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Posted Tue, 23 Mar 2010 13:51:38
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From: Claire Anderson [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: 23 March 2010 13:37
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: PhD Studentship at University of Nottingham

 

 

PhD Studentship Opportunity for a Research Study on Sexual Health Promotion in Community Pharmacy Consultations

 

Background

 

Choosing health through pharmacy1 stated that there was evidence that community pharmacy could provide sexual health services and indicated that the government would like pharmacy to do more. The strategy called for the provision of a range of sexual health services through pharmacy, including emergency hormonal contraception and Chlamydia screening. 

 

Community pharmacy may offer advantages over many other primary health care services in that pharmacies are situated in most urban and rural communities and are often the only health related services to be located in deprived areas2. Furthermore, pharmacies offer convenience and anonymity, through a 'no appointment necessary' system and have longer opening hours than many other health service providers. Community pharmacies have successfully developed sexual health services particularly around the sale and supply of emergency hormonal contraception offering high quality care which is accepted by client groups and other health professionals.3 However, a Lancet editorial4 published following the announcement of the Pharmacy pilot, questioned whether pharmacists would be able to explain the testing process, provide follow up services and safe sex advice.

 

Given the increasing importance of pharmacy interventions in helping to meet National Sexual Health Strategy targets, there is very little evidence on the nature of pharmacist/consumer consultations in the context of health seeking around sexually transmitted infections, HIV or emergency hormonal contraception. Each consultation is a potential opportunity for individual health promotion and could be used as another arena for implementation of 2007 NICE guidelines on brief interventions to reduce sexual risk behaviour and unwanted pregnancy. The extent to which these opportunities are currently being used however is unknown. 

 

References 

1. Choosing Health through Pharmacy.  Crown Copyright 2005. 

2. Jesson J, Bissell P. Public health and pharmacy: a critical review Critical Public Health, June 2006; 16: 159-169.

3. Anderson C, Blenkinsopp A (2006) Community pharmacy supply of emergency hormonal contraception: a structured literature review of international evidence. Hum Repr 2006; 21:  272-78.

4. Editorial. Chlamydia-a testing issue lancet 2005; 365:630.

 

Study Aim 

 

This study seeks to examine the nature and content of sexual health related communication within community pharmacy practice and to explore factors that influence communication around sexual health promotion. 

 

Proposed Methods

 

The research will be a mixed methods study involving a national survey of pharmacists' practices, views and experiences in this area. The survey will be complemented by qualitative research, specifically observations/recording of consultations in select pharmacies and interviews/focus group discussions with pharmacists and consumers. 

 

Details of the Studentship

 

The studentship is for September 2010 entry. It covers full PhD tuition fees over 3 years plus a yearly tax free stipend of £13,290/year. To be eligible, you will need to be a UK or EU citizen and have at least a 2.1 class degree. A Masters degree, previous research or relevant professional experience will be advantageous. The application deadline is June 18th 2010. Interviews will be held on July 5th and a decision will be communicated by July 9th.

 

The project will be supervised by Professor Claire Anderson ([log in to unmask] School of Pharmacy, Tel. 0115 951 389) and Catrin Evans ([log in to unmask]), School of Nursing, Midwifery and Physiotherapy, Tel. 0115 823 0894). 

 

 

==========================================

 

Claire Anderson BPharm, PhD, MCPP,  FRPharmS

Professor of Social Pharmacy

Division of Social Research in Medicines and Health

School of Pharmacy 

University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD

Tel 0115 951 5389 

 

 

 

This message has been checked for viruses but the contents of an attachment may still contain software viruses which could damage your computer system: you are advised to perform your own checks. Email communications with the University of Nottingham may be monitored as permitted by UK legislation. 


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