'People still want a face and that's where we can fill in': a qualitative study of community pharmacists' experiences of providing healthcare advice about preconception and pregnancy

Silverio, Sergio A ORCID: 0000-0001-7177-3471, Karki, Pujan, Lakhani, Shivali, Alter, Marsha, Weinman, John and Flynn, Angela C (2023) 'People still want a face and that's where we can fill in': a qualitative study of community pharmacists' experiences of providing healthcare advice about preconception and pregnancy INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACY PRACTICE, 31 (1). pp. 38-45. ISSN 0961-7671, 2042-7174

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Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to explore community pharmacists' practices and attitudes towards the provision of healthcare advice regarding preconception and pregnancy. Methods: A qualitative focus group study was conducted virtually with community pharmacists around urban areas of London in October 2021. A topic guide was utilised to cover pharmacy practice, barriers and confidence in counselling women, education and training and thoughts on how to improve preconception and pregnancy health services. Focus groups were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Key findings: Eleven community pharmacists participated. Three themes were identified: 'Community Driven Needs'; 'Needs of Community Pharmacists'; 'Shared Needs and Understanding' which were related through a central organising concept of 'Unmet Needs in Pharmacy-led Preconception and Pregnancy Care'. Community pharmacists are frequently consulted by women before and during pregnancy, however, a discord was uncovered between current pharmacy practice and the needs of the community. A clear need was identified for the incorporation of risk minimisation counselling focusing on smoking, alcohol intake and drug use. Education and organisational factors were reported as challenges to providing advice. Conclusions: Community pharmacists can play a pivotal role in providing information and support to women before and during pregnancy. Our findings suggest integration of community pharmacy-led structured counselling may be a useful public health strategy to optimise pregnancy health. Our work highlights educational and organisational barriers which hinder the ability of pharmacists to promote preconception and pregnancy health. These must be addressed, and we provide recommendations for change to both policy and practice.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	community pharmacy, preconception, pregnancy, women's health
Divisions:	Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Population Health
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	03 Feb 2023 16:56
Last Modified:	16 Jun 2026 13:25
DOI:	10.1093/ijpp/riac097
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.1093/ijpp/riac097
Related Websites:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3168183
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