- 122 views
- 147 downloads
Studies on Implementation of Primary Care Services by Community Pharmacists
-
- Author / Creator
- So, Randy
-
As one of the most accessible primary health care providers, pharmacists are in an excellent position to provide primary health care services. Although slow, the current transition from a dispensing-centered (transaction-based) pharmacy approach to a patient-centered (patient care based) approach is important in addressing the primary healthcare needs of Canadians. This is especially true in patients with chronic conditions, as they will visit the pharmacy more frequently to retrieve their prescriptions. As such, pharmacists have multiple opportunities to review their condition, adjust accordingly, and help patients achieve their health goals both pharmacologically and non-pharmacologically. Yet, this is dependent on the pharmacist being proactive in managing their patient’s health, as many patients do not know how or when to ask for help.
The first chapter of this thesis introduces the types of primary care services pharmacists can provide that was investigated. It provides an outline of the following chapters and a rationale behind the importance and purpose of the investigations conducted.
The second chapter of this thesis investigates the effects of an innovative workflow model that places pharmacists at the front, allowing for immediate patient – pharmacist interaction, and observe the effects that this type of proactive workflow model has on managing hypertension and diabetes.
In chapters three and four, we address how pharmacists are able to play a role in combating the Canadian opioid epidemic. Naloxone, an opioid antagonist that is the primary treatment for opioid poisoning, is an effective tool that even the general public would be able to administer to someone experiencing opioid poisoning. However, distribution of this crucial life-saving tool through pharmacies is haphazard across Canada. In chapter three, we investigate the current disparity in naloxone access in community pharmacies throughout Canada. Integrating these findings in chapter four, we provide recommendations for pharmacists on how and when they can proactively dispense naloxone to the general public.
-
- Graduation date
- Spring 2021
-
- Type of Item
- Thesis
-
- Degree
- Master of Science
-
- License
- This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.