Patients' preferences for an increased pharmacist role in the management of drug therapy

Abstract

Patients value input from their pharmacists, but are resistant to change and prefer their current situation. However, younger people are more willing to trade between alternatives, and preferred the innovative combined prescribing-and-dispensing service. Changes in the pharmaceutical service could be supported by the public. The Discrete Choice Experiment approach is considered a useful tool for evaluating preferences for alternative pharmacy services.

Preferences for the delivery of community pharmacy services to help manage chronic conditions

“…15 Recognition that pharmacy services could alleviate unmet health needs of young New Zealanders 23 has been accompanied by calls that new services are youth-friendly and developed in consultation with young people. 51 Although this population does not currently constitute the bulk of those with chronic conditions in most countries, they do represent a group with preventative potential.…”

“…Previous research has shown consumer preferences to support pharmacist repeat prescribing in Scotland, 15 and pharmacist independent prescribing in England. 16 Our findings provide considerable consumer and carer support for the provision of continued supply of regular and flare up medicines that have been previously prescribed by a medical practitioner in Australia.…”

“…14 The few studies that have examined consumer preferences have reported some support for extended pharmacy roles, such as prescribing in England and Scotland, where pharmacist prescribing is now comparatively well established. 15,16 One…”

“…A strong tendency to favour the status quo in healthcare choices has been previously acknowledged, 58 and our findings are consistent with previous studies indicating a large group of loyal consumers. 15,59 However, previous studies have seldom explored the reason for this loyalty. Our findings show that high quality, convenient, person-centred pharmacy services that are responsive to consumer and carer medicine needs are fundamental requirements for most consumers.…”

Pastoral power in the community pharmacy: A Foucauldian analysis of services to promote patient adherence to new medicine use

“…21 back to their GP (Tinelli et al, 2009). Despite pharmacists' extended opportunities to survey patient behaviours, GPs retain socio-legal authority for prescribing.…”