Advancing the Pharmacy Practice Model: Survey of New Practitioner Attitudes and Opinions

Abstract

Purpose As members of the future pharmacy workforce, newly practicing pharmacists will be directly involved in key changes in practice. The purpose of this study is to (a) determine the desirability of core health-system pharmacist responsibilities among new practitioners, (b) assess new practitioner satisfaction about the current state of practice, and (c) evaluate the willingness of newly practicing pharmacists to change practice. Results Results from this study indicate new practitioners have a greater preference for clinical, direct patient care activities compared with traditional operational functions. There is a disparity between new practitioner preferences and current practice opportunities. Respondents were satisfied with pharmacy practice at their institution (86%), yet less satisfied (56%) with the current state of health-system pharmacy practice in the United States. Satisfaction with practice at respondents' institutions was significantly associated with region, with respondents from the Great Lakes region significantly more satisfied than respondents from the Eastern, Western, and Southeastern regions ( P = .02). Respondents with postgraduate training had 2.3 times higher odds of being satisfied than those without postgraduate training ( P = .02). Survey respondents indicated a general willingness to accept change. When these results were compared to director of pharmacy responses from a 2008 survey, differences were identified between new practitioner preferences and practice availability. Conclusion New practitioners tend to prefer clinical functions with greater direct patient contact and are satisfied with pharmacy practice. New practitioners are willing to accept change and, therefore, will be integral to developing and implementing practice models. These findings will help the profession move forward in developing practice models that address new practitioner skills, attitudes, and opinions, successfully building the future vision of pharmacy practice.