| Abstract [eng] |
Master thesis of Irena Viktorija Slaveckytė, scientific supervisor doc. dr. J. Grincevičius. Vilnius University, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Pharmacy and Pharmacology center, Vilnius 2023. Title of the thesis: Evaluation of the Pharmaceutical Care Services’ Needs and Perspectives for Diabetes Patients in Lithuanian Community Pharmacies Aim of the study: to analyze and evaluate the needs and perspectives of providing pharmaceutical care services to people with diabetes in Lithuanian pharmacies Tasks of research: 1. To determine the need for pharmaceutical care services for people with diabetes in Lithuanian pharmacies 2. To evaluate the perspectives of pharmaceutical care services for people with diabetes in Lithuanian pharmacies 3. To evaluate the possibilities of the theoretical model of providing pharmaceutical care services for people with diabetes in Lithuanian pharmacies to be adapted for practical use. Methods: Scientific publications, legal acts of the Republic of Lithuania related to the topic of the master‘s thesis were examined and described. Theoretical model of providing pharmaceutical care (PC) services for people with diabetes mellitus (DM) was created prior to interviews with experts. The qualitative research method has been used in the study. Content analysis method used for data analysis. Study participants: V. Augustinienė, president of the Lithuanian Diabetes Association, E. Baradinskienė, chairwoman of the Children's and Youth Diabetes Club "Diabitė", V. Vegienė, chairwoman of the Pasvalys district diabetes society "Sveikata" and B. Jančaitienė, chairperson of the Šakiai district diabetes club "Linelis". Results: The study revealed the attitude of the subjects towards the PC service for DM patients in Lithuania. Experts shared their thoughts about organizations representing DM patients, DM patients themselves, the problems they encounter, the pharmacist's role in DM management, the need for the PC service, perspectives, provided recommendations for the initial model of the PC service for DM patients. The respondents' thoughts helped reveal the demand situation among patients, the measures that can help improve the PC service model and how to better adapt it to the current situation in Lithuania. Conclusions: 1. In conclusion, it can be said that there is a need for PC services for DM patients in Lithuanian pharmacies. It is likely that this need will continue to exist in the future due to the increasing number of people with DM, and the desire of patients to receive a high-quality consultation of a specialist engaged in wellness activities. Newly DM patients, elderly DM patients, parents of children and adolescents with type I diabetes, type II diabetes patients, prediabetics and pregnant women with gestational diabetes could use PC services provided by a pharmacist. All of these groups could benefit from personalized PC services provided by a pharmacist who can help integrate both the theoretical and practical aspects of DM management. 2. The study revealed that PC services for DM patients are promising. According to experts, existing patients face problems that directly affect the success of treatment: insufficient time and not enough information are received from health care professionals, so the prescribed treatment is not effective because of lack of knowledge and understanding, patients do not adhere to it. Therefore, it can be said that the involvement of a pharmacist in helping DM patients would only have a positive effect and additional benefits, as it would provide more clarity to patients. 3. Based on the results, it can be said that the developed model of PC service for DM patients can be used in Lithuania, since the latest recommendations of organizations, experts were taken into account when creating it. In order to adapt the model, the description of the PC service of inhaled medications, which has been in use in Lithuania for several years now, was used too. |
