Developing a healthcare service for patients experiencing late effects of cancer: a new role for community pharmacy?

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Background
More than 50 % of cancer survivors experience a range of late effects following their disease and treatment, e.g. fatigue, chronic pain or lymphedema. Unfortunately, current models of follow-up care do not adequately target late effects. Since community pharmacists are the most publicly accessible healthcare professionals (HCPs) and evidence-based patient-centered pharmacy services can improve health and health-related quality of life, community pharmacies have the potential to contribute to an intervention targeting late effects of cancer (LEC).

Purpose
To develop a cross-sectional and interdisciplinary health care service (HCS) targeting late effects of cancer, which includes participation of community pharmacies.

Methods
The study uses appreciative inquiry to develop the HCS, preceded by an exploratory phase to collect data to support the development phase. We only report results from the exploratory phase. This phase consisted of two questionnaire studies (on patients’ needs and experiences with LEC and pharmacy staff’s knowledge of cancer and interest in the HCS) and an actor analysis based on semi-structured interviews with HCPs from late effect clinics and municipal cancer rehabilitation centers.

Findings
In total, 354 cancer patients from the Patient Panel of the Danish Cancer Society responded to the questionnaire. Three of four reported experiencing LEC and lack of counselling; 23% did not discuss symptoms with HCPs. Half the respondents stated they would participate in a free-of-charge HCS on LEC at their community pharmacy. Further, 134 community pharmacy staff members typically rated having ‘very little’ or ‘some’ knowledge on the cancer-related topics in the questionnaire. Lack of knowledge was rated as the most significant barrier to counselling cancer patients in community pharmacies. Pharmacy staff found it ‘important’ or ‘very important' to learn more, and 49 pharmacies expressed interest in participating in the development of the HCS. Preliminary results from the 12 interviews used for the actor analysis showed that few clinicians screened for LEC, but agreed that collaboration between multiple HCPs is essential for successful management of LEC.

Conclusion
Preliminary results from both cancer survivors and HCPs involved in cancer care supported the development of a HCS for cancer survivors experiencing LEC. Results from the exploratory phase reveal that cancer survivors suffer from unresolved LEC and that there is a potential for including community pharmacies in a cross-sectorial and interdisciplinary HCS targeting such late effects. The next phase in the project is the co-creation of the HCS with community pharmacies, patients, GPs, municipalities and hospitals.
Original languageEnglish
Publication date2023
Publication statusPublished - 2023
Event13th Working Conference 2023,
Pharmacies' new roles in pharmaceutical care: bridging research and practice: PCNE Working conference
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Duration: 8 Feb 202311 Feb 2023
Conference number: 13

Conference

Conference13th Working Conference 2023,
Pharmacies' new roles in pharmaceutical care: bridging research and practice
Number13
Period08/02/202311/02/2023

Bibliographical note

Abstract nr. 626

ID: 331650403