Characteristics and apprehensions of clinical pharmacologists in Swedish healthcare—a questionnaire study

Abstract

To describe the discipline clinical pharmacology of today in the Swedish healthcare system from the performers' point of view. A questionnaire was administered in December 2012 to physicians working within the specialty clinical pharmacology in the Swedish healthcare system (7 sites; 1-26 physicians per site). The questionnaire included questions pertaining to the characteristics of the responder and statements to which the responder indicated his/her level of agreement using a score ranging from 1 (total disagreement) to 5 (total agreement). A total of 61 completed questionnaires were returned (response rate: 97 %; 55 % male; 74 % specialists and/or consultants). In the preceding month, 79 % of the responders had performed educational activities, 74 % had functioned as an "expert", and 75 % had performed research. The academic merits of the responders were high, with 72 % having at least a PhD degree and 23 % being professors. Among those performing research, the focus of 83 % was related to the field of clinical pharmacology, with the main sub-areas being pharmacoepidemiology (59 %) and/or pharmacogenetics (41 %). Regarding the apprehension questions, the responders strongly agreed that the specialty clinical pharmacology meets a need in the healthcare system (4.5 ± 0.7), that they wanted to continue to work within the specialty (4.5 ± 0.7), that their personal professional prospects were good (3.9 ± 1.0), and that they would recommend a colleague to specialize within the field (3.9 ± 1.1). The responders from the largest and first established site (Karolinska University Hospital) agreed with these points to a significantly greater extent than responders from other sites. The majority of the performers of clinical pharmacology in Swedish healthcare consider this specialty to be important to the medical community. By carrying out educational activities, providing expertise, and performing research, the performers seem to be content with their work and future prospects. Performers within the largest and oldest site in Sweden, generally held the most positive view of the specialty.