Pharmacy care perspectives on problems with HIV antiretroviral therapy in Sweden.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
This study has three main objectives (1) to identify the major problems or difficulties pharmacy staff in Sweden experience regarding pharmacy care of patients receiving antiretroviral therapy, (2) to identify the perceptions of pharmacy staff regarding what are patient-related concerns with antiretroviral therapy and (3) to compare the extent to which pharmacy staff awareness matches patient perceptions regarding what are the major problems or difficulties associated with antiretroviral therapy.

METHODS:
A problem detection study (PDS) containing two questionnaires was conducted:
one to be completed by pharmacy staff and another to be completed by both pharmacy staff and patients. In the latter survey, staff were asked about what they thought that patients would have responded. Staff and patient responses were then matched and compared with one another.

RESULTS:
The pharmacy staff expressed their need for continuous education so as to assist the patients with their complex regimens. The staff were aware that patients were worried about therapy failure and viral resistance, medication-related problems and negative attitudes from the public. The staff however were less aware of the extent to which patients worried about not having their HIV infection under control. The staff also valued written patient information to a much higher extent than the patients.

CONCLUSIONS:
The pharmacy staff' awareness of the major problems HIV patients are experiencing seems incomplete and may lead to lack of concordance between the patients and pharmacy staff. This in turn may lead to non-adherence and poor therapy outcomes. Pharmacy staff should be encouraged to improve and systematically assess patient issues regarding antiretroviral therapy. Through assessing patient needs and concerns, the pharmacists can better identify patient needs and thus better tailor their educational and behavioural interventions to improve therapy outcomes.

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Author information

Author/s: Jallow, Amadou (A); Kälvemark-Sporrong, Sofia (S); Walther-Jallow, Lilian (L); Persson, Peter M (PM); Hellgren, Urban (U); Ericsson, Orjan (O);

Affiliation: Apoteket Källan, Box 64, 14501 Norsborg, Sweden. amadou.jallow(-atsign-)apoteket.se

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Pharmacy world & science : PWS (Pharm World Sci), published in Netherlands. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Aug; vol 29 (issue 4) : pp 412-21

Dates: Created 2007/07/31; Completed 2007/09/27; Revised 2007/11/15;

PMID: 17333497, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Anti-HIV Agents - supply & distribution; therapeutic use
Attitude of Health Personnel
Attitude to Health
Female
HIV Infections - drug therapy; psychology
Humans
Male
Patient Compliance - psychology
Patient Education as Topic

Associated Chemicals: Anti-HIV Agents (0)

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