Preventing opiate substitution therapy deaths: an observation study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Community pharmacists’ role in preventing opiate substitution therapy (OST) deaths: an investigation into current UK practice
IRAS ID
140414
Contact name
Ramesh Yadav
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bath
Research summary
The need for this study was identified in our original semistructured
interview study where community pharmacists
discussed their methadone service provision. Data arising from interview analysis suggests that pharmacists and
pharmacy staff may change their professional clinical decisionmaking
and professional communication behaviors
when interacting with a person receiving opiate substitution therapy (OST), compared to non OST patients. The
purpose of this study is to validate this self reported behaviour.
We have designed an observational study with two components. (1) we will observe the interaction between pharmacy
staff and people presenting with OST and nonOST
prescriptions. The focus will be on staff behaviours. (2) We will
observe the dispensing and checking of OST prescriptions and non OST prescriptions, to observe potential differences
in practice. These observation sessions would be of sufficient frequency and duration to substantially reduce the
possibility of influencing staff behaviour (called 'Hawthorne effect').
OST and non OST prescriptions are easily distinguishable without knowing any patient details because OST
prescriptions are blue and double sized whereas non OST prescriptions are green.
Pharmacists who previously took part in the interview study will be invited to opt in to the observation study. We aim to
observe in 15 pharmacies. During the observation, the researcher will be placed within the pharmacy at the counter
side, as if they are a member of staff. Although such a study could be done covertly, this was not considered ethical.
The researcher will not record any audio or visual images, instead field notes will be made during and after the
observation episode. Notes will be analysed using content analysis, a technique used to bring out the main points
from the data.REC name
South West - Central Bristol Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/SW/0140
Date of REC Opinion
7 Aug 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion