English Community Pharmacists’ Experiences of Providing Health Behaviour Advice to Patients With Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

Background: The progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is modifiable through health behaviours. Community pharmacists are ideally placed to facilitate CVD self-management however research demonstrates varying levels of pharmacist engagement in providing behaviour change advice (BCA). This study explored pharmacists’ experiences of providing BCA to patients with CVD. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 pharmacists recruited from community pharmacies across the English Midlands. A thematic analysis was conducted using a Framework approach. Findings: Pharmacists categorised patients according to their perceptions of patients’ ability to benefit from advice; this influenced BCA provision. Self-efficacy to provide BCA varied. Professional identity was a key theme; beliefs concerning whether pharmacists should provide BCA varied. Professional identity and associated role conflict appeared to underpin many perceived barriers to providing BCA. Conclusions: Interventions designed to increase pharmacists’ self-efficacy to provide BCA, to integrate BCA into regular practice, and challenge pharmacists’ perceptions of patients’ receptiveness to BCA may be beneficial.