Journal article
Breastfeeding guidance in community pharmacies: The results of a mystery shopper study
Nutrition & dietetics, Vol.70(2), pp.153-157
2013
Abstract
Aim: To assess the nature and quality of breastfeeding-related guidance provided by community-based pharmacy staff. Methods: A covert observational 'mystery shopper' study of 66 randomly selected community pharmacies was employed to assess actual breastfeeding guidance practices among pharmacy staff. A female mystery shopper used a scripted scenario designed to explore guidance practices relevant to breastfeeding promotion. Pharmacy staff: mystery shopper interactions were documented immediately following the exchange by the mystery shopper and a second shadow observer. These records were qualitatively analysed against a predetermined good practice framework of guidance expected for this scenario. Results: Of 66 pharmacies visited, the mystery shopper consulted with 18 pharmacists and 48 pharmacy assistants. Pharmacies visited included an equal mix of chain and independent pharmacies. The mean length of each mystery shopper to pharmacy staff interaction was 2.3 minutes (range of 0.5-10 minutes). In only 9 of 66 interactions was printed educational or product information provided to complement verbal advice. Most of this material (6/9) related to infant formula product information. Analysis of the content of guidance provided indicates limited advice being given regarding breastfeeding perseverance when confronted with breastfeeding difficulties (4/66), with most interactions involving direct advice regarding brands of infant formula to use. Conclusions: The quality of guidance provided by pharmacy staff in the context of breastfeeding promotion suggests a need for multistrategy intervention in the pharmacy setting and identifies a potential opportunity for collaborative interventions between nutrition, nursing and pharmacy practitioners to enhance infant-feeding guidance.
Details
- Title
- Breastfeeding guidance in community pharmacies: The results of a mystery shopper study
- Authors
- Judith Maher (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringRoger Hughes (Author) - Bond University
- Publication details
- Nutrition & dietetics, Vol.70(2), pp.153-157
- Publisher
- Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia
- Date published
- 2013
- DOI
- 10.1111/j.1747-0080.2012.01641.x
- ISSN
- 1446-6368
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health - Nutrition & Dietetics; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; Centre for Bioinnovation; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99449072902621
- Output Type
- Journal article
Metrics
7 File views/ downloads
782 Record Views
InCites Highlights
These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Nutrition & Dietetics
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: InCites