2016 Volume 35 Issue 1 Pages 10-22
A questionnaire-based survey was administered to determine how community pharmacists recognize the necessity for and frequency of touching their patients during care giving. The questionnaire was sent to 400 community pharmacies that practiced home care, and 147 valid responses were analyzed. The survey suggested that acts recognized by pharmacists to require touching were measuring vital signs and helping patients take oral medications. It was thought that pharmacists needed to help patients in taking oral medications and also needed to determine issues related to oral intake. The survey also indicated that the frequencies of measuring vital signs and applying plasters to patients were high. Measuring vital signs was considered routine work, and applying plasters to patients was considered occasional work. Many respondents stated the need for practical study sessions on measuring vital signs. The frequency of measuring vital signs has increased because pharmacists have increasingly recognized this need. Additionally, females tended to touch their patients more frequently than males. However, there was no relationship between the frequency of examining bedsores and applying ointments on them and gender because it was thought that knowledge and experience were more important. The recognition of necessity for touching their patients was high but the frequency was comparatively low, and there was a discrepancy between the recognition of necessity and frequency. It was suggested that practical study sessions on when patients should be touched should be a high priority.
