Study protocol: Evaluation of the Allergic Rhinitis Clinical Management
Pathway (AR-CMaP) in Australian community pharmacies
Abstract
Allergic Rhinitis (AR) is a high burden chronic respiratory disease(1-4)
affecting 19% of Australians; 29% in the Australian Capital
Territory(ACT), Australia. Up to 70% of people with AR self-select
their medication in Australian pharmacies; with only 15% selecting
optimal medication(6). The Allergic Rhinitis Clinical Management
Pathway(AR-CMaP) was developed as an evidence-based AR management guide
to support pharmacists to optimise AR management in the pharmacy. This
paper describes the method used to investigate the implementation of
AR-CMaP by evaluating the impact of AR-CMaP on AR medication management
and pharmacists’ practice and identifying the challenges associated with
implementing AR-CMaP. This study took a mixed methods approach. The
AR-CMaP was implemented and evaluated in a cohort of pharmacies in the
ACT. Prior to the implementation of AR-CMaP, baseline data were
collected in the pharmacy; pharmacists completed a needs assessment and
a researcher administered questionnaires to people who purchased an
AR-related product. The completed needs assessments individualised the
AR-CMaP training and support tools provided to each participating
pharmacy. Following pharmacists training, the AR-CMaP was implemented,
pharmacists completed a second needs assessment and the questionnaire to
people with AR were re-administered. Pharmacists were interviewed after
all data collection was completed. There is an urgent need to evaluate
the AR management services in community pharmacies. This study is the
first to implement and evaluate an evidence-based clinical pathway in
the pharmacy setting, in real life. Important insights into the
practical aspects of AR management and clinical frameworks in the
community pharmacy will be identified.