Informing collaborative relationships between community pharmacists and health care professionals in primary care practices

Abstract

BackgroundCollaborative relationships between community pharmacists and health care professionals in primary care practices can assist with the provision of medication and disease management services in community pharmacy settings. ObjectivesThe objective was to describe the attitudes of providers working in primary care practices with on-site pharmacist collaborators to understand how to facilitate similar collaborations with pharmacists in community pharmacy settings. MethodsThis qualitative study was conducted among physicians, nurse practitioners, and nurses of 3 primary care practice sites in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. A demographic survey and a semistructured interview were conducted to elicit feedback on participant perceptions about building relationships with community pharmacists. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. A qualitative analysis was performed to identify emerging themes using an inductive approach. Demographic data were summarized using descriptive statistics. This study was approved by the University’s Institutional Review Board. ResultsNineteen interviews were conducted. Fifty-eight percent of participants were physicians and 68% were female with a mean age of approximately 46 years. Five themes were identified: (1) Pharmacists were highly valued and were effective team members to promote coordination of medication-related care; (2) Direct access to pharmacists facilitates efficient communication and effective patient care; (3) Trust is the foundation of an effective collaboration between pharmacists and providers; (4) Pharmacists demonstrating responsibility for patients enables collaboration with providers who view themselves as stewards of patient care; and (5) Providers believe that community pharmacists’ dispensing requirements may limit their ability to participate in patient care. ConclusionsThe following strategies to establish relationships with primary care practices are suggested: pharmacists should initiate face-to-face relationships with providers in practices; communication and patient interventions should be conveyed directly to providers and be conducted by the same person; and pharmacists need to demonstrate their commitment to patient care by following up promptly on patient interventions.