Profile Of Swamedicated Services On Child Fever Cases In Medan City Pharmacy
Profile of Swamedicated Services on Child Fever Cases in Medan City Pharmacy: An Assessment of Self-Medication Services
Introduction
Self-medication or self-treatment is a common practice among the community to overcome complaints or symptoms of disease before seeking assistance from health services or medical personnel. In the context of child fever cases, pharmacies play a crucial role as the first point of contact for the community. However, the quality of self-medication services provided by pharmacy officers in Medan City is a concern. This study aims to assess the level of self-medication services provided by pharmacy officers to patients who have fever in children and to identify any differences in the level of service based on the location of the pharmacy.
Methodology
This study employed the Asmethod method with a patient simulation, following a scenario designed by previous researchers. The study was conducted from October 2017 to January 2018, involving 65 pharmacies spread across 21 districts in Medan City. The sampling technique used was a combination of regional sampling and simple random sampling. The observations of the self-medication service profile provided by pharmacy officers were recorded outside the pharmacy in a checklist sheet.
Results
The results of this study showed that only 10.77% (n = 7) of pharmacists were directly involved in providing self-medication services. The most common question asked by pharmacy officers to patients was "Who is sick?" which accounted for 70.77% (n = 46) of total observations. In addition, 100% (n = 65) of pharmacists provided drug recommendations, with the majority recommending analgesic-antipyretic drugs (90.76%, n = 59) and NSAIDs (9.24%, n = 6). In terms of information about drugs, the most frequently given was related to "drug dosage" (70.77%, n = 46). For non-pharmacological information, only 4.52% (n = 3) provided information about "eating and drinking patterns," and 1.54% (n = 1) related to "lifestyle."
Analysis and Explanation
The results of this study show a worrying picture of the quality of self-medication services in pharmacies in Medan City, especially related to fever in children. As the first health service that is often accessed by the community, pharmacies should be able to provide appropriate and adequate services. The low percentage of pharmacists directly involved in self-medication services (only 10.77%) highlights the need to increase the role of pharmacists in public health management.
One of the key points to note is that although 100% of pharmacists provide drug recommendations, a more holistic approach to patient health is also important. Non-pharmacological information about diet, drinking, and lifestyle is still very minimal, which shows that a more comprehensive approach to children's health needs to be considered.
In addition, this condition requires the need for further training for pharmacy officers in conducting patient assessments and providing appropriate education. The quality of good self-medication services is not only determined by the selection of appropriate drugs, but also by the ability of pharmacists to understand the needs of patients and provide useful and appropriate information.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this study highlights the need for improvement in the quality of self-medication services provided by pharmacy officers in Medan City, especially related to child fever cases. The low percentage of pharmacists directly involved in self-medication services and the lack of non-pharmacological information provided to patients are major concerns. Further training for pharmacy officers and collaboration between pharmacists and other health workers are necessary to increase public understanding of safe and effective treatment.
Recommendations
Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:
- Increase the role of pharmacists in public health management: Pharmacists should be more involved in providing self-medication services and conducting patient assessments.
- Provide further training for pharmacy officers: Pharmacy officers should receive training on conducting patient assessments and providing appropriate education to patients.
- Improve the quality of self-medication services: Pharmacies should provide more comprehensive and holistic services to patients, including non-pharmacological information about diet, drinking, and lifestyle.
- Encourage collaboration between pharmacists and other health workers: Collaboration between pharmacists and other health workers is necessary to increase public understanding of safe and effective treatment.
Future Research Directions
This study highlights the need for further research on the quality of self-medication services provided by pharmacy officers in Medan City. Future research should focus on:
- Evaluating the effectiveness of training programs for pharmacy officers: Research should be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of training programs for pharmacy officers in improving the quality of self-medication services.
- Assessing the impact of collaboration between pharmacists and other health workers: Research should be conducted to assess the impact of collaboration between pharmacists and other health workers on the quality of self-medication services.
- Developing a comprehensive approach to children's health: Research should be conducted to develop a comprehensive approach to children's health that includes non-pharmacological information about diet, drinking, and lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Swamedicated Services on Child Fever Cases in Medan City Pharmacy
Q: What is self-medication, and why is it a concern in child fever cases?
A: Self-medication refers to the practice of treating oneself or a family member for a medical condition without consulting a healthcare professional. In the context of child fever cases, self-medication can be a concern because it may lead to the misuse of medications, incorrect dosages, and delayed or inadequate treatment.
Q: What is the role of pharmacists in providing self-medication services?
A: Pharmacists play a crucial role in providing self-medication services by advising patients on the appropriate use of medications, monitoring their health, and providing education on healthy habits. However, the results of this study show that only 10.77% of pharmacists were directly involved in providing self-medication services.
Q: What are the common questions asked by pharmacy officers to patients with child fever?
A: The most common question asked by pharmacy officers to patients with child fever is "Who is sick?" which accounted for 70.77% of total observations. This suggests that pharmacy officers may not be adequately assessing the patient's condition or providing relevant information.
Q: What types of medications are commonly recommended by pharmacists for child fever?
A: The majority of pharmacists recommended analgesic-antipyretic drugs (90.76%) and NSAIDs (9.24%) for child fever. However, this study highlights the need for a more comprehensive approach to children's health, including non-pharmacological information about diet, drinking, and lifestyle.
Q: What are the limitations of this study?
A: This study has several limitations, including the small sample size and the use of a patient simulation method. Future studies should aim to recruit a larger sample size and use more robust methods to assess the quality of self-medication services.
Q: What are the implications of this study for pharmacy practice and public health?
A: This study highlights the need for improvement in the quality of self-medication services provided by pharmacy officers in Medan City. Pharmacists should be more involved in providing self-medication services and conducting patient assessments. Collaboration between pharmacists and other health workers is also necessary to increase public understanding of safe and effective treatment.
Q: What are the recommendations for future research?
A: Future research should focus on evaluating the effectiveness of training programs for pharmacy officers, assessing the impact of collaboration between pharmacists and other health workers, and developing a comprehensive approach to children's health.
Q: How can the public access safe and effective treatment for child fever?
A: The public can access safe and effective treatment for child fever by consulting a healthcare professional, such as a doctor or a pharmacist, and following their advice. Additionally, parents and caregivers can take steps to prevent child fever by ensuring their child receives regular vaccinations, practicing good hygiene, and providing a healthy diet.
Q: What are the next steps for improving the quality of self-medication services in Medan City?
A: The next steps for improving the quality of self-medication services in Medan City include providing further training for pharmacy officers, encouraging collaboration between pharmacists and other health workers, and developing a comprehensive approach to children's health.