Tele‐pharmacy in rural Scotland: a proof of concept study

Technology enables medical services to be provided to rural communities. This proof of concept study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of delivering community pharmacy services ( CPS ; including advice, sale of over‐the‐counter products and dispensing of prescriptions) by tele‐technology (the Telepharmacy Robotic Supply Service ( TPRSS )) to a rural population in Scotland. Methods Data collection included the following: postal surveys to local residents; focus groups/ interviews with pharmacists, other healthcare professionals ( HCP s) and service users, at baseline and follow‐up; TPRSS logs. Interviews/focus groups were audio‐recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed. Descriptive statistics were reported for survey data. Results Qualitative results: Pre‐installation: residents expressed satisfaction with current pharmacy access. HCP s believed the TPRSS would improve pharmacy access and reduce pressure on GP s. Concerns included costs, confidentiality, patient safety and ‘fear’ of technology. Post‐installation: residents and pharmacy staff were positive, finding the service easy to use. Quantitative results : Pre‐installation: almost half the respondents received regular prescription medicines and a third used an over‐the‐counter ( OTC ) medicine at least monthly. More than 80% (124/156) reported they would use the TPRSS . There was low awareness of the minor ailment service ( MAS ; 38%; 59/156). Post‐installation: prescription ordering and OTC medicine purchase were used most frequently; the video link was used infrequently. Reasons for non‐use were lack of need (36%; 40/112) and linkage to only one pharmacy (31%; 35/112). Discussion Community pharmacy services delivered remotely using tele‐technology are feasible and acceptable. A larger study should be undertaken to confirm the potential of the TPRSS to reduce health inequalities in rural areas.