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Introduction <p>Health inequalities and medication management challenges are apparent for people with disabilities, including those who are visually impaired (VI). Community pharmacists are well placed to provide advice and support to VI patients. It is imperative for appropriate care that they are adequately prepared to adapt practice for these patients.</p> Aim <p>The study aimed to elucidate current experiences, perceived confidence and priorities of community pharmacists when caring for VI patients. It also aimed to understand current barriers and recommendations for practice adaptations to improve care of this cohort.</p> Method <p>This study utilised an online cross-sectional questionnaire comprising multiple choice, Likert scale and open text questions. This questionnaire was disseminated to registered community pharmacists in Ireland. Responses were coded and analysed quantitatively using descriptive and inferential statistics—whereby <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05 denotes statistical significance. Open-text responses were analysed using conventional content analysis.</p> Results <p>Data were collected from 235 pharmacists (5.4% response rate). Approximately 70% (69.8%, n = 164) had previous experience providing care to VI patients, while over 90% (91.9%, n = 214) believed that VI patients are at increased risk of medication related harm. Pharmacists with over 10&#xa0;years’ experience (75.4% n = 98) were significantly more likely to feel confident caring for VI patients than those less experienced (52.9%, n = 18), <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05. Only 10.3% (n = 24) believed the pharmacy teams they work with were adequately trained to care for VI patients, while 69.0% (n = 162) do not believe they have been provided with sufficient training and guidance on this topic. Most pharmacists would welcome training to identify (90.6%, n = 213) and guide management of VI patients (92.3%, n = 216). Open text responses revealed recommendations of adaptions to care. Respondent recommendations related to pharmacy physical layouts, patient identification, tailored medication dispensing practices, use of technology and improved communication methods.</p> Conclusion <p>This study revealed valuable insights into Irish community pharmacists’ experiences, confidence and recommendations for adapting care for VI patients. Current barriers in addition to confidence and knowledge deficits and a lack of relevant training amongst pharmacists were identified. Further emphasis on this topic in undergraduate pharmacy programmes and continuing professional development training can help community pharmacists provide equitable care to VI patients.</p>

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A cross-sectional evaluation of community pharmacists’ opinions on caring for visually impaired patients: pharmacist experiences, confidence and recommendations for improved care

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月18日

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  • Aoife Goodwin-Boers,
  • Harriet Bennett-Lenane

摘要

Introduction

Health inequalities and medication management challenges are apparent for people with disabilities, including those who are visually impaired (VI). Community pharmacists are well placed to provide advice and support to VI patients. It is imperative for appropriate care that they are adequately prepared to adapt practice for these patients.

Aim

The study aimed to elucidate current experiences, perceived confidence and priorities of community pharmacists when caring for VI patients. It also aimed to understand current barriers and recommendations for practice adaptations to improve care of this cohort.

Method

This study utilised an online cross-sectional questionnaire comprising multiple choice, Likert scale and open text questions. This questionnaire was disseminated to registered community pharmacists in Ireland. Responses were coded and analysed quantitatively using descriptive and inferential statistics—whereby p < 0.05 denotes statistical significance. Open-text responses were analysed using conventional content analysis.

Results

Data were collected from 235 pharmacists (5.4% response rate). Approximately 70% (69.8%, n = 164) had previous experience providing care to VI patients, while over 90% (91.9%, n = 214) believed that VI patients are at increased risk of medication related harm. Pharmacists with over 10 years’ experience (75.4% n = 98) were significantly more likely to feel confident caring for VI patients than those less experienced (52.9%, n = 18), p < 0.05. Only 10.3% (n = 24) believed the pharmacy teams they work with were adequately trained to care for VI patients, while 69.0% (n = 162) do not believe they have been provided with sufficient training and guidance on this topic. Most pharmacists would welcome training to identify (90.6%, n = 213) and guide management of VI patients (92.3%, n = 216). Open text responses revealed recommendations of adaptions to care. Respondent recommendations related to pharmacy physical layouts, patient identification, tailored medication dispensing practices, use of technology and improved communication methods.

Conclusion

This study revealed valuable insights into Irish community pharmacists’ experiences, confidence and recommendations for adapting care for VI patients. Current barriers in addition to confidence and knowledge deficits and a lack of relevant training amongst pharmacists were identified. Further emphasis on this topic in undergraduate pharmacy programmes and continuing professional development training can help community pharmacists provide equitable care to VI patients.