Structural Analysis of Users' Needs from a Community Pharmacy Related to Home Care in a Suburban Area

Objectives: To clarify the needs of home care service users needs from a community pharmacy and the functions related to home care in a suburban area. Methods: A questionnaire on pharmacy services and functions was submitted to 472 home care service users in a suburban area. Gender, age, family status, presence of carers, health condition, home care services being used, prescription and pharmacy utilization status, presence of family pharmacy, and recognition of the need for drug management guidance by home visiting pharmacists were surveyed as well as the users' needs from a community pharmacy and its functions. Using these results, principal component analysis was performed. Results: It was found that the users had a great need for the following services and functions: adequate medication instruction, listening attentively to users, and a good attitude from pharmacists and clerks. Meanwhile, the users' need for home care related services was relatively low, i. e. counseling about home care and welfare services, provision of a home visiting service, and provision of home care supplies. Also, principal component analysis indicated that users' needs consisted of five components, viz, medical services, material supply, convenience, readiness of service provision, and consideration of privacy. Regarding home care related services, counseling about home care and welfare services was related to the medical services; provision of home care supplies was related to the material supply; provision of a home visiting service was related to convenience. Conclusions: It was shown that users did not clearly recognize a service need for home care services as a new function of community pharmacies. Rather, users recognized the need for home care services connected to these already provided by community pharmacies. Therefore, information provision and education are necessary so that users can clearly understand the details and merits of the home care services which community pharmacies provide.