The role of a pharmacist in a hospice: a nationwide survey among hospice directors, pharmacists and physicians

Abstract

BackgroundPalliative care requires the collaborative efforts of an interdisciplinary team, and as such a range of health professionals should be involved in supporting patients with life-threatening diseases. As a part of this therapeutic network, pharmacists at residential hospices should be thoroughly involved in care, cooperate with other medical staff and perform pharmaceutical services in order to deliver safe and efficient pharmacotherapy.AimTo provide an overview of the current state of pharmacy practice at Polish residential hospices.MethodsA cross-sectional study was applied and three types of anonymous questionnaires were developed to collect data. Hospice directors, pharmacists and physicians from all residential hospices in Poland were invited to participate.Results19 (61%) hospices collaborate with at least one pharmacist, who performs pharmaceutical services on the premises. 12 (75%) pharmacists provide advice concerning medicines and 11 (69%) are involved in various roles related to procurement, dispensing and storage of drugs, as well as creating procedures for these activities. Despite pharmacists’ great level of involvement in drug policy, most of them are not members of the therapeutic team and they do not participate in ward rounds. Furthermore, the provision of clinical pharmaceutical services forms a minority of Polish hospital pharmacy practice.ConclusionsAlthough the role of a hospice-based pharmacist is focused on the provision of drugs, it should become more clinical, that is, more patient oriented. The data obtained should be used as a source of information for implementing potential changes to palliative care pharmacy.

Pharmacists’ Preparedness to Patients Education at the Time of Pandemic—A Cross-Sectional Study with an Example of SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak in Poland

“…Meanwhile, although Polish patients still connect pharmacists mostly with selling medicaments [ 16 ], there are reports indicating patients’ positive attitudes and expectations for pharmacists’ advice or information on drugs, smoking cessation, and minor or chronic health conditions, including their screening and prevention [ 17 , 18 ]. The majority of Polish pharmacists also express positive attitudes and readiness to expand the scope of their practice [ 19 , 20 ]. However, at the same time, they seem to have an unclear idea of their educatory role [ 19 ].…”

“…The majority of Polish pharmacists also express positive attitudes and readiness to expand the scope of their practice [ 19 , 20 ]. However, at the same time, they seem to have an unclear idea of their educatory role [ 19 ]. Moreover, the extent to which such services are actually provided remains unsatisfactory in the opinion of the majority of Polish patients [ 16 ].…”

Pharmacists in the system of pediatric palliative care: international practice and prospects in Russia

“…Анализ данных литературы показал, что в Австралии, Канаде, Соединенных Штатах Америки и странах Европейского союза фармацевтическое обслуживание пациентов осуществляется преимущественно клиническими провизорами, которые принимают активное участие во врачебных обходах и наблюдении пациентов. Специалисты данного профиля осуществляют контроль побочных эффектов и лекарственных взаимодействий, консультируют пациентов и лиц, осуществляющих уход за ними на дому, по вопросам безопасного применения и утилизации лекарственных препаратов, проводят оценку фармакотерапии по показателям безопасности, клинической и клинико-экономической эффективности, а также ведут медицинскую документацию [3][4][5][6][7][8].…”

Understanding the role of hospice pharmacists: a qualitative study

“…In Canada and Australia however, pharmacists conduct medication review within the hospice and Canadian pharmacists routinely provide patient consultations focused on pain and symptom management [18]. In Canada, multidisciplinary team (MDT) working was common in the form of ward rounds and team meetings but less so in Australia and England with MDT working rare in Poland [6,[17][18][19]. All surveys where pharmacists were working in hospices, showed provision of information for the rest of the MDT was a common duty and administrative duties such as medicine sourcing and supply were common in the UK and Poland although less commonplace in Canada and Australia [6,17,18].…”

“…A number of surveys have indicated levels of hospice provision around the world but the HP role is yet to be explored [6,[17][18][19]. American guidelines on the essential and desirable activities of hospice pharmacists were published in 2016 but it is unclear whether these have been adopted into practice locally or worldwide [20].…”