Exploration of the effects of an innovative mentalization-based training on patient-centered communication skills of pharmacy staff: A video-observation study

OBJECTIVE

To explore whether a mentalization-based communication training for pharmacy staff impacts their ability to elicit and recognize patients' implicit and explicit medication related needs and concerns.

METHODS

A single-arm intervention pilot study was conducted, in which pre-post video-recordings of pharmacy counter-conversations on dispensed-medication (N = 50 and N = 34, respectively; pharmacy staff: N = 22) were coded. Outcome measures included: detecting needs and concerns, and implicitly and explicitly eliciting and recognizing them. Descriptive statistics and a multi-level logistic regression were conducted. Excerpts of videos with needs or concerns were analyzed thematically on mentalizing attitude aspects.

RESULTS

Indications show that patients more often express their concerns in an explicit way post-measurement, just as pharmacy staffs' explicit recognition and elicitation of needs and concerns. This was not seen for patients' needs. No statistically significant differences were found for determinants for detecting needs or concerns (i.e., measurement-, professional-type, or interaction). Differences in mentalizing attitude were observed between pre-post-measurements, e.g., more attention for patients.

CONCLUSION

This mentalizing training shows the potential of mentalizing to improve pharmacy staff members' explicit elicitation and recognition of patients' medication-related needs and concerns.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The training seems promising for improving patient-oriented communication skills in pharmacy staff. Future studies should confirm this result.

European principles of care for women and girls with inherited bleeding disorders

INTRODUCTION

Despite increasing awareness of issues faced by women and girls with inherited BDs (WGBD), standards of care are lacking, with disparities in diagnosis and treatment for WGBD across Europe. We aimed to develop practical principles of care (PoC) to promote standardization of care for WGBD within European Haemophilia Treatment and Comprehensive Care Centres (HTC/CCCs).

METHODS

The co-creation process, supported by the European Association for Haemophilia and Allied Disorders, consisted of four multidisciplinary meetings with health care providers (HCPs) experienced in WGBD care, and European Haemophilia Consortium representatives, combined with broad patient and HCP consultations in the European haemophilia community. Relevant medical societies outside Europe were contacted for confirmation.

RESULTS

We developed ten PoC for WGBD, stressing the importance and benefits of a centralized, multidisciplinary, comprehensive, family-centred approach to support and manage WGBD during all life stages. These PoC emphasise the right to equitable access and quality of care for all people with BDs, irrespective of gender. Multiple medical societies outside Europe also confirmed their support for endorsement.

CONCLUSIONS

Ten PoC for WGBD evolved from an iterative process among stakeholders, supported by relevant medical societies worldwide. These PoC can serve as a benchmark for diagnosis and comprehensive multidisciplinary management of WGBD, and improve awareness of their unique challenges. They offer a framework to guide HTC/CCCs in providing equitable care for all WGBD, both in their own services and in other healthcare settings. Implementation of these principles aims to positively impact the health, wellbeing and quality of life for WGBD.