Elizabeth Donovan1, Jeffrey Bratberg2, Janette Baird3, Dina Burstein3, Patricia Case4, Alexander Y Walley5, Traci C Green6. 1. Department of Psychology, Simmons University, Boston, MA, USA. Electronic address: Elizabeth.donovan3@simmons.edu. 2. College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, RI, USA. 3. Department of Emergency Medicine, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA. 4. Institute for Urban Health Research and Practice, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA. 5. Clinical Addiction Research Education Unit, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA. 6. Department of Emergency Medicine, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA; Boston Medical Center Injury Prevention Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Naloxone is an antidote to opioid overdose, and community pharmacies nationwide now provide broad access to this medication. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this qualitative study was to understand how leaders in pharmacy organizations perceive pharmacies and pharmacy staff can optimize dispensing of naloxone. METHODS: In-depth interviews were conducted with 12 pharmacy leaders in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Participants were recruited from three types of community pharmacies: (1) chain; (2) independent; and (3) hospital outpatient. Theory-driven immersion crystallization, using Brownlee et al.'s model of healthcare quality improvement, was used to inform coding of the interview data, with predetermined categories of staff; organization; and process. RESULTS: Five main themes were identified: (1) Importance of staff training to increase comfort; (2) Strength through coordination of efforts; (3) Pharmacy as a community leader in the opioid crisis; (4) Persisting stigma; and (5) Ongoing workflow challenges. CONCLUSIONS: The results uniquely reflect the experiences and insights of pharmacy leaders implementing public health initiatives during the opioid crisis and can be used for gaining insight into how pharmacists can efficiently provide naloxone to their communities.
BACKGROUND:Naloxone is an antidote to opioid overdose, and community pharmacies nationwide now provide broad access to this medication. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this qualitative study was to understand how leaders in pharmacy organizations perceive pharmacies and pharmacy staff can optimize dispensing of naloxone. METHODS: In-depth interviews were conducted with 12 pharmacy leaders in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Participants were recruited from three types of community pharmacies: (1) chain; (2) independent; and (3) hospital outpatient. Theory-driven immersion crystallization, using Brownlee et al.'s model of healthcare quality improvement, was used to inform coding of the interview data, with predetermined categories of staff; organization; and process. RESULTS: Five main themes were identified: (1) Importance of staff training to increase comfort; (2) Strength through coordination of efforts; (3) Pharmacy as a community leader in the opioid crisis; (4) Persisting stigma; and (5) Ongoing workflow challenges. CONCLUSIONS: The results uniquely reflect the experiences and insights of pharmacy leaders implementing public health initiatives during the opioid crisis and can be used for gaining insight into how pharmacists can efficiently provide naloxone to their communities.
Authors: Robin A Pollini; Jenny E Ozga; Rebecca Joyce; Ziming Xuan; Alexander Y Walley Journal: Drug Alcohol Depend Date: 2021-12-31 Impact factor: 4.492
Authors: Traci C Green; Thomas Stopka; Ziming Xuan; Tyler C Davis; Jesse Boggis; Adriane N Irwin; Mary Gray; Daniel M Hartung; Jeffrey Bratberg Journal: J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) Date: 2021-03-11