The role of Sudanese community pharmacists in patients' self-care

Objectives To describe the current and potential roles of Sudanese community pharmacists in responding to symptoms (RTS) and chronic diseases management (CDM) and identify perceived barriers. Settings Community pharmacies in Khartoum State. Method A structured, self-administered, piloted questionnaire was conducted of pharmacists in charge of 274, randomly selected, community pharmacies. Close ended questions and a 5-point Likert-type scale were used to measure responses. Main outcome measure Respondents' demographics, their current activities, attitude and involvement in RTS and CDM and potential barriers. Response rate was 67 %. The majority of respondents (> 90 %) reported that they are involved in RTS activities but have negative views regarding practice standards. They lack specific lists of minor conditions and their treatment (87.4 %), recorded counseling procedure (84.7 %), and referral forms (85.8 %). Almost all community pharmacists see an important role for them in CDM (4.54 +/- A 0.74, 95.3 %) and accept team work with other health care providers (4.46 +/- A 0.74, 87.5 %). Lack of proper knowledge and training, time, space, patients' acceptance and official recognition of pharmacists' new role, were some of the identified barriers. Conclusion Sudanese community pharmacists provide RTS and CDM services; however, clinical knowledge and training and well defined national practice standards needs were identified. The current product-focused activities need to be refined to include more patient-focused services. For Improved patients' self-care services, a number of obstacles identified by surveyed pharmacists need to resolved. This requires collaboration of different parties including academics, governmental bodies and professional organizations.