TY - JOUR
T1 - Exploring public perception and utilization of medication home delivery services in the United Arab Emirates
T2 - a cross-sectional study
AU - Jirjees, Feras
AU - Othman, Amna M.
AU - Odeh, Mohanad
AU - AlObaidi, Hala
AU - Kharaba, Zelal
AU - Adhari, Hawraa
AU - Elshenawy, Menna
AU - Almaazmi, Fatima
AU - Bashi, Yahya H.Dallal
AU - Aldeyab, Mamoon A.
AU - Al-Azayzih, Ahmad
AU - Farha, Rana Abu
AU - Eissa, Nermin
AU - Alzoubi, Karem H.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2024.
PY - 2024/12/1
Y1 - 2024/12/1
N2 - INTRODUCTION: The Medication Home Delivery (MHD) service from community pharmacies involves the safe and efficient delivery of pharmaceuticals (prescription and non-prescription medications), and health products directly to the patient's/consumer's home. There are several issues encountered by the users of the MHD service that have an impact on their satisfaction with the service. The study aimed to assess the public's perceptions of the MHD service in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), their willingness to utilize it, and the practical use of the service.METHOD: A cross-sectional exploratory study was conducted in the UAE using a validated online survey. The inclusion criteria were adults residing in the UAE. Statistical analysis was performed to identify the association between the variables, the service use, and the level of service efficiency.RESULTS: A total of 556 participants filled out the survey, with 69.4% of them using the service. The majority of participants were females (75.9%) and aged less than 40 years old (71.6%). Three variables showed a statistically significant association with the use of the MHD service (P < 0.05): the participant's educational level, their medical/health background, and the frequency of visits to community pharmacies. The most common issues raised were receiving the wrong order, delay in delivery, and paying delivery fees. Most participants agreed that the MHD service reduces the risk of exposure during pandemics, serves the elderly, serves disabled people, makes it more comfortable for parents with children at home, and reduces overcrowding in health facilities, as well as the MHD service making pharmacy services more efficient.CONCLUSION: The study indicated positive perceptions among the public in the UAE towards the MHD service. However, there was a concern that this service may diminish the communication between pharmacists and patients, which potentially minimizes the amount of information received by patients regarding their treatments.
AB - INTRODUCTION: The Medication Home Delivery (MHD) service from community pharmacies involves the safe and efficient delivery of pharmaceuticals (prescription and non-prescription medications), and health products directly to the patient's/consumer's home. There are several issues encountered by the users of the MHD service that have an impact on their satisfaction with the service. The study aimed to assess the public's perceptions of the MHD service in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), their willingness to utilize it, and the practical use of the service.METHOD: A cross-sectional exploratory study was conducted in the UAE using a validated online survey. The inclusion criteria were adults residing in the UAE. Statistical analysis was performed to identify the association between the variables, the service use, and the level of service efficiency.RESULTS: A total of 556 participants filled out the survey, with 69.4% of them using the service. The majority of participants were females (75.9%) and aged less than 40 years old (71.6%). Three variables showed a statistically significant association with the use of the MHD service (P < 0.05): the participant's educational level, their medical/health background, and the frequency of visits to community pharmacies. The most common issues raised were receiving the wrong order, delay in delivery, and paying delivery fees. Most participants agreed that the MHD service reduces the risk of exposure during pandemics, serves the elderly, serves disabled people, makes it more comfortable for parents with children at home, and reduces overcrowding in health facilities, as well as the MHD service making pharmacy services more efficient.CONCLUSION: The study indicated positive perceptions among the public in the UAE towards the MHD service. However, there was a concern that this service may diminish the communication between pharmacists and patients, which potentially minimizes the amount of information received by patients regarding their treatments.
KW - Community pharmacy
KW - Medication home delivery
KW - Mobile Application
KW - People perceptions
KW - Pharmacist
KW - United Arab Emirates
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85208493305&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1186/s12913-024-11770-x
DO - 10.1186/s12913-024-11770-x
M3 - Article
C2 - 39491002
AN - SCOPUS:85208493305
VL - 24
JO - BMC Health Services Research
JF - BMC Health Services Research
SN - 1472-6963
IS - 1
M1 - 1340
ER -
