Responses of Community Pharmacists to Consultations for Acute Back Pain: A Patient Simulation in Baghdad, Iraq

Objective: to examine how community pharmacists responded to patients' consultations with acute back pain, the researchers were used as simulated patients. Method: The study was cross-sectional and was carried out in a community pharmacy setting over the course of four months, from July to October 2024. Baghdad was the site of the study. A convenient sample of one hundred forty pharmacies was selected. The researchers pretended to be patients when they entered the pharmacy. After the visit, a check list was completed right away. Result: A total of 140 participants were recruited in the study, 51.4% were males. Most participants were from the age group (20-29 years),62 of pharmacies had a staff of two persons, while 70 pharmacies had a staff of two visitors. Majority of pharmacists questions were about who suffered the back pain, age of the patient, time of pain occurred and gastrointestinal symptoms. No one of the pharmacists provided the patient with any leaflets or reading materials for the treatment. Medication options were distributed between different options with highest options gone for diclofenac and patches and the lowest option for Acetaminophen. Conclusion: Although there are still gaps in thorough evaluation and patient education, the study emphasizes the important role community pharmacists play in treating acute back pain.