Osteoarthritis management: Does the pharmacist play a role in bridging the gap between what patients actually know and what they ought to know? Insights from a national online survey

Impact of the Clinical Pharmacist in Rheumatology Practice: A Systematic Review

This is a systematic literature review on the impact of pharmacists in rheumatology, conducted using the PubMed®, CINAHL®, Cochrane Library®, and Web of science® databases and using the PRISMA 2020 checklist. This review was conducted from 2000 to June 2024. A quality analysis was performed. The selection of articles, as well as all analyses, including quality analyses, were conducted by a pair of pharmacists with experience in rheumatology, and included 24 articles. This study highlights the growth of clinical pharmacy activities in rheumatology and the positive influence of clinical pharmacists on patient care. The implementation of such initiatives has the potential to improve medication adherence, reduce medication-related risks, and optimize associated healthcare costs. All these pharmaceutical interventions aim to make the patient care journey smoother and safer. Additionally, the diversity of available pharmaceutical services caters to the varied needs of rheumatology. Furthermore, outpatient clinical pharmacy is also explored in this field and garners interest from patients. The vast majority of studies demonstrate significant improvement in patient care with promising performance outcomes when pharmacists are involved. This review highlights the diverse range of interventions by clinical pharmacists in rheumatology, which is very promising. However, to better assess the benefits of clinical pharmacists, this activity needs further development and evaluation through controlled and randomized clinical research programs.

Effectiveness of community pharmacist-led interventions in osteoarthritis pain management: A cluster-randomized trial

BACKGROUND

Community pharmacists contribute in osteoarthritis management via evidence-based pain management services. However, their roles and impacts on osteoarthritis management in low- and middle-income countries have yet to be explored.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of community pharmacist-led educational intervention and medication review among osteoarthritis patients.

METHODS

A 6-month cluster-randomized controlled study was conducted in 22 community pharmacies of Nepal. Patients clinically diagnosed with osteoarthritis, aged 18 years and above, with a poor knowledge level of osteoarthritis and pain management were enrolled in the study. The intervention groups were educated on osteoarthritis and pain management, and had their medications reviewed while control group received usual care. Primary outcomes evaluated for the study were the change in pain levels, knowledge, and physical functional scores at 3 and 6 months. Repeated analyses of covariance were performed to examine the outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 158 participants were recruited for the study. The intervention group reported improvements in pain score (mean difference 0.473, 95 % CI 0.047 to 0.900) at 3 months and the end of the study (mean difference 0.469, 95 % CI 0.047 to 0.891) as compared to control. Similarly, improvement in knowledge scores were observed in the intervention group at 3 months (mean difference 5.320, 95 % CI 4.982 to 5.658) and 6 months (mean difference 5.411, 95 % CI 5.086 to 5.735). No differences were observed in other outcomes, including physical functional score, depression, and quality of life.

CONCLUSION

Community pharmacist-led intervention improved patients' knowledge of osteoarthritis and pain management. While pain scores improved, physical functional score, depression, and quality of life score remained unchanged.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05337709.

Co-development and testing of an extended community pharmacy model of service delivery for managing osteoarthritis: protocol for a sequential, multi-methods study (PharmOA)

BACKGROUND

Osteoarthritis is a common, painful and disabling long-term condition. Delivery of high-quality guideline-informed osteoarthritis care that successfully promotes and maintains supported self-management is imperative. However, osteoarthritis care remains inconsistent, including under use of core non-pharmacological approaches of education, exercise and weight loss. Community pharmacies are an accessible healthcare provider. United Kingdom government initiatives are promoting their involvement in a range of long-term conditions, including musculoskeletal conditions. It is not known what an enhanced community pharmacy role for osteoarthritis care should include, what support is needed to deliver such a role, and whether it would be feasible and acceptable to community pharmacy teams. In this (PharmOA) study, we aim to address these gaps, and co-design and test an evidence-based extended community pharmacy model of service delivery for managing osteoarthritis.

METHODS

Informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework, Normalisation Process Theory, and the Medical Research Council (MRC) framework for developing complex interventions, we will undertake a multi-methods study involving five phases: 1. Systematic review to summarise currently available evidence on community pharmacy roles in supporting adults with osteoarthritis and other chronic (non-cancer) pain. 2. Cross-sectional surveys and one-to-one qualitative interviews with patients, healthcare professionals and pharmacy staff to explore experiences of current, and potential extended community pharmacy roles, in delivering osteoarthritis care. 3. Stakeholder co-design to: a) agree on the extended role of community pharmacies in osteoarthritis care; b) develop a model of osteoarthritis care within which the extended roles could be delivered (PharmOA model of service delivery); and c) refine existing tools to support community pharmacies to deliver extended osteoarthritis care roles (PharmOA tools). 4. Feasibility study to explore the acceptability and feasibility of the PharmOA model of service delivery and PharmOA tools to community pharmacy teams. 5. Final stakeholder workshop to: a) finalise the PharmOA model of service delivery and PharmOA tools, and b) if applicable, prioritise recommendations for its wider future implementation.

DISCUSSION

This novel study paves the way to improving access to and availability of high-quality guideline-informed, consistent care for people with osteoarthritis from within community pharmacies.