Community pharmacists’ perception and role in early diagnosis and health promotion of celiac disease

Abstract

The study aims to measure pharmacists’ knowledge and perception of celiac disease. A Google form was used to collect data randomly from 283 pharmacists. The effects of each of the following hypotheses towards early diagnosis of celiac disease and patient compliance were studied: pharmacist’s experience in community pharmacies (H1), pharmacist’s knowledge (H2), pharmacist’s participation in continuing learning programmes (H3), and pharmacist’s attitude and practice (H4). A robust relationship between the variables was confirmed and was expressed by the moderate mean effect of H1, H2, H3, and H4 (2.3332, 2.3386, 2.1731, and 2.5717, respectively, and the correlation coefficient [r] of 0.797). Findings suggest that H1 is moderately correlated with H2 and H3 but weakly correlated with H4 (0.568 and 0.518, 0.183, respectively). Around a third of the participants (33.9%) admit their lack of knowledge regarding the symptoms. A third of the participants would refer the patients with recurrent symptoms to the physician. Three-quarters of the participants (78.4%) have not attended any educational programme, but they show a high desire (84.1%) to participate in such events either in person (50.2%) or through distance learning applications (36.4%). Pharmacists have crucial roles in early diagnosis, monitoring patient compliance, and providing counselling regarding celiac disease. Updating their knowledge should contribute to improving the overall health status of the patients and cutting off the expenses for the health sector.