A qualitative study exploring community pharmacists’ awareness, attitudes and perceptions about drive-thru community pharmacy service in Malaysia during COVID-19

Bayan F. Ababneh, Siew Chin Ong, Iffat Elbarazi, Hisham Z. Aljamal, Rabia Hussain

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Introduction: Drive-thru services are not given sufficient focus in the community pharmacy setting which was highlighted during COVID-19, particularly in Malaysia. This study aimed to explore the community pharmacists’ perspectives regarding drive-thru community pharmacy service during COVID-19 in Malaysia. Methods: In-depth online semi-structured individual interviews were conducted among 25 community pharmacists working in Malaysia. All interviews were conducted between March 2022 and May 2022 and were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim, and then analysed by thematic analysis. Results: Thematic analysis yielded seven major themes, 1-familiarity with drive-thru community pharmacy service during COVID-19, 2-willingness toward this service during COVID-19, 3-perceived benefits toward drive-thru community pharmacy service during COVID-19, 4-perceived disadvantages toward this service, 5-barriers toward drive-thru community pharmacy service, 6-factors affecting the preference toward this service, and 7-facilitators to drive-thru community pharmacy service. Enhancing social distancing and preventing the spread of COVID-19 were the major perceived benefits of this service during COVID-19 as reported by participants. Conclusion: Overall, community pharmacists reported positive attitudes toward drive-thru community pharmacy service during COVID-19. However, concerns about poor communication between the pharmacist and the patient, limited counselling, and dispensing errors were acknowledged. These concerns would need to be addressed to improve the provision of drive-thru community pharmacy service.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2303752
JournalJournal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice
Volume17
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Keywords

  • Attitudes
  • COVID-19
  • Malaysia
  • awareness
  • community pharmacists
  • drive-thru community pharmacy service

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacy
  • Health Policy

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