IJPP 2003, 11: 153-160
© 2003 Int J Pharm Pract
Received August 16, 2002
Accepted May 13, 2003
DOI 10.1211/0022357021945
ISSN 0961-7671


Department of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Finland

Heli Kansanaho, assistant in social pharmacy

Kirsi Pietilä, acting professor in social pharmacy

TIPPA Project and Department of Social Pharmacy, University of Kuopio, Finland

Marja Airaksinen, project manager

Correspondence: Heli Kansanaho, Department of Pharmacy, PO Box 56 (Viikinkaari 5 E), 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
E-mail: heli.kansanaho@helsinki.fi

Acknowledgments: We would like to thank the Finnish Pharmaceutical Learning Centre, Sinikka Kesseli-Pulkkinen and Inka Puumalainen for organising the continuing education course, and the participants of the CE course for their enthusiastic co-operation. This study was supported by the Finnish Cultural Foundation, Elli Turunen Fund, and the Finnish Pharmaceutical Association.

Original Papers

Can a long-term continuing education course in patient counselling promote a change in the practice of Finnish community pharmacists?

Heli Kansanaho, Kirsi Pietilä and Marja Airaksinen

Abstract
Objective To assess community pharmacists’ perceptions of the impact of a long-term continuing education (CE) course on their patient counselling skills.

Methods Three focus groups were conducted with the course participants (n=17) during the last module of the CE course. Data were analysed using computer software for qualitative analysis.

Key findings The focus groups revealed eight preliminary categories that were further categorised into four themes related to the learning process in patient counselling skills. The first theme related to achieving the learning objectives. The second related to personal development, understanding principles of two-way communication, and problems in their implementation in practice. The third theme related to actions taken by the participants in their work place, and the fourth involved the potential conflict between the new skills gained and the traditional communication culture in the participant’s pharmacy.

Conclusion The CE course provided the community pharmacists with new skills and knowledge in patient counselling and collective in-house training. The findings show that the greatest challenge is to change the communication culture of the pharmacy. To achieve this, it may be necessary for more than one pharmacist from the same pharmacy to participate in the training process at the same time.