The effect of an intervention programme to improve health education leaflet uptake and distribution in community pharmacies.

Abstract

The effect of an intervention programme to improve health education leaflet uptake in community pharmacies was conducted with a small convenience sample of 12 community pharmacies in North Staffordshire, UK. The intervention consisted of four different modes of leaflet provision. Modes 1 and 2 (without and with overt offer of advice from pharmacist respectively) relied upon the pharmacy client to actively obtain a leaflet, whereas Modes 3 and 4 (without and with offer of advice from pharmacist respectively) relied upon pharmacy staff to actively provide a leaflet. All 12 community pharmacies received 50 copies of a purposefully designed leaflet. The intervention extended over one calendar month. Data was collected during the intervention via monitoring forms completed by the pharmacist on a day to day basis, and interviews were conducted with the pharmacists at the end of the study. The overall uptake or distribution rate of leaflets was 64%. In both modes which offered advice (Modes 2 and 4), approximately one of every five leaflet recipients sought advice. The community pharmacists considered the intervention to be feasible, effective and enabled the utilisation of their skills.