Farmacijos specialistų, dirbančių daugiau nei 15 metų visuomenės vaistinėse, bendradarbiavimo su gydytojais patirties vertinimas: kokybinis tyrimas ; The evaluation of inter-professional collaboration experience between physician and pharmacy professionals, working at community pharmacy more than 15...
The inter-professional cooperation between pharmacists and physicians is becoming of crucial importance in ensuring safe and appropriate healthcare services. A solid amount of evidences suggests that this collaboration is beneficial for all participants and provide benefits for patient However, this collaboration is facing challenges and obstacles for applying it in wide practice. Nation and international surveys suggest that both physicians and pharmacists do not avail themselves of cooperation opportunities. The aim of the study was to evaluate pharmacists experience and attitude towards collaboration between physicians and pharmacy professionals working in community pharmacies. Methods: The qualitative method with mixed data collection strategy has been used. It has focused on collaboration between pharmacists (with work experience of 15 years and more) and physicians. The focus group discussion has been carried out with four pharmacy professionals constantly cooperating with physicians. The vignette survey was performed with 21 pharmacy professionals. The data collection was performed from December 2014 to September 2015. Results: Our findings suggest that pharmacists are involved in communication with physicians quite often. However, these interactions are sufficiently short and usually limited to a phone call dealing with a wrong prescription or medication dosage prescribed to the patient. It means that the collaboration is still not so efficient and effective teamwork. Physicians communicate with pharmacists for getting information regarding different aspects of medicines, i.e. dosage, international name, manufacturer, etc. It should be noted, that only a small number of pharmacists maintain regular contacts with physicians and regularly discuss developments, legislative changes, medicines and their benefits to the patient. The respondents believe, that effective cooperation between physicians and pharmacists is hampered by professional prejudices, lack of a common goal, underestimation of the pharmacist knowledge and skills, etc. Insights: In summary, the results suggest that current inter-professional collaboration between physicians and pharmacist is not based on the efficient and effective teamwork. However, the majority of interviewed pharmaceutical professionals identified the benefits of cooperation. Moreover, it was mentioned, that the given field requires changes, new approaches and initiatives in order to ensure an efficient and effective service delivery to patients.