Pharmacists' Beliefs about Bioidentical Hormone Therapy
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To identify pharmacists’ beliefs about bioidentical hormone therapy (BHT) and determine factors influencing these beliefs. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional survey targeting practicing pharmacists in Alberta. Participants completed a 54-item, online questionnaire, designed to capture their demographics, as well as their beliefs about BHT. Summary statistics and multivariate regression were used for analyses. Qualitative components were analyzed using phenomenological approach. RESULTS: Over half of respondents believed BHT had equal efficacy and risks as non-bioidentical hormones. Beliefs on estriol, natural progesterone, and saliva testing however, were more diverse with many do not know responses (40%). In multivariate analysis, BHT compounding practice was associated with beliefs about BHT. Qualitative analysis identified contrasting themes between pharmacists who practiced in a BHT compounding pharmacy versus those who did not. CONCLUSION: Results from this survey indicated that pharmacists had varying beliefs on BHT. This study helps identify areas for targeted education.