Estetologia Medyczna i Kosmetologia

Medical Esthetology and Cosmetology • e-ISSN 2084-2007 • DOI: 10.14320/EstetolMedKosmetol • Open Access

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Analysis of the competences of dermoconsultants in drugstores and pharmacies and the problems that clients bring to them

Monika Szopa, Danuta Plichta, Radoslaw Spiewak

Recommended citation format: Szopa M, Plichta D, Spiewak R. Analysis of the competences of dermoconsultants in drugstores and pharmacies and the problems that clients bring to them Estetol Med Kosmetol. 2018; 8: 006.en. DOI: 10.14320/EMK.2018.006.en

Abstract

Introduction: In pharmacies and drugstores, one may encounter dermoconsultants who advise customers on choosing cosmetics, but incidental observations indicate that they sometimes also provide health advice. This raises questions about the competence of dermoconsultants in the field of health and skin problems. The aim of this study was to understand the problems which customers consult with dermoconsultants in drugstores and pharmacies. An additional goal was to learn about the professional education of dermoconsultants. Materials and Methods: The questionnaire survey included 11 questions regarding, among other things, the problems with which customers reported to dermoconsultants and the education of dermoconsultants. The survey was addressed to women working as dermoconsultants in drugstores and pharmacies. Additionally, from 1 December 2017 to 31 March 2018, the first author, while working as a dermoconsultant, recorded the problems with which clients sought her advice. Descriptive analysis of responses was carried out using Microsoft Office Excel 2016 program. Results: The study group consisted of 57 dermoconsultants. Over half (56.1%) of respondents stated that their services were most frequently used by women aged 35 to 49. Among the problems with which clients came to them, the most common were acne (63.2%), skin aging (54.4%), and atopic dermatitis (38.6%). This order corresponded to the most common problems reported by clients during 2,489 dermoconsultations provided over a 4-month period by the first author at the Super-Pharm pharmacy in Krakow: acne vulgaris (41.6%), skin aging (37.1%) and atopic dermatitis (9.7%). Among the dermoconsultants participating in the survey, 79.0% declared professional training in cosmetics and cosmetology. Over half of the respondents (57.8%) declared higher education, with 29.8% of dermoconsultants declaring a master's degree in cosmetology and 28.0% declaring a bachelor's degree in cosmetology. 15.8% of respondents completed specialized cosmetology courses, and 10.5% completed vocational schools specializing in cosmetic services. 21.0% of the respondents reported no specialized education in medical sciences or cosmetics and cosmetology. Conclusions: The most common problems with which clients turn to dermoconsultants are acne, skin aging, and atopic dermatitis. Dermoconsultants are predominantly those with professional training in cosmetics and cosmetology. One in five dermoconsultants has no formal training in medical sciences or cosmetics and cosmetology.

Keywords: dermoconsultants, pharmacy, drugstore, duties, scope of activities, education, professional competences.

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Open Access; online ISSN 2084-2007; DOI: 10.14320/EstetolMedKosmetol
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Document created: 22 October 2018, last updated: 30 December 2018
© Radoslaw Spiewak Instytut Dermatologii