Adapting the Auckland Sleep Screening Tool for pharmacy: pharmacists’ experience and feedback
Natalie Gauld 1 4 , Crystal Braganza 2 , Bruce Arroll 31 School of Pharmacy, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.
2 Natalie Gauld Ltd, PO Box 9349, Newmarket, Auckland 1023, New Zealand.
3 Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.
4 Corresponding author. Email: n.gauld@auckland.ac.nz
Journal of Primary Health Care 11(2) 170-177 https://doi.org/10.1071/HC19003
Published: 18 July 2019
Journal Compilation © Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners 2019.
This is an open access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Insomnia has negative health effects and may indicate underlying serious conditions, but is underdiagnosed and often not discussed with a doctor.
AIM: This study aimed to explore the utility and workability in New Zealand community pharmacies of a 23-question sleep-screening tool adapted from the Short Auckland Sleep Questionnaire.
METHODS: A multidisciplinary advisory group (sleep specialist, general practitioner and pharmacists) discussed the tool, pharmacists’ capability in managing insomnia and training needs for pharmacists, and recommended management strategies, including referral points. Twelve community pharmacists piloted the tool with people with insomnia who presented in pharmacies, recording the time it took to administer the tool. The pharmacists were then surveyed about their experiences with the tool and possible improvements.
RESULTS: Ten pharmacists took an average of 12.4 min (range 4–35 min) for each use of the screening tool with 62 people with insomnia. Most pharmacists found the screening tool easy to administer, organised and easy to follow and nine of 10 said it provided better information than their usual consultation. Seven of 10 pharmacists would use it again. Time limitations and low recruitment were potential barriers to usage especially for pharmacy owners.
DISCUSSION: The screening tool could provide a useful addition to pharmacists’ toolkits, aiding information gathering and better than usual practice. The tool was acceptable to most pharmacists, but its use takes time and remuneration needs consideration.
KEYwords: Community pharmacists; community pharmacy services; consultation and referral; insomnia; screening; sleep disorders.
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