A mixed-methods evaluation of community pharmacy referral scheme to a commercial pharmacy weight management programme

Inch, Jackie and Avenell, Alison and Aucott, Lorna and Watson, Margaret C (2018) A mixed-methods evaluation of community pharmacy referral scheme to a commercial pharmacy weight management programme. Public Health Nutrition, 21 (12). pp. 2311-2319. ISSN 1368-9800 (https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980018000733)

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Abstract

Objective: Community pharmacies could provide access for clients to commercial weight management organizations. We evaluated recruitment, referral and outcomes of adults provided with free vouchers by community pharmacies to attend Scottish Slimmers classes. Design: Prospective cohort design with qualitative interviews with clients and pharmacy personnel. Scottish Slimmers collected weight and attendance data. Setting: Pharmacies in Aberdeen City, Scotland. Subjects: Clients aged ≥18 years with BMI≥30 kg/m2. Results: Ten of twenty-three pharmacies were recruited; eight successfully recruited clients. Of 129 clients recruited, ninety-seven (75 %) attended at least one class and fifty-one (40 %) attended all twelve classes. At baseline, clients' mean weight was 99·4 (sd 17·5) kg, mean BMI was 37·8 (sd 6·0) kg/m2. After 12 weeks, mean weight change was −3·7 % (last observation carried forward) or −2·8 % (baseline observation carried forward) for all ninety-seven clients. Client interviews indicated that many individuals would have not addressed their weight problems if this referral service had not been available. They had positive attitudes towards the pharmacy signposting service, attributed to the use of consultation rooms for privacy, receiving professional service from personnel and ongoing support and encouragement. The free provision of 12-week access facilitated participation. Service providers had positive attitudes and indicated their willingness to provide this service in future. Conclusions: Community pharmacies could be used to increase access to weight management services, with pharmacy personnel providing additional support to clients. Future provision of pharmacy referral schemes should be evaluated on a larger scale with an economic evaluation.

ORCID iDs

Inch, Jackie, Avenell, Alison, Aucott, Lorna and Watson, Margaret C ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8198-9273;
  • Item type:Article
    ID code:68960
    Dates:
    Date
    Event
    1 August 2018
    Published
    23 April 2018
    Published Online
    2 March 2018
    Accepted
    Notes:This article has been published in final form in Public Health Nutrition https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980018000733. This version is free to view and download for private research and study only. Not for re-distribution, re-sale or use in derivative works. © The Authors 2018
    Subjects:Medicine > Therapeutics. Pharmacology
    Department:Faculty of Science > Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences
    Depositing user: Pure Administrator
    Date deposited:22 Jul 2019 14:23
    Last modified:14 Nov 2024 01:13
    URI:https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/68960
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