Background: Community pharmacies in many countries around the world provide healthcare services for patients. Pharmacists trained as medication experts provide a wide range of patient care services related to medication therapy, patient education, disease prevention, and health promotion. Professional training, expertise, and skills qualify pharmacists to engage in health screenings. These screening programs performed by community pharmacists can help to identify risk factors, facilitate early detection of common diseases, and assist physicians with making effective diagnoses. Objectives: In this study, we created and tested a novel model to provide professional monitoring and counseling on blood pressure by community pharmacists. The aims of the study were to identify the prevalence of elevated blood pressure among patients visiting a community pharmacy and describe the demographic characteristics of patients with hypertension (sex, age, education, body weight, and hypertension risk factors). Methods: The research project was conducted in an accredited community pharmacy in Poznan, Poland, from January to April 2019. A total of 118 anonymous patients (30.5% men and 69.5% women) participated in this study. To qualify for this study, participants had to be older than 18 years of age and have no previous diagnosis of hypertension or other cardiovascular disease. Results: Based on the blood pressure screenings, 61.9% of patients were qualified for the standard consultation (SC: normal blood pressure), 21.2% for the intensive consultation (IC: normal blood pressure and hypertension risk factor), 16.9% patients with elevated blood pressure for the high-risk consultation (HRC: referred to a physician), and 3.4% received a diagnosis of hypertension. We qualified 35.6% with a high-pressure value (greater than 140/90 mmHg). Conclusions: The novel model for blood pressure control screening and counseling implemented in a generally accessible community pharmacy may help with early detection of hypertension problems, lead to initiation of effective patient counseling by a community pharmacist, and result in early referral of the patient to a physician.

The pharmacists in a community pharmacies have already provided, or will provide in the near future advanced pharmaceutical care services. This requires modifying the approach to teaching pharmacy students as well as adapting the curriculum to the changing professional realities. It has been proven that in the field of medical and related sciences, learners-centered active teaching methods allow to achieve learning outcomes effectively, especially in the field of practical skills. As the pharmaceutical services are only being introduced in many European countries, the question arises as to what active learning methods to use to prepare pharmacy graduates for this. Thus the review of worldwide literature occurred to be helpful in identifying what active learning methods are being used specifically in teaching aspects of pharmaceutical care. Three electronic databases: Pubmed, Scopus and Web of Science were searched using the keywords "active learning" and "pharmaceutical care". On the basis of the publications included in the review, 7 methods were distinguished. Case-study, role play and simulation exercises turned out to be the most popular. It was also possible to make preliminary conclusions on how to properly match the method to the learning outcomes. Moreover, a weak point of many studies was the lack of structured methods of assessing the skills acquired by the students. In conclusion, the curriculum renewal in pharmacy is necessary and requires taking many aspects into account, from the types of tasks assigned to pharmacists, through the selection of appropriate teaching methods, to the verification of assessment methods.

Background: Following the example of other countries, it is very important to educate patients on the correct use of inhalers by properly trained healthcare professionals, including pharmacists. Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the quality and comprehensiveness of professional advice given by pharmacists on the use of inhalers, which was determined by the pharmacists’ level of training. Methods: The study was conducted from June 2019 to March 2020. 150 pharmacists from Poznan and Warsaw (Poland) were involved. Before the study began, the professional education of 240 pharmacists was conducted in Warsaw to implement standard operating procedures. The study used the model of a mystery shopper. Results: The conversation with a trained pharmacist lasted on average 5.5 min, with an untrained one—3.0 min (p < 0.0001). Placebo inhalers were used more often by trained pharmacists during patients’ education (p < 0.0001). Moreover, 10.3% of untrained pharmacists did not provide any education. Additionally, untrained employees’ quality of advice was assessed on an average of 3.5 points, while trained ones—7.6 points (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: This study has shown that there is a need for professional training among pharmacists in Poland, which translates into better patient education in the field of inhalation techniques.

The study aimed to get to know patients’ opinions on implementing pharmaceutical care for diabetic patients in a community pharmacy to prevent and effectively and holistically approach the treatment of people with diabetes. It was based on an authorial survey form and conducted from August to October 2021 in a community pharmacy in Poznan, Poland. A total of 131 pharmacy patients over 18 years were included in the study. Results showed that the vast majority of patients confirmed their interest in pharmaceutical care in diabetes conducted by pharmacists. Moreover, 79.4% of respondents would like to benefit from medicines use review, while 87.0% confirmed an interest in the ‘New Drug’ service, with diabetic patients being particularly interested in this (p = 0.2447). Most respondents were also interested in education on how to use a glucose meter, administer insulin and use a lancing device. In addition, the study showed patients’ insufficient knowledge about risk factors and prevention of diabetes with the need for patient education. As the source of funding, 91.7% of diabetic patients indicated the National Health Fund. Given that such a service has not been implemented in Poland yet, this study may support established teams at the Supreme Pharmaceutical Chamber or the Ministry of Health in introducing such new services.