Abstract
Background: Pharmacists are positioned as an accessible source of patient care services (PCS). Despite the adversity community pharmacies continue to face, the expanding opportunity of offering PCS continues to be a pathway forward. Objective: To identify community pharmacists’ perceptions to deliver PCS within an enhanced service network. Methods: One-on-one semi-structured phone interviews were conducted as part of a mixed-methods approach. Interview transcripts were analyzed using a consensus codebook to draft thematic findings. Participants were recruited from an electronic survey targeting community pharmacists from the New York chapters of the Community Pharmacy Enhanced Services Network (CPESN). Results: Twelve pharmacists were interviewed with four main themes identified. The majority of study participants were pharmacy owners (92%) devoting an average of 15 h/week to PCS and 8 h/week addressing social barriers. The main themes identified include: (1) perceptions of pharmacy profession, (2) reimbursement models and sustainability of PCS, (3) provision of patient care services, and (4) how PCS address social determinants of health. Conclusions: Offering PCS opportunities for patients is a direction many community pharmacists have embraced and are working to succeed. Ongoing research is needed focusing on community pharmacists’ self-perceptions of the clinical impact and role they hold in an evolving healthcare system.
Highlights
The rise of chronic disease necessitates increased access for patient care services (PCS) while controlling the cost of care, and improving healthcare outcomes [1]
Ongoing research is needed focusing on community pharmacists’ self-perceptions of the clinical impact and role they hold in an evolving healthcare system
Inclusion criteria included if they were a full-time licensed pharmacist employed at a non-chain, independent community pharmacy, if they were directly involved in PCS delivery or involved in the process, or if they were knowledgeable on and help set up PCS at their community pharmacy
Summary
The rise of chronic disease necessitates increased access for patient care services (PCS) while controlling the cost of care, and improving healthcare outcomes [1]. PCS in the context of community pharmacy are those services performed that are not product or dispensing related These services are focused on improving patient-specific clinical goals [3]. This patient-centric approach strategizes to improve the relationships patients have with their providers while concurrently addressing health concerns by diagnosis, as well as concerns beyond the clinical constructs such as social determinants of health. This type of approach in the American healthcare system is met with a high percentage chance of conflict, compared to other Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
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