“They ask me: why consult with a pharmacist?” - Patients’ experiences with a comprehensive medication management service

Thais Rolla De Caux,Djenane Ramalho-De-Oliveira,Isabela Viana Oliveira,Mariana Martins Gonzaga Do Nascimento,Kirla Barbosa Detoni

doi:10.33448/rsd-v10i6.16147

Thais Rolla De Caux, Djenane Ramalho-De-Oliveira + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v10i6.16147

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Abstract

This study aims to reveal the patients’ experiences with a comprehensive medication management (CMM) service delivered in a specialty pharmacy in Brazil. This is a qualitative study performed from September 2015 to February 2016. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 patients followed-up in a CMM service in a specialty pharmacy located in Minas Gerais state. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed with the assistance of the NVivo11® software. According to the participants, they did not know what to expect from CMM at first. They showed difficulties on establishing a solid concept for CMM, however, they pointed some key aspects of pharmaceutical care philosophy based on their experience with the service. The interviewees identified the CMM pharmacist, seen as a care professional, as a different professional compared to the traditional pharmacist, mainly identified by them as a salesman. The ability to listen and the time that the CMM professional dedicated in the consultations were highlighted as primordial in the process of building a therapeutic relationship with the patient. The difficulties the patients have for establishing a solid concept for CMM might be due to the lack of pharmacists exerting this function, considering CMM is still a new service in Brazil. The results of this work can guide efforts to build a better interaction between patients and pharmacists, in a constant search for offering the best care possible.

Highlights

A high level of drug-related morbidity and mortality has been identified worldwide by various authors in the past few decades (Souza et al, 2014; Saha et al, 2008; Gurwitz et al, 2003; Ernst & Grizzle, 2001)
Pharmaceutical care is a person-centered practice that was developed in this context with the primary objective of identifying, preventing and solving drug therapy problems (DTP) to ensure that all the medications in use by the patient are necessary, effective, safe, and that the patient is able to adhere to the therapy
The results presented above through the patients’ speeches enable a better understanding of the patients’ experiences with a comprehensive medication management service delivered in a specialty pharmacy in Brazil

Summary

Introduction

A high level of drug-related morbidity and mortality has been identified worldwide by various authors in the past few decades (Souza et al, 2014; Saha et al, 2008; Gurwitz et al, 2003; Ernst & Grizzle, 2001). Pharmaceutical care is a person-centered practice that was developed in this context with the primary objective of identifying, preventing and solving drug therapy problems (DTP) to ensure that all the medications in use by the patient are necessary, effective, safe, and that the patient is able to adhere to the therapy. In this practice, the professional assumes the responsibility of being co-responsible for the best results of drug use. The philosophy and the methodological principles of pharmaceutical care guide the provision of a clinical service called comprehensive medication management (CMM) (Cipolle et al, 2012; Hepler & Strand, 1990)

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