Perceptions of Practice Towards Management of Common Ailments in Indonesian Community Pharmacies: A Cross-Sectional Study
Main Article Content
Managing common ailments is increasingly important in developing countries. It is essential for community pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to manage these ailments effectively to enhance treatment outcomes. While developed countries have successfully implemented such services, Indonesia lacks sufficient documentation of these practices. This disparity is significant since community pharmacies frequently serve as the initial point of contact for the community to seek advice regarding their health problems, particularly for common ailments. Community pharmacies play a significant role in the healthcare system due to their accessibility and trustworthiness in improving public health. This study aimed to evaluate the practice and experiences of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in managing common ailments and their methods and experiences in providing these services. Surveys were conducted from May to June 2023 at professional seminars intended for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. Pharmacists’ and pharmacy technicians’ perceptions of managing common ailments were compared using binary logistic regression. One hundred forty pharmacy technicians and 180 pharmacists in all took part. The findings showed that among the 13 common ailments, acute pain, dermatitis, diarrhoea, eczema, indigestion/heartburn, and wounds (P<0.001) were perceived to be under the pharmacist's practice scope. On the other hand, P<0.001 indicated that conditions such as dandruff, constipation, and mild headaches were considered within the pharmacy technician's practice scope. Significant disparities in perceptions of managing diarrhoea, indigestion, and cough and cold symptoms were also found in the study, underscoring the diverse range of practice areas. Both groups were found to be reluctant to charge for consultations for pharmacy services in managing common ailments, with a higher percentage of pharmacy technicians being against the opinion. The overall findings of this study highlight the significance of focused education for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in improving patient care in Indonesian community pharmacies. Defining clear roles for each professional is essential to enhance training initiatives in creating accessible healthcare facilities for managing common ailments.
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