Public Opinion of Pharmacists and Pharmacist Prescribing

Abstract

Background:Pharmacists generally enjoy a high ranking when members of the general public are asked to rate the most trusted professions. While it is a good thing that the pharmacy profession appears to be trustworthy, it is not clear whether the public fully appreciates what pharmacists can do. Methods: A telephone survey in the province of Saskatchewan was conducted between February 25 and March 2, 2010. The questionnaire consisted of 43 items. Results: A total of 1283 people were contacted; 403 (31.4%) agreed to participate. A majority of respondents were female (253, 62.8%). Twothirds (262, 65%) felt they were a "customer" when visiting a pharmacy; only 14.9% (60) felt they were a "patient." There was some limited 86C P J / R P C • M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 1 1 • V O L 1 4 4 , N O 2

Patient attitudes regarding the role of the pharmacist and interest in expanded pharmacist services

“…One study from Saskatchewan examined this issue in more depth 21 and found that, depending on the scenario and type of medication, support for pharmacists renewing prescriptions ranged from 67.8% in the case of someone taking medication for a serious, long-term condition, to 78.9% in an emergency situation, such as someone running out of a chronic medication or forgetting it at home. There was less support for pharmacists initiating new prescriptions for a newly diagnosed medical condition or altering prescriptions initially prescribed by a physician.…”

Patients' opinion of pharmacists and their roles in health care system in Pakistan

“…9 After making necessary amendments, the questionnaire was validated in 2 steps. In first step, the questionnaire was sent to researchers and professionals of pharmacy colleges in Karachi and was asked to give their expert opinion on the questions with respect to their relativity, simplicity and importance.…”

“…An obstacle to expand professional services by pharmacists may occur in some cases, when patients underestimate the critical functions of pharmacists. 9 In community pharmacies, pharmaciste patient communication study has shown that it occurs as a one way communication as patients do not participate by querying pharmacist. 10 People may not always identify how pharmacists work or understand the part they play in assuring safe medication use.…”

Self-denigration in pharmacy

“…This retail environment means that patients do not always see themselves that way, with as many as two-thirds of patients viewing themselves as customers. [6][7][8] Perhaps the profession would be best served by professional and advocacy organizations arming individual pharmacists with the tools and resources to advocate for better recognition of what pharmacists are and can do, highlighting the true value of pharmacists. There are examples of pharmacists going to politicians and providing professional services to inform them of the role pharmacists play and the value of pharmacists 9,10 and of organizations that provide grassroots advocacy resources for pharmacists, turning them into frontline advocates.…”