Research Article

Evaluation of knowledge and attitude of pharmacist and pharmacy technicians on emergency contraception method in Istanbul, Turkey: A simulated patient study

Volume: 23 Number: 3 June 27, 2025

Evaluation of knowledge and attitude of pharmacist and pharmacy technicians on emergency contraception method in Istanbul, Turkey: A simulated patient study

Abstract

Inappropriate use of drugs may contribute to therapeutic failure. Not only theoretical knowledge of pharmacists but also using this knowledge in counselling play a key role in improving compliance as far as avoiding failure. In terms of emergency contraception pill, this may lead to unwanted pregnancy. The aim of this study is to evaluate knowledge and attitude of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians on emergency contraception pills (ECP) on face to face talk by using simulated patient method. The study was conducted between March, 2015 and May, 2015 in community pharmacies located in Istanbul, Turkey. The simulated patient (SP), mystery shopper, filled in the standardized knowledge and evaluation form right after visiting each pharmacy. Main outcome measure is categorized as feature of pharmacy and consultant, questioning medical record of simulated patient, information of emergency contraception pill usage. In 115 community pharmacies included in the study, 37 (32.2%) providers were pharmacist and 78 (67.8%) were pharmacy technicians. There was no statistical difference between pharmacist and pharmacy technicians, neither pharmacists nor pharmacy technicians’ performance were found high on questioning parameters, such as history of medication usage, chronic disease, history of contraception and menstruation status of SP (p>0.05), whereas the side effects of the ECP were explained more often by pharmacists in terms of profession comparison and by female consultants in terms of gender comparison (p<0.05). All these evidences underline the need to improve knowledge on emergency contraception method for both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Gül Duygu Uzun This is me
Türkiye

Publication Date

June 27, 2025

Submission Date

September 26, 2018

Acceptance Date

November 13, 2018

Published in Issue

Year 2019 Volume: 23 Number: 3

APA
Uzun, G. D., Sancar, M., & Okuyan, B. (2025). Evaluation of knowledge and attitude of pharmacist and pharmacy technicians on emergency contraception method in Istanbul, Turkey: A simulated patient study. Journal of Research in Pharmacy, 23(3), 395-402. https://izlik.org/JA29FY78GT
AMA
1.Uzun GD, Sancar M, Okuyan B. Evaluation of knowledge and attitude of pharmacist and pharmacy technicians on emergency contraception method in Istanbul, Turkey: A simulated patient study. J. Res. Pharm. 2025;23(3):395-402. https://izlik.org/JA29FY78GT
Chicago
Uzun, Gül Duygu, Mesut Sancar, and Betül Okuyan. 2025. “Evaluation of Knowledge and Attitude of Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technicians on Emergency Contraception Method in Istanbul, Turkey: A Simulated Patient Study”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 23 (3): 395-402. https://izlik.org/JA29FY78GT.
EndNote
Uzun GD, Sancar M, Okuyan B (June 1, 2025) Evaluation of knowledge and attitude of pharmacist and pharmacy technicians on emergency contraception method in Istanbul, Turkey: A simulated patient study. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 23 3 395–402.
IEEE
[1]G. D. Uzun, M. Sancar, and B. Okuyan, “Evaluation of knowledge and attitude of pharmacist and pharmacy technicians on emergency contraception method in Istanbul, Turkey: A simulated patient study”, J. Res. Pharm., vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 395–402, June 2025, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA29FY78GT
ISNAD
Uzun, Gül Duygu - Sancar, Mesut - Okuyan, Betül. “Evaluation of Knowledge and Attitude of Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technicians on Emergency Contraception Method in Istanbul, Turkey: A Simulated Patient Study”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 23/3 (June 1, 2025): 395-402. https://izlik.org/JA29FY78GT.
JAMA
1.Uzun GD, Sancar M, Okuyan B. Evaluation of knowledge and attitude of pharmacist and pharmacy technicians on emergency contraception method in Istanbul, Turkey: A simulated patient study. J. Res. Pharm. 2025;23:395–402.
MLA
Uzun, Gül Duygu, et al. “Evaluation of Knowledge and Attitude of Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technicians on Emergency Contraception Method in Istanbul, Turkey: A Simulated Patient Study”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy, vol. 23, no. 3, June 2025, pp. 395-02, https://izlik.org/JA29FY78GT.
Vancouver
1.Gül Duygu Uzun, Mesut Sancar, Betül Okuyan. Evaluation of knowledge and attitude of pharmacist and pharmacy technicians on emergency contraception method in Istanbul, Turkey: A simulated patient study. J. Res. Pharm. [Internet]. 2025 Jun. 1;23(3):395-402. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA29FY78GT