Pharmacists’ views on implementing a disease state management program for low back pain
Christina Abdel Shaheed A , Christopher G. Maher B , Kylie A. Williams C and Andrew J. McLachlan A D EA Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sydney, Pharmacy Building A15, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
B Graduate School of Health, The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, Level 13, 321 Kent Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia.
C University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia.
D Centre for Education and Research on Ageing, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2139, Australia.
E Corresponding author. Email: andrew.mclachlan@sydney.edu.au
Australian Journal of Primary Health 22(3) 211-217 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY14116
Submitted: 26 February 2014 Accepted: 9 December 2014 Published: 27 February 2015
Abstract
Pharmacists have the potential to take a lead role in the primary care management of people with acute low back pain. The aim of this study was to investigate pharmacists’ views on implementing a care program for people with acute low back pain in the community pharmacy. Recruitment of pharmacists for this study took place between July 2012 and March 2013. A convenience sample of 30 pharmacists who collaborated in recruiting participants for a low back pain clinical trial in Sydney (n = 15 pharmacist recruiters and n = 15 non-recruiters) completed an open-ended questionnaire. There was no marked variation in responses between the two groups. Participating pharmacists were receptive to the idea of implementing a care program for people with low back pain, highlighting the need for adequate reimbursement and adequate training of staff to ensure it is successful. Pharmacists identified that the follow up of people receiving such a service is dependent on several factors such as effective reminder systems and the proximity of patients to the pharmacy.
Additional keywords: evidence-based management, musculoskeletal conditions, primary care.
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