Study Title
Nutrition Education and Community Pharmacy: A First Exploration of Current Attitudes and Practices in Northern Ireland.
Principal Investigator
Pauline L. Douglas, Helen McCarthy, Lynn E. McCotter, Siobhan Gallen, Stephen McClean, Alison M. Gallagher, Sumantra Ray.
Affiliation
Ulster University, NNEdPro Global Centre for Nutrition and Health, Victoria University, School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University.
Start Date
November 2018.
End Date
February 2019.
Study Objective
To explore the current attitudes and practices of community pharmacists in Northern Ireland towards nutrition education, and to develop and evaluate a nutrition education intervention for pre-registration pharmacists.
Short Abstract
This mixed-methods study aimed to assess the attitudes and practices of Northern Ireland pharmacists regarding diet-related health promotion and disease prevention. The majority of pharmacists recognized the importance of nutrition but lacked confidence in offering dietary advice, particularly for conditions like diabetes. A pilot nutrition education program for pre-registration pharmacists demonstrated improvements in knowledge, attitudes, and practices, though retention of knowledge declined slightly after three months.
Study Design
The study was conducted in two phases:
- Phase 1: Cross-sectional survey of community pharmacists using an online questionnaire.
- Phase 2: A pilot nutrition education intervention for pre-registration pharmacists, evaluated through pre- and post-intervention assessments.
Population
Community pharmacists in Northern Ireland and pre-registration pharmacists.
Sample Size
306 pharmacists surveyed (160 included in the analysis), and 10 pre-registration pharmacists participated in the pilot intervention.
Inclusion Criteria
Registered community pharmacists practicing in Northern Ireland for the survey, and pre-registration pharmacists for the pilot intervention.
Exclusion Criteria
Pharmacists not practicing in a community setting or incomplete survey responses.
Intervention/Exposure
A two-day nutrition education program for pre-registration pharmacists, covering topics such as public health nutrition, disease-specific nutrition, and drug-nutrient interactions.
Outcome Measures
- Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) scores related to nutrition.
- Confidence in providing dietary advice.
- Long-term retention of knowledge after the intervention.
Funding Source
Not externally funded.
Collaborating Institutions
Ulster University, NNEdPro Global Centre for Nutrition and Health.
Ethics Approval
Approved by the Ulster University School of Biomedical Sciences Ethics Filter Committee (FCBMS-13-087).
Publication Status
Published in Pharmacy, March 2019.
Keywords
Nutrition education, community pharmacy, health promotion, disease prevention, pre-registration pharmacists.
Data Collection Methods
Online questionnaire for Phase 1 and pre/post-assessment surveys for Phase 2.
Primary Data Availability
Data available upon request.
Contact Information
Pauline L. Douglas,