Oct-Dec, 2011 - Indian Journal of Pharmacy Practice

Ramanath K.V -Evaluation of the Impact of a Training Module on Patient Counseling for Practising Community PharmacistsstndTable4: Use of individual patient counseling items by the community pharmacists after the I and II training programsItems Number of pharmacist Number of pharmaciststin I trainingndII training1.Conducts appropriate counseling introduction 14(100%) 21(100%)2.Obtains patient initial drug related problems 2(14.28%) 20(95.2%)3. Warns patient about taking other medication 0(0) 9(42.85% )4. Assesses the patient understanding the therapy 10(71.42%) 21(100% )5. discusses the need and indication of the medication 13(92.85%) 21(100%)6. Explains the dosage regimen 12(85.71%) 21(100%)7. Explains how long to take 5(35.71%) 18(85.71%)8.Discusses storage recommendations 0(0) 13(61.90%)9.Discusses the potential side effects 2(14.28%) 7(33.33 %)10. Discusses the how to manage the side effects of drug if they do occur 2(14.28%) 7(33.33% )11.Discusses precautions 4(28.57%) 15(71.42% )12. Discusses the significant interactions 1(7.14%) 3(14.28%)13.Explains what to do if the patient misses the dose 0(0) 3(14.28%)14. Uses the language patient is likely to understand 14(100) 21(100% )15.Uses appropriate counseling aids 5(35.71%) 6(28.57% )16.Uses open ended questions 11(78.57%) 2 (100% )17.Verifies the patient understandings 5(35.71%) 16(76.19%)18.Summarize by emphasizing key point of the information 1(7.14%) 9(42.85%)19.Provides an opportunity for final concerns or questions 3(21.42%) 8(38.09%)20.Helps patient to plan follow-up and next step 2(14.28%) 16(76.19% )When community pharmacists were approached during thefirst training module, they have given many reasonsexpressing their inability to attend the training programme.Common reasons for not attending the training were lack oftime, lack of interest, and lack of locum,. Pharmacist's showedlack of awareness about the professional responsibilities andattitude for learning in the second training program. and manypharmacist have attended from near by village & number ofparticipants was increased by 50%. The reason for thisenhancement was identified as increased awareness andcoordination by the fellow pharmacist who attended thetraining program.The result of the pretest suggested that many pharmacistknowledge base is poor. because, most of the pharmacist havecompleted their professional qualification that is diploma inpharmacy, five years ago (70%). During their practicepharmacists were restricted only to dispensing and did nothave an opportunity to enhance their knowledge in theirregular practice. Only the continuing education program mayhelp them to nurture their knowledge and professional skills.The post test results suggested that though the communitypharmacist were away from the college for long time, they arein the profession, there by they performed better counseling.During the first counseling skills assessment, it was observedthat no community pharmacist warned the patient abouttaking the drugs of other systems like Ayurveda/Homeopathy.No pharmacist gave any storage recommendations and theinformation in case the patient misses a dose. Very fewpharmacists discussed about the potential side effects andstrategies to over come them.ndDuring the 2 training assessment the performance of theCommunity Pharmacists was considerably enhanced. Thismay be because of giving the feedback to the pharmacistsregarding their strengths and weakness and helping them totune their skills.The validation results proved that the designed trainingmodule was appropriate and kindled interest for counseling,helped them to analyze and reduced their barrier forcounseling. All the pharmacists agreed that the programenhanced their communication skills. They also suggestedthat these programs should be conducted at least once in twomonths. This suggests that if proper training is given to all thepharmacists will be motivated to offer the patient counseling.CONCLUSIONSelected community pharmacists of Mysore city were trainedin two modules on diseases like Diabetes, hypertension,asthma, peptic ulcer disease, malaria, tuberculosis andIndian Journal of Pharmacy Practice Volume 4 Issue 4 Oct - Dec, 2011 83