suggests that EC counseling is feasible and valued by customers.
INTRODUCTION: Nonprescription emergency contraception (EC) is now available for purchase without age restrictions. This is a great opportunity for pharmacists to provide counseling to ensure that customers use EC correctly. OBJECTIVE: This pilot study explored the impact of student pharmacist counseling on customer knowledge of EC in a retail pharmacy setting and assessed customer satisfaction with the counseling. METHODS: Counseling was performed at 2 retail pharmacies during June and July 2012. Participants completed a 12-question pretest that measured baseline knowledge of EC prior to a 5- to 10-minute education session, followed by the same 12-question posttest. A follow-up test was conducted via telephone within 1 to 3 months after the counseling. RESULTS: Eighty-seven women participated with a mean age of 30.2 (standard deviation = 7.2) years. The average posttest score was significantly higher than the pretest score (11.5 ± 1.0 vs 8.5 ± 2.5; P < .001). The mean follow-up score (9.9 ± 1.1) was significantly higher than the pretest score (P = .014), which indicated retained knowledge. Participants reported being highly satisfied with the counseling session and strongly agreed that the counseling would help them use EC correctly. CONCLUSION: Student pharmacist-provided EC counseling increased participants' EC knowledge both immediate and long term. This study suggests that EC counseling is feasible and valued by customers.
Authors: Souhiela Fakih; Peter Batra; Heather H Gatny; Yasamin Kusunoki; Jennifer S Barber; Karen B Farris Journal: J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) Date: 2015 May-Jun
Authors: Sally Rafie; Rebecca H Stone; Tracey A Wilkinson; Laura M Borgelt; Shareen Y El-Ibiary; Denise Ragland Journal: Integr Pharm Res Pract Date: 2017-03-23