Efi Mantzourani1, Rebecca Cannings-John2, Andrew Evans3, Haroon Ahmed4, Alan Meudell5, Ian Hill6, Emma Williams7, Cheryl Way8, Kerenza Hood9, Benjamin Legay10, Laura Houldcroft11, Rhian Deslandes12. 1. School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK; NHS Wales Informatics Service, Cardiff, Wales, UK. Electronic address: mantzouranie1@cardiff.ac.uk. 2. Centre for Trials Research, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK. Electronic address: CanningsRL@cardiff.ac.uk. 3. Primary Care Services, Welsh Government, Cardiff, Wales, UK. Electronic address: Andrew.Evans@gov.wales. 4. School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK. Electronic address: AhmedH2@cardiff.ac.uk. 5. School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK. Electronic address: alan@apm-e.biz. 6. School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK. Electronic address: ianhil@ntlworld.com. 7. NHS Wales Informatics Service, Cardiff, Wales, UK. Electronic address: Emma.Williams43@wales.nhs.uk. 8. NHS Wales Informatics Service, Cardiff, Wales, UK. Electronic address: Cheryl.Way@wales.nhs.uk. 9. Centre for Trials Research, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK. Electronic address: HoodK1@cardiff.ac.uk. 10. Faculty of Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, Nantes University, Nantes, France. Electronic address: benjamin.lrc.legay@gmail.com. 11. School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK. Electronic address: laurahouldcroft@hotmail.co.uk. 12. School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK. Electronic address: DeslandesRE@cardiff.ac.uk.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A pilot of the first NHS funded Sore Throat Test and Treat (STTT) service in the United Kingdom began in selected community pharmacies in Wales in November 2018. The aim of this research was to explore whether a pharmacist delivering consultation for sore throat that included clinical scoring and point-of-care testing was acceptable to patients and how this might influence future health-seeking behaviour. METHODS: A non-experimental design was employed using a survey research tool including a mix of closed and open questions. The patient experience survey was distributed to all patients who had completed a consultation between November 2018 and May 2019. Data from completed surveys were entered in Jisc Online Surveys® and exported to Excel® for descriptive statistics. Free-text comments were analysed using content and inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: A total of 510 surveys were received (n = 2,839 total consultations, response rate 18%). Overall, 501 patients (98%) were satisfied with the service. Patients' confidence in managing their condition and service satisfaction was not dependent on having been supplied antibiotics. After the service, 504 patients (99%) stated that they would return to the pharmacy for subsequent sore throat symptoms. Three themes were constructed after inductive analysis of free-text comments (n = 242): convenience and accessibility; professionalism of pharmacy team; and perceived value of the service. CONCLUSIONS: Results confirmed high levels of patient satisfaction with the new service, its delivery and the choice of options offered for sore throat symptom management. Whilst this research can only discuss patients' reported future behaviour, the patient-reported stated intentions signify a potential shift in health-seeking behaviour towards a pharmacist-led service. This has important implications in supporting the long-term plan of the governments in Wales and England to redirect management of uncomplicated conditions from GPs to pharmacies.
BACKGROUND: A pilot of the first NHS funded Sore Throat Test and Treat (STTT) service in the United Kingdom began in selected community pharmacies in Wales in November 2018. The aim of this research was to explore whether a pharmacist delivering consultation for sore throat that included clinical scoring and point-of-care testing was acceptable to patients and how this might influence future health-seeking behaviour. METHODS: A non-experimental design was employed using a survey research tool including a mix of closed and open questions. The patient experience survey was distributed to all patients who had completed a consultation between November 2018 and May 2019. Data from completed surveys were entered in Jisc Online Surveys® and exported to Excel® for descriptive statistics. Free-text comments were analysed using content and inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: A total of 510 surveys were received (n = 2,839 total consultations, response rate 18%). Overall, 501 patients (98%) were satisfied with the service. Patients' confidence in managing their condition and service satisfaction was not dependent on having been supplied antibiotics. After the service, 504 patients (99%) stated that they would return to the pharmacy for subsequent sore throat symptoms. Three themes were constructed after inductive analysis of free-text comments (n = 242): convenience and accessibility; professionalism of pharmacy team; and perceived value of the service. CONCLUSIONS: Results confirmed high levels of patient satisfaction with the new service, its delivery and the choice of options offered for sore throat symptom management. Whilst this research can only discuss patients' reported future behaviour, the patient-reported stated intentions signify a potential shift in health-seeking behaviour towards a pharmacist-led service. This has important implications in supporting the long-term plan of the governments in Wales and England to redirect management of uncomplicated conditions from GPs to pharmacies.