Patient assessment and documentation integrated in community practice: Chat, check, and chart

Abstract

ObjectiveTo explore how pharmacists integrated the Chat,Check andChart (CCC) tools in community practice and to identify barriers and facilitators to use. DesignConcurrent nested mixed-method study. Open-ended, semi-structured qualitative interviews on tools use and a quantitative survey were completed via telephone. SettingCommunity-based pharmacy practice. Participants39 community pharmacists consented to interviews2 months after the CCC training workshop; 22 completed an interview. InterventionWorkshop training on CCC tools and workplace implementation strategies. Main outcome measuresBarriers, facilitators and implementation strategies for CCC tools. ResultsMore pharmacists were implementing or had made patient assessment part of their practice (54%) than documentation of patient care (36%). Integration was facilitated by patient success, collaborative worksite, personal beliefs, and provincial regulations. Lack of routines, patient expectations, reimbursement, and time were familiar barriers. Strategies to overcome these barriers included practicing new habits, using technology, starting small, using physical reminders, and recognizing benefits. ConclusionPatient care tools for assessment and documentation had both positive and negativeeffects on patients, pharmacists, and community pharmacies because of demands on time, lack of resources, and limited personal, external, and patient expectations of pharmacists’ care. Findings resulted in Alberta College of Pharmacists academic detailing of the CCC tools duringonsite pharmacy assessments to help pharmacists meet or exceed provincial practice standards.