Role Theory: A Framework to Explore Health Professional Perceptions of Expanding Rural Community Pharmacists’ Role

Abstract

Pharmaceutical care is a concept which has moved the pharmacy profession from their primary focus on the product to optimising drug therapy for the individual patient. Expanded pharmacy practice beyond pharmaceutical care will further challenge the role perceptions that other health professionals have about pharmacists. Role theory as a philosophical perspective was used to explore rural and remote health professionals’ beliefs on pharmacists expanding their clinical role by conducting twenty-three semi-structured interviews. Five role theory categories described the data, role ambiguity, role conflict, role overload, role identity and role insufficiency. The health professionals interviewed were found to be uncertain about the boundaries between the traditional roles of the pharmacist compared to that of the expanded roles. A perceived lack of accountability by pharmacists was seen as a major contributor to role conflict, which in turn was found to impact the ability of pharmacists and other health professionals to work collaboratively. Perspectives of other health professionals on pharmacists adopting expanded practice models has highlighted significant concerns with role conflict and role identity. Acknowledging and developing clear strategies to address these concerns is essential to ensure that expanded pharmacy practice can be effectively integrated to improve access to health services and thus health outcomes for rural Australians.

Developing an Ear Health Intervention for Rural Community Pharmacy: Application of the PRECEDE-PROCEED Model

“…The importance of ensuring that pharmacists providing professional services are well trained to do so has been identified by pharmacists themselves who described concern about their skills for expanded services [ 20 ]. This was also the opinion of other health professionals who were largely supportive of pharmacists providing expanded services as long as adequate training has been provided [ 17 , 18 , 21 ].…”

“…Scoping and systematic reviews and studies including both qualitative and quantitative methods, involving community consultation with the public and health professionals, who work in rural and remote locations in Australia were undertaken in this component of the application [ 8 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ], Table 1 provides the components of the PRECEDE-PROCEED model in the context of LISTEN UP.…”

“…Expanded pharmacy services were ranked by participants, the level of support for expanded pharmacy services was explored and consumers’ willingness to pay for services examined [ 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Interviews were conducted with pharmacists and stakeholders to further explore perceptions, and barriers and enablers to expanded pharmacy services, specifically relating to ear services [ 20 , 21 ].…”

“…A descriptive analysis of questionnaire data, a thematic analysis of interview transcripts and a review of consultation data were undertaken [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ].…”

Expanded Pharmacy Practice Implementation: Lessons from Remote Practice

“…Rural community pharmacists provide accessible healthcare including medication supply, stewardship and safety and are often the first point of call for health advice for seven million rural and remote Australians [ 1 , 2 ]. They are dedicated health professionals who provide pharmaceutical services to local communities, however, the full scope of their practice is not well utilised or understood (ref HP article) [ 3 , 4 ].…”