1. Method of data collection
Addressing inequalities in the provision of pharmaceutical services in Scotland: a proof of concept study of telepharmacy in rural Scotland Bond CM1, Inch J1, Notman F1, on behalf of the Tele-pharmacy Research Team 1 Centre of Academic Primary Care, University of Aberdeen
Baseline findings:
Blah blah blah
BACKGROUND:
Demand for NHS services is increasing
Delivery of NHS services is changing
Limited access to community pharmacy in remote areas1
Community pharmacy services in rural areas provided by video-linkage technology, integrated within a medicines supply robot2
Source
Finding
Resident focus group
Satisfied with current community pharmacy service including prescription collection and delivery service. Would like easier access to pharmacy services for the older population
HCP interviews/focus groups
New service would improve access and reduce GP workload.
Concerns about resources, costs, maintenance, and impact on other providers
Resident questionnaire
Majority would use collection and delivery service (61.5%), GSL purchase (59%), advice on prescribed medicines (53%), eMas(51%).
18% would not access any service or advice
AIM :
To assess the feasibility, acceptability and scope of providing community pharmacy services via a video link and a supply robot (a tele-pharmacy robotic supply service)
METHOD:
Service specification:
Prescription form collection and delivery
Purchase of General Sales List (GSL) medicines (NHS Grampian formulary)
Advice
The Minor Ailment Service (eMAS)
Supply of pharmacy only (P) medicines on an individual basis
National health promotion campaigns
RESULTS:
Participants:
References:
1..Porteous T, Bond C. Novel provision of pharmacy services to a deprived area: a pharmaceutical needs assessment. International Journal of Pharmacy Practice 2003; 11(1):
2. King, Lotus S. Remote Pharmacy: it’s closer than you think. The Pharmaceutical Journal 2014; 293:
Acknowledgements: The Telepharmacy Research Team
David Green (Atos), M.Watson1, J Cleland1, D Heaney1, C Hind (NHS Grampian), J Ferguson (NHS Grampian) F Mair (University
of Glasgow), B McKinstry (University of Edinburgh) A Strath (Robert Gordon University)
This research has been funded by the Chief Scientist Office, Scottish Government and an Atos Innovation Fund Award
Desired services: Follow-up: Services accessed: medicines and prescriptions
Kiosk development
Baseline data
Follow up data
Hardware
Software
Service specification
Stock
Resident focus group
Resident questionnaire
Professional/stakeholder interviews
Pharmacy staff
GP staff
Pharmacist focus group
Service use data
User/resident questionnaire
Patient/user interviews
Professional/
stakeholder interviews
Questionnaire
112 (29%)
Accessing services
(6 users)
HCP Interviews
6 (66.7%)
Respondents
mostly female (65%) (n=73)
aged years 37% (n=41)
32% retired (n=36)
The majority rated their health as good to excellent
36% lack of personal need to use service (i.e. no health compliant or had medicines at home)
31% preferred regular pharmacy
Feedback from users (6)
All extremely satisfied/satisfied
Accessibility, convenience, efficiency and being simple to operate were highlighted as good
Bigger range of non-prescription medicines requested
Service easy to use, staff helpful
Barriers
Fear of technology
Lack of awareness of pharmacy services e.g. eMAS
‘Wrong’ pharmacy
Errors with phone numbers
Facilitators
Collection and delivery service more secure
Convenience of access in rural areas
Video link preferred to telephone consultation
Acceptable privacy *
Method of data collection
Number invited
Number responding (%)
Baseline Resident Questionnaires
400
154 (40%)
Baseline Resident Focus Group 40
4 (10.0%)
Baseline Healthcare Professional (HCP) Interviews 24
9 (37.5%)
Baseline NHS Grampian Pharmacist Focus Group 12
6 (41.6%)
Follow-up Resident Questionnaire
385
112 (29%)
Follow-up Resident Interviews 30
14 (46.7%)
Follow-up HCP Interviews 9
6 (66.7%)
CONCLUSION:
Remotely delivering pharmacy services to a rural community via tele-kiosk is acceptable and feasible
Future implementation needs to consider
Multiple links to all nearby pharmacies/other health care providers
Clarification of printing capability e.g. labels
Interface with ADASTRA (a clinical patient management system) /N3 link(national broadband network for the NHS)/and GP systems
Clarification of legal issues around P sales, emergency hormonal contraception supply, remote ordering and supply of pharmacy only medicines.
Capacity
Physical requirements of remote location and confidentiality