A State-Level Needs Analysis of Community Pharmacy Point-of-Care Testing

ABSTRACT Background Uptake of point-of-care testing (POCT) within community pharmacies at state and national levels is largely unknown despite endorsement and advocacy efforts of pharmacy organizations, recent legislative advances, and numerous models for successful POCT implementation within individual pharmacy sites. Objectives The study aimed to describe the current landscape of POCT in Wisconsin community pharmacies, and identify opportunities for advancement of testing and key factors influencing the realization of these opportunities. Methods A survey was administered over the telephone to pharmacy managers of community pharmacies in Wisconsin. Sites were randomly selected from pre-defined geographical regions to mirror pharmacy distribution across Wisconsin. Survey items evaluated provision of POCT, future direction of POCT, barriers and motivators to offering POCT, and pharmacy demographics. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used to analyze data. Results Pharmacy managers from 147 of the 938 registered community pharmacies (15.7%) participated in the survey. Only 17.1% of pharmacies were offering POCT, however, 48.3% of managers reported the pharmacy would likely implement or expand POCT within the next five years. The most commonly reported barrier to initiating or expanding POCT were limitations on pharmacist availability to oversee testing and workflow restrictions. Continuing to advance the pharmacy profession was a top reason for offering or expanding testing services. Conclusion The current study found few pharmacies offer POCT in Wisconsin, but there is motivation for expansion in coming years. This needs analysis offers a blueprint for researchers, educators and clinicians to shape POCT efforts by examining the landscape of pharmacy-based testing in their own states and communities.