Minor ailments ( Gen. definitions) Flashcards
1
Q
what are minor ailments?
A
They are:
- Self limiting conditons.
- Symptoms can be treated or reduced by OTC medicines or advice empowered patient self care.
- All advice should be evidence based.
2
Q
Give examples of minor ailments
A
- Acne - Eczema
- Athlete’s foot - Haemorrhoids
- Back ache - Sore throat
- Cold sores - Warts/veruccae
- Constipation - Period pain
- Cough - Head lice
- Diarrhoea - Sunburn
- Ear ache - Teething
- Conjunctivitis
3
Q
What are OTC medicines?
A
- Medicines that can be bought without a prescription
- Some are available only in pharmacies and legally kept behind the counter.
- 2 types:
1. P (pharmacy only) medicines - Pharmacist needs to supervise the sale as there MAY be more side effects.
2. GSL (General Sales list) medicines - These are more widely available (Markets/Garage)
4
Q
What is Self - care?
A
- Action taken by individuals to optimise (make the best use) his/her health and well being both PHYSICAL and MENTAL.
- It stands for both prevention of illnesses and self treatment of minor ailments as well as long term conditions that have been diagnosed by the doctor
5
Q
What are the 3 types of self care?
A
- Proactive - Individual takes action to keep fit. ( e.g. exercise to prevent heart attack).
- Facilitated - Individual purchases a medicine for minor ailments and is given advice by the pharmacist on how to use it and how to self manage condition. (Feel better).
- Supported - Support for s.c in long term condition advice on medicine optimisation.
6
Q
What are evidence based medicines?
A
- Its the use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients.
7
Q
Where do we look up for the answers to clinical questions backed up by evidence?
A
- NICE
- Clinical knowledge summaries
- Cochrane Reviews
8
Q
Are there any evidences for OTC medicines?
A
- POM to P switch
- Ibuprofen (nurofen) - Leads to cardiovascular disease when used in the long term, they were known to be safe to use when they were first developed in the 80s - experiments proved that it isn’t.
- Acicilovir (zovirax)
- Long established OTC medicines:
1. Cough medicines - Anecdotal; No published evidence that they are effective but as they have been available for a long time and as there is HIGH consumer demand has to be supplied. - Has a placebo effect (contains nothing). - Proffesional Responsibilities:
- Tell the patient that it may sooth it but NOT a cure.
9
Q
Why do we offer pharmacy services?
A
- Well placed to meet the needs of the population:
- Easy access
- Knowledge and expertise
- All OTC Medicines available : P only and GSL
- Able to signpost to other healthcare professionals
- Public health and health promotion role of pharmacist ( smoking cessation etc.)
- Provide info : Counselling and advise and provide NHS services.
- Minor ailments scheme (locally commissioned).
10
Q
What can pharmacist provide?
A
- Diagnosis
- Referral
- OTC medicines
- Info (Counselling and advice)
- Minor ailment scheme (locally commissioned)
11
Q
Minor ailments are…
A
- Self referral
- Self limiting
- Self treat with OTC medicines
- Self care
- No visiting to GP is required
- Not a chronic condition
- Best to get evidence based advise from a pharmacy
12
Q
What to do when a patient asks for a medicine ( e.g. benylin)?
A
- W - who is it for?
- W - what are the symptoms?
- H - how long have they had them?
- A - action already taken?
- M - medicines being taken for other problems?
Extra - Any allergies?
13
Q
Opening questions…
A
- Who is the medicine for? Very important question as this will determine what type of medication you will be prescribing as the patient can be a child which means different medication needs to be prescribed.
- Ask for their symptoms:
- Make them describe their symptoms.
- Show them that you are listening by - eye contact and nodding you head and “Paraphrase” to confirm you understand.
Additionally, you can make them tell you more about their symptoms by asking “ Tell me about” rather than “do you have”
14
Q
A protective mechanism…
A
- Interference may delay its disappearance (cough) or exacerbate ( make conditions worse) the underlying cause.
- Does the patient smoke?
- is the cough permanent or reoccurring?
- Have symptoms changed?
- Are there any other warning signs?
If symptoms of cough get worse = warning = refer
- Any herbal remedies tried?
15
Q
What cough medicines to sell?
A
Chesty or dry cough?
Drowsy or non drowsy?
Known ingredients (EBM)
