Open AccessN ova S cotia pharmacists' knowledge of, experiences with and perception of factors interfering with their ability to provide emergency contraceptive pill consultations
Author(s) -
Whelan Anne Marie,
Langille Donald B.,
Hurst Eileen
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
international journal of pharmacy practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.42
H-Index - 37
eISSN - 2042-7174
pISSN - 0961-7671
DOI - 10.1111/ijpp.12017
Subject(s) - medicine , pill , family medicine , medical prescription , pharmacist , nova scotia , staffing , emergency contraception , pharmacy , family planning , nursing , population , environmental health , research methodology , archaeology , history
Objective The objective of this research was to explore pharmacists' knowledge of, experiences with and perception of factors interfering with their ability to provide non‐prescription emergency contraceptive pill consultations in the C anadian province of N ova S cotia. Methods A self‐administered paper questionnaire was mailed, using D illman's tailored design method, to all pharmacists ( n = 1123) registered with the N ova S cotia C ollege of P harmacists. Key findings The response rate was 53.0% (595/1123), with 451 respondents working in community practice. Most respondents reported that they had provided consultations for the emergency contraceptive product P lan B since it became available without a prescription (93.6%), and that P lan B is kept behind the pharmacy counter (83.6%). Pharmacists most frequently (47.8%) reported spending 6–10 min providing P lan B consultations. Respondents were generally knowledgeable about P lan B ; however, only 39.2% knew that it can be effective for up to 5 days and 69.3% knew that the incidence of vomiting is less than 50%. The factors interfering the most with providing P lan B consultations were lack of privacy (46.1%) and lack of staff to cover during the consultation (50.9%). Conclusions In general, N ova S cotia pharmacists are knowledgeable about emergency contraceptive pills; however, education regarding effective timing for use of such pills would be helpful. Private areas for counselling and consideration of pharmacy staffing schedules in community pharmacies may help address pharmacist concerns regarding their ability to provide P lan B consultations.