Public Health Service Provision in Community Pharmacies: Scope, Barriers, and Associated Factors

Öz

Community pharmacies have considerable potential to expand public health services. This cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the scope of public health services provided by community pharmacists, the barriers to delivering these services, and the associated factors. The study was carried out between January and February 2025 with 188 pharmacists working in Pendik and Maltepe districts of Istanbul. Data were collected by the researchers using a structured questionnaire. The public health service scope level was assessed using a study-specific composite scope index developed by the researchers for this study and derived from the sum of 13 service items. The most frequently provided services were nutritional counseling (80.9%), rational drug use counseling (73.4%), blood pressure measurement and monitoring (62.8%), and body weight measurement and monitoring (57.4%). The most commonly reported barriers were lack of time (67.0%), heavy workload (67.0%), patient disinterest (47.9%), lack of collaboration among health professionals (42.0%), and legal/bureaucratic barriers (35.1%). The most frequently suggested measures to improve public health practices were government-supported programs, public awareness activities, and financial incentives. In multivariable linear regression analysis, the study-specific composite public health service scope index was higher among female pharmacists, those who perceived themselves as having an active role in public health practices, and those who were informed about the “Guiding Pharmacy” program, whereas it was lower as the ratio of daily patient visits to the number of employees increased. These findings indicate that community pharmacies have substantial potential in public health; however, this potential appears to be influenced by workload and structural conditions.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Community pharmacy
• pharmacists
• public health
• health promotion
• pharmaceutical services

Destekleyen Kurum

No financial support was received from any institution or organization for this study.

Etik Beyan

Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Ethics Committee of Marmara University School of Medicine (24.12.2024; Decision No: 09.2024.1581).

Teşekkür

The authors would like to thank all pharmacists who participated in the study for their valuable contributions.

Eczanelerde Halk Sağlığı Hizmet Sunumu: Kapsam Düzeyi, Engeller ve İlişkili Faktörler

Öz

Toplum eczaneleri, halk sağlığı hizmetlerinin yaygınlaştırılmasında önemli bir potansiyele sahiptir. Bu çalışma, toplum eczacılarının sundukları halk sağlığı hizmetlerinin kapsamını, bu hizmetlerin sunulması önündeki engelleri ve ilişkili faktörleri değerlendirmek amacıyla yürütülen kesitsel bir araştırmadır. Çalışma, Ocak–Şubat 2025 döneminde İstanbul’un Pendik ve Maltepe ilçelerinde görev yapan 188 eczacı ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Veriler araştırmacılar tarafından yapılandırılmış bir anket formu kullanılarak toplanmıştır. Halk sağlığı hizmet kapsam düzeyi, araştırmacılar tarafından bu çalışma için oluşturulan ve 13 hizmet maddesinin toplamından elde edilen çalışmaya özgü kompozit bir kapsam indeksi ile değerlendirilmiştir. En sık sunulan hizmetler beslenme danışmanlığı (%80,9), akılcı ilaç kullanımı (%73,4), kan basıncı ölçümü ve kontrolü (%62,8) ve vücut ağırlığı ölçümü ve kontrolü (%57,4) olmuştur. En sık bildirilen engeller yetersiz zaman (%67,0), yüksek iş yükü (%67,0), hasta ilgisizliği (%47,9), sağlık profesyonelleri arasındaki iş birliği eksikliği (%42,0) ve yasal/bürokratik engeller (%35,1) olarak saptanmıştır. Halk sağlığı uygulamalarının artırılmasına yönelik en sık öneriler devlet destekli programlar, toplumsal farkındalık çalışmaları ve finansal teşvikler olmuştur. Çok değişkenli doğrusal regresyon analizinde kadın cinsiyet, halk sağlığı uygulamalarında aktif role sahip olma algısı ve “Rehber Eczanem” bilgisi çalışmaya özgü kompozit halk sağlığı hizmet kapsam indeksi ile pozitif yönde; günlük müracaat sayısı/çalışan sayısı oranı ise negatif yönde ilişkili bulunmuştur. Bulgular, toplum eczanelerinin halk sağlığında önemli bir potansiyel taşıdığını, ancak bu potansiyelin iş yükü ve yapısal koşullardan etkilendiğini göstermiştir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Toplum eczanesi
• eczacılar
• halk sağlığı
• sağlığın geliştirilmesi
• eczacılık hizmetleri

Destekleyen Kurum

Bu çalışma kapsamında herhangi bir kurum veya kuruluştan mali destek alınmamıştır.

Etik Beyan

Araştırma için Marmara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Etik Kurulu’ndan onay alınmıştır (24.12.2024; Karar No: 09.2024.1581).

Teşekkür

Bu araştırmaya katılım sağlayarak katkıda bulunan tüm eczacılara teşekkür ederiz.

Kaynakça

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