Professional perspectives on a feasibility study of GP-pharmacist collaboration in the management of angina

Abstract

Abstract Objective To report the views and experiences of a convenience sample of community pharmacists and general practitioners (GPs) who participated in a five-month feasibility study exploring the ways in which community pharmacists could contribute to the management of patients with stable angina when working in partnership with GPs. Method Five pharmacists delivered a specified model of care, which represented one component of a district-wide strategy aimed at improving the management of ischaemic heart disease (IHD), to 208 patients in eight general practices. The care involved six evidence-based interventions: smoking cessation, dietary advice, exercise, aspirin, beta-blockers and statins. This paper illuminates professional perspectives concerning involvement in the study. The findings of semi-structured interviews exploring views and experiences of the pharmacists during the first and the final month of the study and those of the GPs at completion of the study are reported. Setting St Helens and Knowsley, UK, an area with a high IHD standardised mortality rate (SMR). Key findings The pharmacists reported high levels of satisfaction and success in relation to the study interventions and more professionally satisfying relationships with patients and GPs. Successes with therapeutic interventions were described, both within and external to the study protocol. The GPs expressed a high level of satisfaction with the conduct and outcome of the pharmacist delivered care and heightened awareness of the need to review their approach to preventive care for IHD patients. Conclusion The findings confirm that pharmacists and GPs can work in partnership to deliver a specified model of care to patients with stable IHD and also inform the debate on a role for community pharmacists as dependent prescribers.