A quasi-experimental evaluation of dried blood spot testing through community pharmacies in the Tayside region of Scotland

Andrew Radley (Lead / Corresponding author), Karen Melville, Jan Tait, Brian Stephens, Josie M. M. Evans, John F. Dillon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Citations (Scopus)
259 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Objective: Comparison of uptake of dried blood spot testing (DBST) for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection between community pharmacies and established services.

Design: Quantitative evaluation of a service development with qualitative process evaluation undertaken in parallel.

Setting: Six pharmacies from 36 community pharmacies within Dundee City, a large urban settlement with high levels of socioeconomic deprivation.

Participants: Patients in receipt of opioid substitution therapy (OST) not tested for HCV within 12 months. The 6 pharmacies provided OST for approximately 363 patients from a cohort of 1385 patients within Dundee City.

Intervention: Provision of DBST by pharmacists.

Main outcome measure: Receipt of DBST between January and December 2014.

Results: 43 of 143 service users with no record of testing from the 6 community pharmacies accepted DBST. Of 561 from the remaining 1022 service users with no record of testing, 75 were tested for HCV (30% vs 13%). The OR for increased uptake of testing within the 6 pharmacies was 2.25 (95% CI 1.48 to 3.41, Z statistic=3.81, p=<0.0001) compared with other services. The DBST taken by the pharmacies provided 12 patients with a reactive test. The process evaluation identified key themes important to staff and recipients of the service. A logic model was constructed.

Limitations: Non-experimental service evaluation performed in community pharmacies records service activity in one location across a single time period.

Interpretation: Some evidence that DBST from community pharmacies may be feasible. Service users received the service positively. Staff reported that DBST was straightforward and achievable.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)221-228
Number of pages8
JournalFrontline Gastroenterology
Volume8
Issue number3
Early online date6 Jan 2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2017

Keywords

  • Antiviral Therapy
  • Hepatitis C
  • Primary Care

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Gastroenterology
  • Hepatology

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