Role of community pharmacy in preventing CVD in minority ethnic groups
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An exploration of the role of community pharmacy in the prevention of cardiovascular disease in minority ethnic groups
IRAS ID
353316
Contact name
Ian Maidment
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Aston University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 31 days
Research summary
CVD is one of the leading causes of death in the UK, with minority ethnic groups being disproportionately affected. For the purposes of this project, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is defined as conditions impacting the heart and circulatory system, including aortic disease, coronary heart disease, heart failure, heart valve disease, peripheral artery disease, transient ischaemic attack, stroke, and vascular dementia. Accordingly, the eligibility of patient participants will be determined based on their self-reported diagnosis.
Many factors contribute to these inequalities, including cultural beliefs, language barriers, and differences in access to healthcare services. Community pharmacies are uniquely placed in local communities and have the potential to play an important role in preventing CVD by offering accessible advice and services. However, little is known about how well community pharmacy services currently meet the needs of minority ethnic groups or what improvements could be made to better support these communities.
This study aims to explore the perspectives of patients from minority ethnic groups, their family carers, and healthcare staff regarding the potential role of community pharmacy in preventing CVD. By conducting individual semi-structured interviews with these groups and thematically analysing the interview transcripts, the research will gather detailed insights into their experiences, barriers they face, and what they feel would make community pharmacy services more effective.
The findings from this study will help identify how community pharmacies can provide tailored, culturally appropriate services to minority ethnic groups. This could lead to practical recommendations for improving community pharmacy-led CVD prevention initiatives, which could ultimately reduce health inequalities and improve health outcomes.
Patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) will guide the project to ensure the research remains relevant and meaningful to the communities involved. The outcomes of this study may also inform policymakers and healthcare providers about how to better meet the needs of minority ethnic groups.REC name
HSC REC A
REC reference
25/NI/0087
Date of REC Opinion
18 Jun 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion