A cross-sectional survey of general practitioners’ experiences with, views of, and attitudes towards, practice-based pharmacists

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Five-year pilot schemes were announced in both England and Northern Ireland (NI) to integrate practice-based pharmacists (PBPs) into general practices. The NI scheme anticipates that there will be 300 whole time equivalent PBPs in post by the end of the pilot (2020/2021).[1] There is little existing UK literature on PBPs’ role evolution and few studies have explored general practitioners’ (GPs) experiences of pharmacist integration into primary care practice. Aim To investigate GPs’ experiences with PBPs, their views about the PBP role and its impact upon patients and GPs, and their attitudes towards collaboration with PBPs. Methods A paper-based self-administered questionnaire was mailed to all general practices (n=329) across Northern Ireland (NI) on two occasions during September and October 2019, and was completed by one GP in every practice who had most contact with the PBP. The questionnaire was developed following a comprehensive literature review and comprised four sections (Table 1). Descriptive analyses were conducted using SPSS v26 and responses to open-ended questions were analysed thematically. Results The response rate was 61.7% (203/329). Respondents had a median age of 52.0 years and there was at least one PBP per general practice. All GPs had face-to-face meetings with PBPs, with three-quarters (78.7%, n=159) meeting with the PBP more than once a week. GPs reported that two-thirds of PBPs (62.4%, n=126) were qualified as independent prescribers, with 76.2% of prescribers (n=96) currently prescribing for patients. The most common PBP activities were medication reconciliation and medication reviews. The majority of GPs reported that PBPs always/very often had the required clinical skills (83.6%, n=162) and knowledge (87.0%, n=167) to provide safe and effective care for patients. However, only 31.1% (n=61) stated that PBPs sometimes had the confidence to make clinical decisions. The majority of GPs (>85%) displayed largely positive attitudes towards collaboration with PBPs. Most respondents agreed/strongly agreed that PBPs will have a positive impact on patient outcomes (95.0%, n=192) and can provide a better link between general practices and community pharmacists (96.1%, n=194). However, 24.8% of GPs (n=50) were unclear if the PBP role moved community pharmacists to the periphery of the primary care team. Thematic analysis of the open comments indicated that GPs were in favour of more PBP sessions and full-time posts. Conclusion This study has revealed that the majority of GPs had positive views and attitudes about the PBP role, its impact in primary care and collaboration with PBPs. The findings may have implications for future developments in order to extend integration of PBPs within general practice, including the enhancement of training in clinical skills and decision-making. Our target sample included all general practices within NI and the response rate enhanced generalisability at the practice level. However, the study sample was limited to NI, and some findings may not be relevant to other parts of the UK. Further work is required to explore PBPs’, community pharmacists’ and patients’ views of this role in general practice to corroborate study findings.