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Public perceptions and experiences of the minor ailment service in community pharmacy in Scotland.

Boag, Lee; Maclure, Katie; Boyter, Anne; Cunningham, Scott; Akram, Gazala; McQuillan, Harry; Stewart, Derek

Authors

Lee Boag

Katie Maclure

Anne Boyter

Gazala Akram

Harry McQuillan

Derek Stewart



Abstract

The Minor Ailment Service (MAS) in Scottish community pharmacy allows eligible people to gain improved access to care by providing free treatment for self-limiting conditions. To determine the perceptions and experiences of individuals using MAS and to quantify the potential impact on usage of other healthcare services. A cross-sectional survey was conducted of patients accessing MAS across Scotland during June and July 2018. Questionnaire items included reasons for choosing treatment through MAS, which other services they may have accessed had MAS not been available, experiences of consultation, overall satisfaction, and perceived effectiveness of treatment. Those accessing MAS were given a study pack including an information sheet, pre-piloted questionnaire, and pre-paid return envelope. Participants had the option to consent to an optional one-week follow up questionnaire that focused on perceived effectiveness of treatment after seven days and any further access to healthcare services such as general practice, emergency departments or repeat pharmacy visits. There were 1,121 respondents to the initial questionnaire. Most reported 'convenient Location' as the main reason for their access to community pharmacy (n=748; 67.1%). If MAS had not been available, 59% (n=655) of participants reported that they would have accessed general practice for treatment of their minor ailment. Experience of consultations was also rated highly with all ten outcome measures scoring 'Excellent' overall. Satisfaction was reported positively with most participants reporting full satisfaction with the overall experience (n=960; 87.2%). At one-week follow up, 327 participants responded, over 85% (n=281) did not require further access to care to treat their minor ailment and 99.7% (n=326) said they would use MAS again. Positive perceptions and experiences of those using MAS demonstrate a highly regarded service in terms of satisfaction and experience of consultation. The capacity for MAS to impact on the use of higher-cost healthcare services is evidenced through the number of participants who reported these services as a point of access to care should community pharmacy not be available. This national evaluation demonstrates MAS to be a positively experienced service and outlines the factors determining access for treatment of minor ailments.

Citation

BOAG, L., MACLURE, K., BOYTER, A., CUNNINGHAM, S., AKRAM, G., MCQUILLAN, H. and STEWART, D. 2021. Public perceptions and experiences of the minor ailment service in community pharmacy in Scotland. Pharmacy practice [online], 19(1), article 2152. Available from: https://doi.org/10.18549/pharmpract.2021.1.2152

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jan 17, 2021
Online Publication Date Feb 12, 2021
Publication Date Mar 31, 2021
Deposit Date Jul 2, 2021
Publicly Available Date Jul 2, 2021
Journal Pharmacy practice
Print ISSN 1885-642X
Electronic ISSN 1886-3655
Publisher Centro de Investigaciones y Publicaciones Farmaceuticas
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 19
Issue 1
Article Number 2152
DOI https://doi.org/10.18549/pharmpract.2021.1.2152
Keywords Personal satisfaction; Perception; Attitude to health: Patient acceptance of health care; Pharmacies; Community pharmacy services; Outcome assessment, health care; Health services accessibility; Cross-sectional studies; Scotland
Public URL https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/1188150

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