Perspectives on the role of the community pharmacist in the provision of healthcare to people with intellectual disabilities: exploration of the barriers and solutions

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was twofold: to gain an understanding of the perceptions of individual pharmacists in relation to their role in the provision of healthcare for people with intellectual disabilities, and to identify barriers impacting on successful implementation of this role; secondly to explore strategies and solutions for improving pharmacists' involvement in the delivery of healthcare to this group. Setting: A purposeful sample of 10 community pharmacists, located in the Loddon Mallee Region, north central rural Victoria, Australia. Method: A descriptive qualitative design was adopted in this study. Data collection was via face-to-face, one-to-one, semi-structured interviews. The data were analysed thematically via a three-stage coding process: open, axial and selective coding. Key findings: The study highlighted factors such as time resources; education, training, and experience in the field of intellectual disabilities; inadequate interprofessional communication; and the client's communication abilities and capacity to understand to be the most significant barriers to the provision of healthcare to people with intellectual disabilities, for this sample of community pharmacists. Suggested solutions to these barriers included emphasising the need for education and training, and increased staff recruitment. Community pharmacists emphasised the need for adequate collaboration with other health professionals, and the importance of communication with people with intellectual disabilities and their carers. Conclusion: The research study highlighted a significant number of barriers perceived by the sample of community pharmacists, and proposed solutions to overcome these barriers in order to better assist community pharmacists in providing healthcare to people with intellectual disabilities. ? 2006 The Authors.