Dr Alice Berry Alice.Berry@uwe.ac.uk
Associate Professor of Rehabilitation
N Nikki Cotterill Nikki.Cotterill@uwe.ac.uk
Professor of Long Term Conditions (Continence Care)
Abstract
Objectives
Community pharmacies and their personnel present an opportunity to implement new services for bladder and bowel continence care. Underpinned by the COM-B model of capability (C), opportunity (O), motivation (M), Behaviour (B)), this study explored the opinions of healthcare staff and users of community pharmacy services, to inform the development of a new pharmacy bladder and bowel service (PBBS).
Methods
A qualitative design was adopted by conducting in-depth semi-structured interviews with pharmacy staff, users of community pharmacy services, bladder and bowel service staff, and professionals involved with commissioning services. A thematic analysis was used, and resulting themes were mapped onto the components of the COM-B model.
Results
A total of 27 participants were interviewed that represented the four groups of participants. A pro-active, protocolised PBBS was envisaged, involving targeted advice and provision of self-help materials, medication support, and referral/follow-up assessment as appropriate. Training programs for pharmacy staff, adequate funding/remuneration and information technology, awareness campaigns, policy support and guidance were identified as key behavioural targets for the success of a potential PBBS. Workforce time and capacity, service user embarrassment and stigma were potential barriers.
Conclusions
The study identified a range of elements to be considered in the design and implementation of a successful PBBS. Informed by the evidence presented by this study, a multi-faceted approach to co-design the service will be required to ensure it is fit for purpose for all healthcare public and policy stakeholders.
