Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACY, cilt.44, sa.6, ss.1223-1231, 2022 (SCI-Expanded)
Background Noncommunicable diseases account for the majority of all deaths and impose a high socioeconomic burden, causing disability and premature deaths. Pharmacists can contribute to the prevention and management of these diseases through the provision of pharmaceutical care services. Aim The aim of this study was to implement a nationwide practice developed by the Turkish Pharmacists' Association aiming to realize pharmaceutical care provision of standard quality to patients with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes and hypertension at community pharmacies through a continuous professional development approach. Setting Community pharmacies in Turkey. Development A project with the involvement of all community pharmacists who were willing to participate was developed. After piloting, the 'project' turned into a 'practice' with a focus on asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes and hypertension management. Implementation The training process occurred as a peer-training activity. Academic staff trained the trainer pharmacists during a 3-day course. Community pharmacists (n = 6161) received training regarding pharmaceutical care, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes and hypertension from their peer trainers (n = 341) and began to practice pharmaceutical care and follow-up of patients' outcomes on a regular basis. Evaluation Among all community pharmacists in Turkey (n = 26,177), 24% attended training. Among these pharmacists, 21% started to implement practice. With community pharmacists' contribution to patient care, significant improvements in the majority of the outcome parameters regarding asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes and hypertension management were noted. Conclusion This first nationwide practice showed us that community pharmacists can help improve the health outcomes of patients with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes and hypertension through the provision of pharmaceutical care services.