This study presents the first systematic assessment of patient-reported experiences with the UK NHS-funded national community pharmacy-led Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) service. It demonstrates high patient satisfaction and shows that the service significantly improves patients' confidence and self-care abilities in managing UTIs. The study highlights the critical role of pharmacists in antimicrobial stewardship and provides valuable insights for optimizing healthcare systems.
Literature Overview
This article, titled 'I Felt Empowered': Patient-Reported Experience with a Pilot National Community Pharmacy-Based Urinary Tract Infection Service, published in the journal Antibiotics, reviews and summarizes a pilot program launched in Wales, UK, in June 2024, that delivers urinary tract infection (UTI) care through community pharmacies. It analyses patient experiences and feedback regarding this pharmacy-led UTI service. Based on 309 valid questionnaires, the study evaluates the service's impact on symptom management, antimicrobial use education, and future healthcare-seeking behavior, showing high overall patient satisfaction and that most patients would still choose pharmacies as their first point of care in the future.
Background Knowledge
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common infections in community healthcare, accounting for 1-3% of primary care consultations. Traditionally, UTI treatment has been led by general practitioners (GPs), but as community pharmacy services expand, the role of pharmacists in disease management is increasingly significant. In this study, pharmacists assessed symptoms, performed urine rapid tests, and dispensed antimicrobials (if appropriate) through a standardized process, playing a key role in antimicrobial stewardship and patient education. While several countries, including Scotland, Canada, and Australia, have implemented pharmacist-led UTI management services, the nationwide rollout in the UK is still in the pilot phase. This study provides the first systematic evaluation of patient experiences with the Wales-based pharmacy-led UTI service, offering data support for future policy and service optimization.
Research Methods and Experiments
The study adopted an positivist research paradigm, collecting patient feedback through questionnaires. The survey covered patients who used the UTI service between June 29, 2024, and January 31, 2025. The questionnaire included items such as patient satisfaction scores (1-10), understanding of the service process, participation in decision-making, acceptance of urine testing, antimicrobial use, and future healthcare-seeking behavior. Data were collected through both electronic and paper formats to ensure anonymity and data completeness.
Key Conclusions and Perspectives
Research Significance and Prospects
This study provides the first nationwide patient-reported experience data on pharmacy-led UTI services, showing that pharmacists have significant potential in primary healthcare by reducing the burden on GPs and improving the quality of antimicrobial stewardship. Longitudinal studies are needed to track changes in patient behavior over time and assess the service's impact on national antimicrobial use. Additionally, the study recommends optimizing pharmacy service accessibility and training systems to support broader implementation.
Conclusion
This study systematically evaluated patient experiences with the community pharmacy-led UTI service in Wales, UK, showing high patient satisfaction and demonstrating that pharmacists play an important role in antimicrobial stewardship, patient education, and self-care guidance. The study provides empirical support for pharmacist-led primary disease management and contributes to healthcare policy reforms that shift primary care from general practice to the community. Future research should verify the service’s impact on the appropriate use of antimicrobials and healthcare resource allocation.
