A qualitative study exploring community pharmacists' awareness of, and contribution to, self-care support in the management of long-term conditions in the United Kingdom

摘要: Abstract Background Self-care support refers to activities aimed at educating, training and empowering patients with skills ability manage [and monitor] their long-term conditions (LTCs). While self-care by health care professionals has emerged as a distinct concept in the management of LTCs, evidence community pharmacy's contribution is sparse. Objective The aim was explore LTCs. objectives were how pharmacists conceptualize LTCs they operationalize core elements this practice. Methods Semi-structured interviews conducted England ( n  = 12) Scotland  = 12). A framework consisting (information advice; support; technology; networks; collaborative planning) developed from literature used structure analysis. Analysis done thematically using interpretative phenomenological analysis technique. Results three main themes that conceptualization; operationalization elements; barriers providing support. Participants conceptualized taking responsibility for own health, performing improved enabled them become more independent managing Their views on did not reflect conceptual understanding but described primarily information advice rather than actively supporting them. Participants' operationalizing found be medicines focused, opportunistic dependent services provided, being patient-centered proactive. pharmacy priority accorded dispensing activities, contract, lack incentives provide patients' expectations awareness role management. Conclusion Community pharmacists' theoretical reflected ways portrayed contributions current which delivers its patient may need re-configured order fit into holistic paradigm.