Abstract
Objectives
Liquid 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’.
Methods
We 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 findings
In total, 140 people participated, including 11 children and young people, 22 parents, 16 school-based 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.
Conclusions
The 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.
Liquid 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’.
Methods
We 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 findings
In total, 140 people participated, including 11 children and young people, 22 parents, 16 school-based 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.
Conclusions
The 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.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-7 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | International Journal of Pharmacy Practice |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 24 Nov 2025 |
Keywords
- primary care
- delivery of care
- paediatrics
- clinical practice
- adherence
- patient behaviour
- medication review
- drug utilization