Pharmacist and student pharmacist perspectives on providing preconception care in the United States

Objectives: The primary objective was to assess pharmacist and student pharmacist current involvement and interest in providing preconception care services. Secondary objectives were to assess comfort in providing these services to various subpopulations in addition to training and resource needs.

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in the United States and its territories from August 26 to October 14, 2016. Pharmacists and student pharmacists were recruited via a Facebook advertisement to participate in a self-administered survey assessing experiences, interest, and comfort in providing preconception care services in addition to training and resource needs.

Results: Three hundred thirty-two responses were included in the final analysis from the United States and its territories. Most respondents were female (72%) and pharmacists (65%). Respondents reported providing preconception care services, from routine immunizations (54%) to sexually transmitted disease (STD) and HIV screening and management (13%). Respondents also expressed strongest interest in providing new services for STD and HIV screening and management (68%) and minimizing risk of medication teratogenicity (62%). Respondents were most comfortable providing services to female adults (88%) and female adolescents (65%) compared with male adults (61%) and male adolescents (32%). Respondents indicated that tools, such as patient medical records (67%), patient educational materials (66%), and clinical guidelines (60%), would facilitate adoption of preconception care services.

Conclusion: This study provides the first insights on the involvement, interest, and comfort of pharmacists and student pharmacists in the United States and its territories related to preconception care. Most respondents indicated that they are currently providing or are interested in providing preconception care services. Tools and resources should be developed to facilitate pharmacist provision of preconception care services.