Briefing Note- Group B

About the project

Tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a key public health priority. Inappropriate use and overuse of antimicrobials such as antibiotics is a major driver of antimicrobial resistance. Community Pharmacy teams have a key role in contributing to public health and promoting healthy living with the public. The project aims to assess the use of a resource as an integrated core part of community pharmacy practice for two weeks. This intervention will be evaluated by a randomised controlled trial. It is hoped that this project will generate evidence on the vital role played by Community Pharmacy Teams within public health. This project will also help provide evidence and contributes to Healthy Living Pharmacies, Making Every Contact Count and improving quality. Pharmacies can use the data collection as evidence of audit.

Who is doing the study?

The research leads for this study are Drs Diane Ashiru-Oredope, and Chaam Klinger. It is funded by the Public Health England Antimicrobial Resistance Programme and will take place in the South West of England and in Southwark.

 

What do you need to do?

• Collect some simple data on all conversations about self-care advice relating to patients/customers who come into the pharmacy with symptom related queries on
  • Middle-ear infection
  • Sore throat
  • Common cold/runny nose
  • Sinusitis
  • Cough or bronchitis

during the two weeks beginning 22^nd and 29^th January 2018. This should take a few minutes per day as there is no data being collected that you wouldn’t have already obtained as part of normal conversations with the patient/customer. A Consultation Data Input Sheet has been provided to aid data collection and data should be submitted using the PharmOutcomes Portal.

• Complete questionnaires about your experience of giving self-care advice to people with common infections which should take no more than 10 minutes.

 

Who has been invited to participate?

• All patient/customer facing staff in pharmacies in Avon, Cornwall, Devon, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Southwark are invited to take part.

 

Which patients/customers are included in the study?

Any patient/customer coming to your pharmacy who asks you for advice with any of the following infections:

• Middle-ear infection
• Sore throat
• Common cold/runny nose
• Sinusitis
• Cough or bronchitis

Which patients/customers are not included in the study?

• Patients/customers coming to the pharmacy with the above respiratory tract infections who have a prescription for antibiotics from their GP
• Patients/customers who buy a product will be excluded if they do not seek advice on managing their illness
• Patients/customers coming to the pharmacy for any other reason such as self-care for other conditions (for example back pain, constipation, etc.)

What are the timelines for the project?

Action	Commence week beginning
You will receive briefing notes and Consultation Data Input Sheets	2nd Jan 2018
Complete Consultation Data Input Sheet for 2 weeks	22nd and 29th Jan 2018
Evaluation questionnaires will be sent you	5th Feb 2018
Deadline for questionnaire completion	18th Feb 2018

What should I be aware of when completing the Consultation Data Input Sheet?

A Consultation Data Input Sheet has been provided to aid data collection and data should be submitted using the PharmOutcomes Portal. The key definitions and explanations are listed below. These definitions can also be found in the Consultation Data Input Sheet.

Consultation: Any verbal exchange with a patient/customer about symptoms of the common infections listed above. This may include minimal contact such as a simple request for a cough medicine

Age group code: C: Child; T: Teenager; A: Adult; E: Elderly

OTC Meds: Over the counter medications given/purchased.

Advised to see GP/ Out of hours/ A and E-

“No” indicates either

• you did not mention the GP or
• you advised the patient/customer not to see the GP if they asked you or
• you suggested they should see them only if things do not improve.

“Yes” indicates you suggested the patient/customer should contact the GP straight away.

Yes GP= GP

Yes OOH service= OOH

Yes A and E= AE

Self-care advice given-“Yes” indicates you suggested simple measure that patients/customers can take to care for themselves; for example taking plenty of rest. Dosage or compliance advice is not included. “No” indicates no advice on these matters was offered.

Leaflet given: Did you give a leaflet about antibiotics, infections or self-care for them to take home? If “yes”, what is the name of the leaflet you used?

When should I complete the Consultation Data Input Sheet?

It is best to complete the data input each time you have a consultation. This will help to capture the data accurately and ensure that all of the information is captured. Data should be submitted using the PharmOutcomes Portal. Remember to ensure that no patient/customer-sensitive information, such as names or addresses are included. All data should be added to PharmOutcomes by 9th February 2018.

 

When should I complete the Post-Study Questionnaire?            

Please complete the questionnaire as soon as possible when you receive it and before the 18^th of February. If you have been away on annual leave during the study period (22^nd Jan to 4^th Feb 2018), please do not complete the questionnaire.

 

Will the information obtained in the study be confidential?

• This study has been reviewed by the PHE ethics and government group. In accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998, data will be kept confidential as follows: Data will be collected via questionnaires and data entry forms. Data will be stored on PharmOutcomes and PHE secure servers. No identifiable data will be collected.

What will happen to the results of the study?

• Summary of findings will be included in the 2018 national English Surveillance Programme for Antimicrobial Utilisation and Resistance (ESPAUR) report. Full findings will be submitted for peer review publication. We will provide a 1 page summary of findings to all participating pharmacies.

 

Do I have to take part?

• Taking part is entirely voluntary, and all participants will be asked to sign a consent form.

 

What are the advantages/benefits and disadvantages/risks of taking part?

The data being collected should be part of a normal consultation with the patient/customer who comes in with a symptom related request, and therefore this should not take more than a few minutes per day. Findings from this project can help improve and enhance pharmacy practice by;

• Empowering pharmacists/pharmacy staff to have infection related self-care conversations with patients/customers
• Increasing appropriate use of NHS resources and potentially reducing pressure on GPs
• Using available resources and signposting to sources of advice. This is an important aspect of Healthy Living Pharmacy champions as part of Making Every Contact Count (MECC).

 

If the study produces favourable results, it could be supported as part of the national “Stay Well this Winter” campaign in pharmacies.

 

A payment of £50 per pharmacy will be available on completion of the study and submission of data.

 

Can I withdraw from the study at any time?

Pharmacies may withdraw in writing or by emailing espaur@gov.uk from the study at any point, ideally before the 2^nd of January 2018 when briefing pack and resources will be sent out.

You do not need to provide a reason for withdrawal and there will be no consequences as a result of withdrawal. Please note that data already provided may be included as part of the aggregate data.

 

What was sent with the briefing note

Consultation Data Input Sheet

 

Who do I contact in the event of queries?

If you have any queries, please contact the AMR programme at espaur@gov.uk.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read this briefing note.