Case study: Sam Reid

Sam was the owner of several community pharmacies in the North East of Scotland. Several of her pharmacies belonged to the regional community pharmacy research network that existed until a few years ago. Sam was involved in research in a variety of ways. She consented to a researcher undertaking an in-pharmacy observation study to explore how OTC consultations were managed – as the pharmacist manager, she consented for her pharmacy to participate and then each member of staff who wished to participate also consented. So, both Sam and her team were practising as usual, and were observed by a researcher for the purpose of the study.

One of Sam’s pharmacies also participated in a randomised controlled trial to test different strategies to promote the adoption of evidence based guidelines in community pharmacies. Sam and her team members were participants and attended a training event to be eligible to participate in the trial.

Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire before and after the training period, to explore the different aspects of practice that were being targeted by the trial. Neither Sam nor her team members required any specific training or knowledge about research in order to be involved. The information (data/evidence) that they generated has contributed to the body of evidence available for community pharmacy practice nationally and internationally.