Approach to the role of the pharmacist in health related quality of life
Main Article Content
Keywords
Health related quality of life, Pharmacotherapy follow-up, Pharmaceutical care
Abstract
To improve health related quality of life (HRQoL) is a main objective of pharmaceutical care. The aim of the present study was to identify the knowledge, attitude and performance of community pharmacists on the assessment and the use of HRQoL tools.
The study was an observational based on an emailed survey during March to May 2005. A questionnaire focused on quality of life and pharmacy practice was sent to the pharmacists included in Pharmaceutical Care Center (CAF-STADA), a total of 1601. Literature on HRQoL and pharmacy practice and specifically MOS SF-36was sent to the pharmacists surveyed: then, a link to a webpage containing a validated questionnaire to gather their opinions.
Results showed that, although pharmacists are not much aware HRQoL, they are show a very positive attitude to use tools for evaluate patients’ HRQoL. They recognize their need for supplementary education and training. Additionally, pharmacists state to be subjectively assessing HRQoL in their patients, without documenting it.
These results demonstrate the potential role of the pharmacist in assessing HRQoL. This assessment could be included in pharmacotherapy follow-up, in order to assess the outcomes on quality of life, as stated in original definition of pharmaceutical care.
References
2. Testa M, Simonson D. Assessment of quality-of-life outcomes. N Engl J Med 1996; 334 (13): 835-40.
3. Sullivan P, Wu A. Quality of life and HIV: Current assessment tools and future directions for clinical practice. AIDS Read 2003;13(12):583-97.
4. Soto Álvarez J Incorporación de estudios de calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en los ensayos clínicos: bases y recomendaciones prácticas. Uso de una lista-guía para su correcto diseño y/o evaluación An. Med. Interna (Madrid) 2003; 20(12): 633-44.
5. Alonso J. La medida de la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en la investigación y la práctica clínica. Gac Sanit 2000;14(2):163-7.
6. Martin Zurro A, Cano Perez JF. Atención Primaria. Conceptos, organización y práctica clínica. 5ta Edición. p250.
7. Lohr KN, Aaronson NK, Alonso J, Burnam MA, Patrick DL, Perrin EB, Roberts JS.. Evaluating quality of life and health status instruments: development of scientific review criteria. Clin Ther 1996; 18: 979-92.
8. Ventegodt S, Merrick J, Andersen N. Meassurement of Quality of Life IV. Use of the SEQOL, QOL5, QOL1, and other global and generic questionaires. TheScientificWordlJOURNAL 2003;3:992-1001.
9. Velarde-Jurado E, Ávila-Figueroa C. Consideraciones metodológicas para evaluar la calidad de vida. Salud Publica Mex 2002;44:448-463.
10. Anguita, JC, Labrador JRR, Candel JP. Medidas de calidad de vida relacionada con la salud. Conceptos básicos, construcción y adaptación cultural. Med Clín (Barc) 2001; 116(20): 798-6.
11. Hepler CD, Strand LM. Opportunities and responsibilities in pharmaceutical care. Am J Hosp Pharm. 1990; 47(3): 533-43.
12. Dirección General de Farmacia y Productos Sanitarios. Consenso Español de Atención Farmacéutica. Ars Pharm 2001; 42: 221-41.
13. Kheir N, Emmerton L, Shaw J. Can pharmacists influence the health-related quality of life patients with asthma? Medical Sciences 2001;3(2):69-75.
14. Bentley JP, Smith MC, Banahan III BF, Frate DA Parks BR. Quality of life assessment by community pharmacists: an exploratory study. Quality Life Res 1998;7(2): 175-86.
15. Pickard S. Johnsdon J, Farris KB. The impact of Pharmacists interventions on Health-related Quality of Life. Ann Pharmacother 1999;33:1167-72.
16. Kheir N, Foppe van Mill J, Shaw J, Sheridan J. Health-related quality of life measurement in pharmaceutical care. Targeting outcome that matters. Pharm World Sci 2004;26:125-8.
17. Zillich A, Ryan M, Adams A, Yeager B, Farris K. Effectiveness of a Pharmacist-based smoking-cessation program and its impact on quality of life. Pharmacotherapy 2002;22(6):759-65.
18. Salek M. Health-related quality of life measurement. A new Challenge for pharmacy practitioners. J Pharm Pharmacol 1993;45(suppl1):387-92.