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Role of community pharmacists in the use of antipsychotics for behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD): A qualitative study

Maidment, Ian D.; Aston, Lydia; Hilton, Andrea; Iqbal, Naveed; Child, Anne; Shaw, Rachel

Authors

Ian D. Maidment

Lydia Aston

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Dr Andrea Hilton A.Hilton@hull.ac.uk
Reader and Programme director, Non-Medical Prescribing

Naveed Iqbal

Anne Child

Rachel Shaw



Abstract

Objective This study aimed to use qualitative methodology to understand the current role of community pharmacists in limiting the use of antipsychotics prescribed inappropriately for behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. Design A qualitative study employing focus groups was conducted. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Setting 3 different geographical locations in the England. Participants Community pharmacists (n=22). Results The focus groups identified an array of factors and constraints, which affect the ability of community pharmacists to contribute to initiatives to limit the use of antipsychotics. 3 key themes were revealed: (1) politics and the medical hierarchy, which created communication barriers; (2) how resources and remit impact the effectiveness of community pharmacy; and (3) understanding the nature of the treatment of dementia. Conclusions Our findings suggest that an improvement in communication between community pharmacists and healthcare professionals, especially general practitioners (GPs) must occur in order for community pharmacists to assist in limiting the use of antipsychotics in people with dementia. Additionally, extra training in working with people with dementia is required. Thus, an intervention which involves appropriately trained pharmacists working in collaboration with GPs and other caregivers is required. Overall, within the current environment, community pharmacists question the extent to which they can contribute in helping to reduce the prescription of antipsychotics.

Citation

Maidment, I. D., Aston, L., Hilton, A., Iqbal, N., Child, A., & Shaw, R. (2016). Role of community pharmacists in the use of antipsychotics for behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD): A qualitative study. BMJ open, 6(3), Article ARTN e010278. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010278

Acceptance Date Jan 6, 2016
Online Publication Date Mar 16, 2016
Publication Date 2016-03
Deposit Date Mar 24, 2016
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal BMJ open
Print ISSN 2044-6055
Electronic ISSN 2044-6055
Publisher BMJ Publishing Group
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 6
Issue 3
Article Number ARTN e010278
DOI https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010278
Keywords Dementia; Antipsychotics; Pharmacists
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/434099
Publisher URL http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/6/3/e010278
Additional Information Copy of article first published in: BMJ open, 2016, v.6, issue 3

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Copyright Statement
This is an Open Access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/






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