Evaluation of a prompt card for community pharmacists performing consultations with patients on anticoagulation – lessons learned

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate a prompt card (i.e., a post-card sized tool that lists counselling prompt information) with 5 key elements and 3 open key questions to ask patients in community pharmacies. METHODS: Community pharmacists practicing in England and accredited to perform consultations used the prompt card during a formal consultation with emphasis on patients receiving oral anticoagulation. Main outcome measure was the number of performed consultations with pharmacists’ thoughts and feedbacks in writing. RESULTS: During 8 weeks, 19 pharmacists (mean age: 36.6 (SD=9) years; 7 women; accredited an average of 12.9 (SD=9.8) years) performed 1,034 consultations and used the prompt card 104 times during anticoagulation consultations. Overall the prompt card was judged practical and relevant by the 16 pharmacists who used it (100%), especially because it outlines what a good consultation should comprise. The key elements offered a logical framework to guide the overall approach when undertaking a consultation. The two questions, “Why do you want to use this medicine?” and “Why would you not want to use this medicine?” generated negative responses from the patient and pharmacists, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our prompt card with key questions summarizing all the points that should be addressed in a consultation supported effective communication during patient-pharmacist interaction. Two questions need rephrasing and a further question is needed to determine how patients are using their medicines.