The Pharmacists’ and pharmacy technicians’ scopes of practice in the management of minor ailments at community pharmacies in Indonesia: a cross-sectional study
2021
Background
: Managing minor ailments in community pharmacy is an evolving pharmacy service in developing countries. Defined
scopes of practice for pharmacy staff are essential for the safe management of minor ailments. Limited research exists
regarding the
perceptions of Indonesian pharmacists’ and pharmacy technicians’ scopes of practice in providing minor ailments management
services.
Objective
: To evaluate pharmacists’ and pharmacy technicians’ understanding of their scopes of practice, perc
eived competency and
factors influencing the delivery of minor ailments services in Indonesian community pharmacies.
Methods
: Cross
-
sectional surveys were conducted during January
-
February 2020 of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians attending
seminars co
nducted by relevant Indonesian Associations in Central Java, Indonesia. Percentage of
common responses
(PCR) described
similarity of perceived scopes of practice for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. Univariate and multivariate analyses ide
ntified
asso
ciations of scopes of practice with pharmacy characteristics.
Results
: A total of 185 pharmacists and 142 pharmacy technicians participated. Pharmacy technicians performed minor ailment
consultations, however, if considered beyond their scope of practice,
they referred the patient to the pharmacist (T=120/142, 84.5%).
Vaginal thrush, bacterial conjunctivitis, gastro
-
oesophageal reflux disease, and acute pain were minor ailments perceived only within a
pharmacist’s scope (PCR above 60%). Of 34 minor ailments
, 11 showed PCR values between 40
-
60% overlapping pharmacists and
pharmacy technicians perceived scopes of practice (allergy/rash, back pain, cold sores, dermatitis, diarrhoea, eczema, hayfev
er,
haemorrhoids, rheumatism, sore throat, and superficial wounds
). Back pain, cold sores, dermatitis, and sore throat associated
pharmacists’ scope of practice with years of practice experience (p
-
value<0.05). Pharmacy technicians perceived their scopes of
practice to be wider than perceived by pharmacists.
Conclusions
: Discordance between pharmacists’ and pharmacy technicians’ perceived scopes of minor ailments management
highlights the need for clearly defined scopes of practice for each professional group. Each professional group must practise
within
their competence
to ensure safe pharmacy practices.
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