Development of a tool to support person-centred medicine-focused consultations with stroke survivors

Objective: To develop a tool to support medicine-focused person-centred consultations between community pharmacists and stroke survivors.

Method: Semi-structured interviews with 15 stroke survivors and 16 community pharmacists were conducted. Thematic analysis of the data was performed and emerging themes examined to determine their relevance to the principles of delivering person-centred care. Findings were used to generate a framework from which a consultation tool was created. Face validity and the feasibility of using the tool in practice were explored with participating pharmacists.

Results: Three major themes were identified; personal, process and environmental factors. A tool, in two parts, was developed, A ‘Getting to know me’ form which would help the pharmacist to appreciate the individual needs of the stroke survivor and a consultation guide to facilitate the consultation process. Pharmacists considered that both were useful and would support a person-centred medicine-focussed consultation.

Conclusion: A consultation tool, reflecting the needs of stroke survivors, has been developed and is feasible for use within community pharmacy practice.

Practice implications: Pharmacists must recognise the individual needs of stroke survivors to ensure that they provide consultations which are truly person-centred. The tool developed could support medicine-related consultations with patients with other long term conditions.