Background: Pharmacists are positioned as an accessible source of patient care services (PCS). Despite the adversity community pharmacies continue to face, the expanding opportunity of offering PCS continues to be a pathway forward. Objective: To identify community pharmacists’ perceptions to deliver PCS within an enhanced service network. Methods: One-on-one semi-structured phone interviews were conducted as part of a mixed-methods approach. Interview transcripts were analyzed using a consensus codebook to draft thematic findings. Participants were recruited from an electronic survey targeting community pharmacists from the New York chapters of the Community Pharmacy Enhanced Services Network (CPESN). Results: Twelve pharmacists were interviewed with four main themes identified. The majority of study participants were pharmacy owners (92%) devoting an average of 15 h/week to PCS and 8 h/week addressing social barriers. The main themes identified include: (1) perceptions of pharmacy profession, (2) reimbursement models and sustainability of PCS, (3) provision of patient care services, and (4) how PCS address social determinants of health. Conclusions: Offering PCS opportunities for patients is a direction many community pharmacists have embraced and are working to succeed. Ongoing research is needed focusing on community pharmacists’ self-perceptions of the clinical impact and role they hold in an evolving healthcare system.

BackgroundHealth care is transitioning from fee‐for‐service towards value‐based care. Community pharmacies are providing an increasing number of patient care services (PCS) that improve medication adherence, medication knowledge, and overall patient health. The provision of these services may differ based on the socioeconomic characteristics of the patient population. There is a lack of information on PCS delivery in independent community pharmacies and how these services are provided to underserved populations.ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to: (a) Evaluate the current level of commitment and readiness of independent community pharmacies in delivering PCS, and (b) Assess community pharmacists' perceptions of addressing social barriers and health disparities among underserved populations.MethodsThis was a cross‐sectional electronic survey distributed to independent community pharmacies who were members of a pharmacy advocacy or PCS organization in New York State.ResultsOne‐hundred and twenty‐five surveys were distributed, with 65 responses (52% response rate) from a high proportion of pharmacy owners (75%). A majority of pharmacies (53%) devoted more than 10 hours per week to PCS, such as immunizations and home delivery. Many pharmacies (47.7%) were willing to devote more than 20 hours per week to PCS with proper reimbursement and were willing to hire additional staff to support these services. Most pharmacies did not use their pharmacy software to target patients for PCS, instead enrolling via staff recommendation or self‐referral. Many pharmacies (48%) reported that greater than 30% of their patient population experienced social‐related barriers including low income and transportation issues. Pharmacies addressed social barriers by offering tailored services towards patient needs.ConclusionsIndependent community pharmacies remain diligent and actively involved in delivering PCS. Many pharmacy patients experience social‐related barriers towards care, and pharmacies are responding by offering tailored services. Further research is needed on the implementation and economic sustainability of PCS in community pharmacy settings.

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