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Understanding the impact of a new pharmacy sore throat test and treat service on patient experience: a survey study

Mantzourani, Efi ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6313-1409, Cannings-John, Rebecca ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5235-6517, Evans, Andrew, Ahmed, Haroon ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0634-8548, Meudell, Alan ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8138-4744, Hill, Ian, Williams, Emma, Way, Cheryl, Hood, Kerenza ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5268-8631, Legay, Benjamin, Houldcroft, Laura and Deslandes, Rhian ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2727-1797 2021. Understanding the impact of a new pharmacy sore throat test and treat service on patient experience: a survey study. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy 17 (5) , pp. 969-977. 10.1016/j.sapharm.2020.07.034

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Abstract

Background A pilot of the first NHS funded Sore Throat Test and Treat (STTT) service in the United Kingdom began in selected community pharmacies in Wales in November 2018. The aim of this research was to explore whether a pharmacist delivering consultation for sore throat that included clinical scoring and point-of-care testing was acceptable to patients and how this might influence future health-seeking behaviour. Methods A non-experimental design was employed using a survey research tool including a mix of closed and open questions. The patient experience survey was distributed to all patients who had completed a consultation between November 2018 and May 2019. Data from completed surveys were entered in Jisc Online Surveys® and exported to Excel® for descriptive statistics. Free-text comments were analysed using content and inductive thematic analysis. Results A total of 510 surveys were received (n = 2,839 total consultations, response rate 18%). Overall, 501 patients (98%) were satisfied with the service. Patients’ confidence in managing their condition and service satisfaction was not dependent on having been supplied antibiotics. After the service, 504 patients (99%) stated that they would return to the pharmacy for subsequent sore throat symptoms. Three themes were constructed after inductive analysis of free-text comments (n = 242) revealed 3 themes: convenience and accessibility; professionalism of pharmacy team; and perceived value of the service. Conclusions Results confirmed high levels of patient satisfaction with the new service, its delivery and the choice of options offered for sore throat symptom management. Whilst this research can only discuss patients’ reported future behaviour, the patient-reported stated intentions signify a potential shift in health-seeking behaviour towards a pharmacist-led service. This has important implications in supporting the long-term plan of the governments in Wales and England to redirect management of uncomplicated conditions from GPs to pharmacies.

Item Type: Article
Date Type: Publication
Status: Published
Schools: Pharmacy
Medicine
Centre for Trials Research (CNTRR)
Publisher: Elsevier
ISSN: 1551-7411
Date of First Compliant Deposit: 18 August 2020
Date of Acceptance: 29 July 2020
Last Modified: 11 Nov 2023 18:23
URI: https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/134266

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