Exploring Pharmacist Roles in Telepharmacy for Chronic Disease Management in New York State: A Qualitative Inquiry into Improving Implementation, Patient Communication, and Healthcare Technology Support.

Abstract

Background This qualitative study aimed to collect information regarding pharmacists' roles in telepharmacy and chronic disease management (CDM).The literature review was conducted on historical overview, CDM overview, social determinants of health (SDOH), disparities, hospital readmissions, adverse drug events, best practices, and global implications of telepharmacy. Materials and methods Eleven licensed pharmacists from New York working in retail or hospital settings were interviewed using 16 questions. The interview covered topics such as CDM, hospital readmissions, adverse drug events, best practices, SDOH, and health disparities. The recordings of these interviews were transcribed and coded for each open-ended question, resulting in 136 different codes. Results According to the comprehensive review of interview transcripts, there is still an urgent need for communication between healthcare providers and patients, pharmacist training for telepharmacy services and SDOH, and healthcare technology support. CDM can be advanced by pharmacists by understanding patient barriers, SDOHs, health disparities, and pill burdens, as well as incorporating a multidisciplinary approach to patient care. Pharmacists must facilitate open communication, overcome technological barriers, seek support from stakeholders for telepharmacy training, and integrate new mobile applications to improve telepharmacy implementation and operations for providing interventions. Conclusion The research provides insights into the comprehensive impact of telepharmacy on healthcare delivery and its potential to transform CDM. With the expansion of telepharmacy, individuals living with chronic diseases can experience improved medication adherence and overallhealth outcomes.