Browse by author
Lookup NU author(s): Dr Yincent TseORCiD, Dr Adam RathboneORCiD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
Abstract ObjectivesLiquid formulations are the most widely used pharmaceutical forms among children but may not be the most appropriate. ‘Pill School’ methodologies exist to teach children how to swallow tablets but are not yet integrated into primary care. The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives of key stakeholders on running ‘Pill Schools’.MethodsWe used tailored surveys to gather perspectives from four key stakeholder groups: children and young people; parents and carers; school staff and healthcare professionals working in general practice.Key findingsIn total, 140 people participated, including 11 children and young people, 22 parents, 16 schoolbased staff (50%, n=8 were head teachers), 91 primary care-based healthcare professionals most of whom were GPs (60.4%, n=55), pharmacists (16.5%, n=15), and nurses (10%, n=9). Most stakeholders consulted were supportive of the concept of ‘Pill School’. Common enablers mentioned by healthcare professionals were time and funding. The main barriers mentioned were time, capacity and workload with others citing parental concerns in addition.ConclusionsThe consultation explored stakeholders' perspectives of teaching children to swallow tablets in community settings. Most stakeholders were supportive of the concept of ‘Pill School’. Healthcare professionals favoured starting with children from aged 4 and above whilst parents, and school staff favoured starting with children from 8 years and above. There was a clear interest in taking this forward to equip children with this life skill early on, avoiding them becoming adults who have difficulty swallowing tablets.
Author(s): Bracken L, Gill A, Carter B, McCloskey A, Tse Y, Lewis D, Rathbone A, Skoutelis N, Hawcutt D, Irving G, Ainsworth J, Oni L, Lim E
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: International Journal of Pharmacy Practice
Year: 2025
Issue: ePub ahead of Print
Online publication date: 24/11/2025
Acceptance date: 13/10/2025
Date deposited: 15/10/2025
ISSN (print): 0961-7671
ISSN (electronic): 2042-7174
Publisher: Oxford University Press
URL: https://doi.org/10.1093/ijpp/riaf106
DOI: 10.1093/ijpp/riaf106
ePrints DOI: 10.57711/1g1f-xf43
Data Access Statement: The data underlying this article will be shared on reasonable request to the corresponding author.
Altmetrics provided by Altmetric
