PSI Public Health 2

Question 1

What is the pharmacist's role in managing minor ailments in the community?

Accepted Answer

Assessing symptoms, recommending appropriate OTC treatments, providing self-care advice, and referring to a GP when symptoms suggest a more serious condition

Answer

Pharmacists manage common minor ailments (colds, headaches, hayfever, mild skin conditions) by assessing symptoms, recommending appropriate OTC treatments, providing lifestyle and self-care advice, and making appropriate referrals. This reduces pressure on GP services and provides convenient healthcare access.

Question 2

What is the 'Healthy Ireland' framework and how does it relate to pharmacy practice?

Accepted Answer

The national framework for improved health and wellbeing, which pharmacists support through health promotion, screening, lifestyle advice, and preventive healthcare services

Answer

Healthy Ireland is the government framework aimed at improving health and wellbeing and reducing health inequalities. Pharmacists contribute through health promotion activities, smoking cessation, weight management advice, physical activity encouragement, alcohol awareness, and providing accessible preventive healthcare.

Question 3

What are the key principles of health promotion that pharmacists should apply?

Accepted Answer

Empowerment, accessibility, evidence-based practice, equity, and a whole-population approach combining individual and community health interventions

Answer

Health promotion in pharmacy involves empowering patients with knowledge and skills, ensuring accessibility of services, using evidence-based approaches, addressing health inequalities, and taking opportunities for brief interventions during every patient interaction — not just during awareness campaigns.

Question 4

What is the pharmacist's obligation regarding the notification of infectious diseases in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Pharmacists should be aware of notifiable diseases and facilitate the notification process, though the primary reporting obligation lies with the attending medical practitioner

Answer

While the legal obligation to notify lies primarily with the medical practitioner, pharmacists play a supporting role by being aware of notifiable diseases, recognising unusual patterns in OTC sales that might indicate outbreaks, and facilitating the public health response through medicine supply and public information.

Question 5

How can pharmacists contribute to reducing health inequalities in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

By providing accessible healthcare services in all communities, offering health literacy support, promoting uptake of screening and vaccination, and adapting services for disadvantaged groups

Answer

Pharmacies are often the most accessible healthcare setting in communities, particularly in disadvantaged areas. Pharmacists can reduce health inequalities through accessible services, culturally sensitive care, health literacy support, targeted health promotion, and advocacy for equitable healthcare access.

PSI Pharmacy Practice Test

PSI Pharmacy Practice Test

PSI Public Health 2