Impact of COVID-19 on patient-pharmacist interaction in a community setting

Abstract

Specific Aims: To explore whether the COVID-19 pandemic affected time patients spent with their community pharmacist, and whether the length and quality of the consultation time impacted the patients’ understanding of their medication and health outcomes. Methods: A questionnaire was administered in person to residents of Western Winds senior living apartments in Tucson, Az. The questionnaire was administered in person by the students conducting this project. Some residents at Western Winds property filled the questionnaire themselves and for those who could not, the students read the questions and answer choices to them and entered the responses on the questionnaire. The questionnaires inquired about residents’ present disease states, previous and new medications started during COVID-19, patient access to and means of receiving medication before and during COVID-19, whether the pandemic affected time present with their pharmacist and understanding of medications, and effect on their overall health. Main Results: Questionnaires were completed by 25 older adult participants. To ensure participant privacy, no demographic or other information that could directly identify the residents was collected in the survey. Thus, the characteristics of study participants cannot be described. Overall, participants reported the amount of time or quality of interaction with their pharmacist was not affected by COVID-19. Those who continued picking up their medicines in-person during the pandemic reported about the same level of safety going to the pharmacy. The main reasons they gave were that they were vaccinated and always wore their masks. Conclusions: The amount and quality of time patients spent with their pharmacist appears similar pre and post pandemic.