Abstract
Objective: Pharmacists have important roles in pharmaceutical care practices. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the potential benefits of the presence of a pharmacist in PHCs (Primary Health Care) in addition to other health care specialists in Ankara Kecioren Karargahtepe PHC and Ankara Ayas PHC.
Material and Method: This study is a quasi-experimental type of study which includes a pre-test and a post-test. Pre-test was given to patients by two pharmacists, which was followed by a basic education on hypertension and its treatment. A post-test was done three months after the pre-test in order to assess the efficiency of the education.
Result and Discussion: In total, 103 patients (70.9% female; mean age: 62.84 ± 10.44 years) were analysed before and after receiving counselling from two pharmacists. The results of pre- and post-tests were analyzed by Wilcoxon t-test using SPSS 23.0. As a result of the statistical analysis, the education provided by the pharmacists enhanced the mean patient scores significantly (T0 (pre-test) = 6 (5-7), T1 (post-test) = 8 (6-9); P ˂ 0.05). This study revealed the active role and the requirement of the presence of a pharmacist in addition to other health care providers in PHCs.