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National Survey of Australia's Community Pharmacies in 2002: Rationale and Methodology
Author(s) -
Berbatis Con G
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of pharmacy practice and research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.222
H-Index - 22
eISSN - 2055-2335
pISSN - 1445-937X
DOI - 10.1002/jppr2002322143
Subject(s) - pharmacy , medicine , stratified sampling , telephone survey , hospital pharmacy , family medicine , public relations , marketing , business , pathology , political science
Aim: To describe the rationale and methods for a national study of pharmacy practice activities performed in Australia's community pharmacies. The purpose is to produce a reference set of data on Australia's community pharmacies for subsequent national and international comparisons. Background: There is no standard reference database of Australian pharmacy practice services against which changes can be monitored or international comparisons made. The lack of national data restricts the ability of pharmacy bodies to plan, quantify and rationally develop policies. Study Design: A national survey of respondents in stratified 15% random samples of Australia's community pharmacies was undertaken. The stratification was based on categories 1 to 6 of PHARIA 2001. An advisory panel of representatives of national pharmacy bodies and experienced pharmacy researchers was formed to guide the study and monitor the results. The survey instrument was constructed to maximise response rates and minimise measurement, coverage, non‐response and sampling errors. The project was publicised in a variety of pharmacy publications early in 2002 to make pharmacists aware of the project and to encourage participation. Multiple contacts and mixed‐mode surveys by telephone, mail, facsimile and Internet will be used in the selected pharmacies to achieve a 75% response rate. Survey items have been divided into sections of 1. pharmacy and staff characteristics, 2. the types of services (e.g. general, pharmacy care, specialised activities), and 3. technical facilities used in health‐related activities. Analysis of the items in each section and the associations between them will quantify the rates of, and factors related to, the provision and distribution of pharmacy services in Australia.