Experiences and Expectations of Ethnic Minorities and Majorities Towards Community Pharmacy Medicines-Related Services in Estonia

Overview

Journal Int J Environ Res Public Health

Publisher MDPI

Specialties Environmental Health
Public Health

Date 2022 Apr 23

PMID 35457620

Authors

Kristiina Sepp

Daisy Volmer

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The unique professional competence of pharmacists can support the safe and effective use of medicines by patients. Additionally, it is important to acknowledge and incorporate the needs of patients with various cultural and social backgrounds. The objective of this study was to assess and compare the experiences and expectations of Russian- and Estonian-speaking pharmacy customers about medicines-related services in Estonian community pharmacies. Cross-sectional study among pharmacy customers was conducted in Estonia 2018−2020. For data analysis, an Independent t-Test was used to compare experiences and expectations of respondents towards medicines-related services. The study involved 552 pharmacy customers: 58.5% (n = 323) Estonians and 41.5% (n = 229) Russians. The majority of the total sample (78.3%) considered the pharmacist competent to help. Medicines-related concerns were more common among Russians (p = 0.037), however, they sought less contact to consult a pharmacist than Estonians (p < 0.001). Furthermore, expectations about different medicines-related services in the future were higher among Estonians than among Russians (p < 0.001). Community pharmacists in Estonia should focus more on person-centered care to better meet the expectations and needs of different ethnic groups about medicines-related services. It is also important to reduce the language barrier and to increase the recognition of cultural traditions by health professionals.

Citing Articles

Health and social care experience and research perception of different ethnic minority populations in the East Midlands, United Kingdom (REPRESENT study).

Ekezie W, Cassambai S, Czyznikowska B, Curtis F, OMahoney L, Willis A Health Expect. 2024; 27(1):e13944.

PMID: 39102736 PMC: 10733974. DOI: 10.1111/hex.13944.

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