Abstract
BackgroundPharmacists are often marginalised from participating fully in a Multidisciplinary Team (MDT). Pharmacists can contribute in the renal MDT by minimising drug-related problems and optimising therapy.AimThe study aimed to explore the current role of pharmacists in renal care at a tertiary hospital in South Africa, and to recommend strategies to improve their participation in the renal MDT.MethodAn exploratory descriptive qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews. The participants were selected using purposive sampling. The audiotaped interviews were transcribed exactly as spoken and analysed using thematic content analysis.ResultsThree themes emerged from the analysis: pharmacist’s current scope of practice within the renal MDT, potential future roles of pharmacists, and perceived barriers to participation of pharmacists within the renal MDT. Furthermore, participants provided recommendations to increase pharmacist’s participation in the renal MDT: that is standardisation of practice, skills development of both pharmacist and pharmacist assistants and recognition of pharmacist services in the wards.ConclusionThe role of pharmacists at Pietersburg Hospital is the official name of the hospital is confined to stock management and dispensing. Efforts should be made to improve the participation of pharmacists in the MDTs with the intention to standardise the practice of pharmacists in the wards, equip both pharmacists and pharmacist assistants with the necessary skills and recognise pharmacist’s services in the wards.
Highlights
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing health concern and a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide (Neuen et al 2017; Stevens, Viswanathan & Weiner 2010)
While the integration of pharmacists in the wards to provide clinical services is common among First World countries such as the United States of America (USA) and and the United Kingdom (UK), it is still lacking in South Africa and other African countries (Bronkhorst et al 2014; Gray et al 2016; Mekonnen et al 2013; Stemer & Lemmens-Gruber 2011)
A potential opportunity exists for pharmacists to offer direct renal care services within the renal Multidisciplinary Team (MDT)
Summary
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing health concern and a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide (Neuen et al 2017; Stevens, Viswanathan & Weiner 2010). The renal Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) integrates the interventions of nephrologists, physicians, nurses, dieticians and pharmacists who provide care to patients with renal disorders (Chen et al 2012). When properly implemented, this team meets the health demands of the patients when compared to individual patient–physician care (Clarke 2013). The role of a pharmacist in the renal MDT includes identifying, addressing and preventing drug-related problems, providing recommendations on drug selection and treatment plans, adjusting doses, preventing use of contraindicated drugs and enhancing patient adherence (Biradar et al 2012; Splawski & Minger 2016). Pharmacists can contribute in the renal MDT by minimising drug-related problems and optimising therapy
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