OBJECTIVES
To explore the extent to which patients identify community
pharmacists as healthcare providers and the relationship of this perception
to a willingness to engage in pharmacist-provided services.
METHODS
A cross-sectional survey was conducted at a retail pharmacy and a
patient centered medical home (PCMH) in the New Orleans, Louisiana
metropolitan area. The survey assessed patients’ perception of
community pharmacists and their roles in the provision of healthcare, as
well as willingness to participate in commonly offered pharmacist-provided
services.
RESULTS
This study included 49 participants who interacted with pharmacy
personnel to receive prescriptions regularly. Of the 49 patients surveyed,
91.8% perceived community pharmacists to be healthcare providers and
this perception significantly impacted patient willingness to participate in
medication therapy management, medication optimization, and travel
vaccination services. Other services were not significantly impacted by
perception.
CONCLUSION
A greater percentage of patients perceived community pharmacists as
healthcare providers. This affirmative perception positively impacted
patient willingness to participate in several pharmacist-provided services.
Since no comparative studies are available, further study is needed to
assess consistency of observations and assess innovative ways to highlight
pharmacists’ cognitive attributes and increase participation in
pharmacist-provided services.
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