Australian pharmacists’ willingness to conduct rapid HIV testing in community pharmacies
Anthony J. Santella A H , Timothy E. Schlub B , Damien Fagan C D , Richard J. Hillman E F and Ines Krass GA Department of Health Professions, School of Health Professions and Human Services, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY 11549, USA.
B Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
C Department of Pharmacy, Albion Street Centre, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia.
D Discipline of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT 2617, Australia.
E Western Sydney Sexual Health Centre, Western Sydney Local Health District, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia.
F Sydney Medical School – Westmead, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
G Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
H Corresponding author. Email: anthony.santella@hofstra.edu
Sexual Health 13(3) 292-294 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH16031
Submitted: 16 February 2016 Accepted: 20 March 2016 Published: 23 May 2016
Abstract
Community pharmacists are expanding their roles in health care, especially as they are distributed over wide geographical areas and are often open long hours. New rapid HIV testing technologies may offer further opportunities to expand their roles. A cross-sectional, online survey of Australian community pharmacists found most prepared to provide treatment to HIV patients, with the majority willing to become involved in rapid HIV testing.
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