Family and domestic violence: The role of community pharmacies and pharmacists in recognising, responding and referring

Background

Despite the potentially significant role pharmacists can play in the context of family and domestic violence (FDV) prevention and early intervention, there is currently no pharmacy discipline-specific FDV training to meet the needs of pharmacists. There is also limited information regarding the awareness, competence and confidence of pharmacists in speaking with, supporting and offering referral pathways for people experiencing domestic abuse and violence. This research will help facilitate FDV assistance to local communities through efforts in raising health professionals’ awareness, to improve future pharmacists’ learning and to enable contributions towards opportunistic interventions to prevent and enable early FDV support within the community pharmacy sector.

Aim

To conduct a needs analysis utilising focus groups; develop and pilot an online training program customised for community pharmacists, interns and pharmacy students in Western Australia; and undertake evaluation of the feasibility, acceptability and impact of the program on learners’ awareness, competence and confidence in recognising, responding and referring those in need.

Methods

A qualitative descriptive methodology using the COREQ checklist to conduct semi-structured focus groups pre-pilot; focus group composition will be heterogenous consisting of consumers, industry stakeholders, advocates and pharmacists, and participants purposefully sampled for maximum diversity and variation. Pilot development will be evidence-based and follow a flipped classroom pedagogy; pre-learning will take place prior to attending an interactive online workshop with practical use case scenarios to consolidate knowledge and enable soft skills development and knowledge application. Pilot evaluation will utilise a two-pronged approach consisting of a pre- and post-intervention evaluation of pharmacists’ knowledge, awareness, competence, confidence, skills and attitudes.

Significance

Research has shown that during COVID-19 the rate and severity of FDV has increased. Access to support is critical. This research will help to provide FDV assistance to local communities, including those who are vulnerable and in regional/remote communities, through efforts in raising health professionals’ awareness regarding their role in recognising, responding and referring women and their children experiencing, or who are at risk of experiencing, violence in the local community that they serve. Using the framework developed for this workforce, subsequent tailoring of the program will be possible to meet other health professionals’ training and service requirements.

Funding Body

COVID-19 Family and Domestic Violence Grant from the Government of Western Australia, Department of Communities

Funding Budget

$247,825

Project start date

November 2021

Expected completion date

September 2022