Junior doctors' satisfaction with the ward pharmacy service in the Hammersmith and Queen Charlotte's special health authority

Abstract

Abstract A questionnaire was drawn up to ascertain junior doctors' satisfaction with the ward pharmacy service in the Hammersmith and Queen Charlotte's special health authority, London. The questionnaire was designed for face to face interviews lasting not more than 10 minutes. The interviews were taped and the interviewer was not known to the doctors. The survey took place in January, 1992. Forty three out of 135 senior house officers, registrars and senior registrars employed by the special health authority were randomly selected for interview and 26 (60 per cent) of these were seen. Eighty five per cent of doctors thought the service was better than average and most doctors were satisfied with aspects of the service such as prescription monitoring, advice received from and friendliness of ward pharmacists. Only one doctor rated the service as worse than that in other hospitals in which he had worked. Fifteen doctors suggested increased liaison or contact between ward pharmacists and doctors would make the service better. A number of issues have been raised concerning the service which have been addressed and we intend to repeat the survey in the future.