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Diary cards and the assessment of cough symptoms in community pharmacies

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Abstract

The aim of this study is to compare cough symptom assessment and medication efficacy as recorded in a diary card with that obtained through direct questioning by a pharmacist. Clients visiting six pharmacies, purchasing a cough medication and meeting the inclusion criteria were recruited. They were asked to fill out diary cards to obtain a daily retrospective assessment of symptoms and medication efficacy. After three days the subjects returned to the pharmacy and were asked to recall their symptoms through a structured questionnaire administered by the pharmacist.48 clients were recruited to the study and of these 44 (92%‐ completed the study. A good correlation was obtained between ratings of medication efficacy as recorded by diary cards and recall. Symptom assessment also showed a statistically significant correlation for days two and three only.For studies assessing symptoms over a 48 hour period, detailed post‐study assessments may not be required. The study provides further evidence for the viability of clinical trials conducted through community pharmacies.

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Nandha, D., Goodyer, L. & Woodruffe‐Peacock, C. Diary cards and the assessment of cough symptoms in community pharmacies. Pharm World Sci 22, 17–20 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008717012718

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008717012718

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