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Mesquita, A.R., Lyra-Júnior, D.P., Brito, G.C., Balisa-Rocha, B.J., Aguiar, P.M. and de Almeida Neto, A.C. (2010) Developing Communication Skills in Pharmacy: A Systematic Review of the Use of Simulated Patient Methods. Patient Education and Counseling, 78, 143-148.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2009.07.012

has been cited by the following article:

• TITLE: Assessment of Counselling for Acute Diarrhoea in North-Eastern German Pharmacies—A Follow-Up Study Using the Simulated Patient Methodology

  AUTHORS: Bernhard Langer, Michael Kieper, Sonja Laube, Juliane Schramm, Sophia Weber, Alexander Werwath

  KEYWORDS: Over-the-Counter Medication, Pharmacies, Acute Diarrhoea, Quality of Advice, Simulated Patient Method

  JOURNAL NAME: Pharmacology & Pharmacy, Vol.9 No.7, July 25, 2018

  ABSTRACT: Aim: As the primary aim of this study, we analysed whether the quality of advice provided by pharmacies in the period between 2014 (baseline study) and 2017 (follow-up study) could actually be increased using a single written performance feedback given to each pharmacy in 2014. The secondary aim of the follow-up examination was to analyse whether the quality of advice differed depending on the professional group providing the advice. Methodology: To ensure the least possible distortion in the comparison between the baseline and the follow-up studies, the study design used for the follow-up examination in 2017 was not changed compared to the baseline examination in 2014. The data for the follow-up examination were therefore collected using the simulated patient method in all 21 pharmacies in a city in the north-east of Germany. Three female and two male test buyers used four different scenarios for self-medication of acute diarrhoea in all of the pharmacies (a total of 84 test purchases). Results: There were significant differences between the overall results from the baseline study (2014) and the follow-up study (2017) (Wilcoxon signed rank test; z = –2.065, p = 0.039, r = 0.225). In the overall average, the pharmacies in 2017 achieved only 2.7 (30%) of 9 possible points whereas in 2014 they achieved 3.3 (37%). The quality of advice between the professional groups did not show any significant differences (Kruskal-Wallis test: χ2(2) = 1.946; p = 0.378, r = 0.027). Conclusions: The quality of advice for acute diarrhoea in adults declined over time. A written performance feedback intended to improve the quality proved ineffective. Interventions with a far greater impact are required to achieve an improvement in the quality of advice provided.