Descriptive analysis of pharmacy services provided after community pharmacy screening

The influence of hospital services on patient satisfaction in OPDs: evidence from the transition to a digital system in South Punjab, Pakistan

BACKGROUND

Pakistani's health services delivery system has been rarely evaluated regarding patient satisfaction. This study examined the performance of the Pakistani health system from the perspective of doctor services (DS), digital payment system (DPS), nurses' services (NS), laboratory services (LS), pharmacy services (PHS), registration services (RS), physical services (environmentally and tangible) and doctor-patient communication (DPC) about patient satisfaction. A random sampling technique was adopted for data collection.

METHODOLOGY

The Social Science Statistical Package (SPSS), analysis of moment structures (AMOS), and structural equation modeling were used to analyze the data for reliability, validity, correlations, and descriptive findings. The 879 responses were used for study analysis.

RESULTS

The study revealed that patient satisfaction was found to be significantly affected positively by LS, PHS, DS, NS, and DPS, while DPC, RS, and PF were impacted non-significantly. Consequently, there is a considerable communication gap in the doctor-patient interaction, and Pakistan's healthcare system is confronted with a shortage of physical infrastructure and challenges in the digital system.

CONCLUSION

Furthermore, the insufficient emphasis on registration services necessitates immediate action to improve the entire patient experience and satisfaction. Identifying these shortcomings has the potential to result in a healthcare system that is more efficient and focused on the needs of the patients.

Medication reviews in community pharmacy: a scoping review of policy, practice and research in Canada

Objectives

This scoping review aims to systematically map the empirical evidence on publicly funded medication reviews provided by community pharmacists in Canada and identify gaps that could inform future research directions.

Methods

We used a scoping review framework and PRISMA guidelines for Scoping Reviews to conduct the study. Three electronic databases were searched for papers published between January 2000 until August 2020. Data was charted on study characteristics, and a thematic synthesis was performed.

Key findings

Of 41 original studies included, most were conducted in Ontario (n = 21). Majority of the studies employed quantitative designs (70%). Five major themes identified were program uptake, patient health outcomes, stakeholder beliefs and attitudes, processes and collaboration and pharmacy workplace culture, which varied considerably. At the individual, organizational and policy levels, many factors were interrelated and influenced the implementation of reimbursed medication reviews by community pharmacists. Gaps in eligibility policy highlighted some patients who may have complex needs are excluded. Variation in clinical outcomes may relate to different types of medication review and pharmacist practice across Canada. Few researchers evaluated eligibility criteria, the impact of policy changes, strategies to engage patients and healthcare professionals, patient–pharmacist communication or compared practice models of medication reviews. About 12% of the research applied a theoretical framework.

Summary

Publicly funded medication reviews in Canadian community pharmacies reduce medication-related problems and potentially improve patient health outcomes. Future research and policies could consider addressing barriers and exploring models for sustainable delivery of high-quality medication reviews internationally.

"Clearly they are in the circle of care, but . . .": A qualitative study exploring perceptions of personal health information sharing with community pharmacists in an integrated care model

Background

Ontario's Health Links approach to care is an integrated care model designed to optimize care for patients with complex needs. Currently, community pharmacists have no formalized role. This study aimed to explore stakeholders' perceptions about privacy and its impact on community pharmacists' involvement with integrated care models.

Methods

A qualitative study using semistructured telephone-based interviews was conducted. Participants worked in Ontario as pharmacists, providers in Health Links or team-based models or decision-makers in Health Links or health regions. Thematic analysis followed the Qualitative Analysis Guide of Leuven.

Results

Twenty-two participants were interviewed, and all but one commented on privacy or information sharing in integrating community pharmacists with integrated care models. The 4 themes identified were as follows: 1) what does the circle of care look like? 2) value of sharing information, 3) uncertainty of what information to share and 4) perceptions on how to share information.

Interpretation

The concerns surrounding privacy of personal health information and who is included in the circle of care represented an important barrier for integration. Enablers to mitigate privacy concerns included relationship building between community pharmacists, patients and other health care professionals and mutual access to information-sharing platforms such as electronic health records.

Conclusion

Providers' and decision-makers' perceptions about community pharmacists and privacy affect information sharing and are incongruent with Ontario's Personal Health Information Protection Act. Education is needed for health care professionals on legislation, especially as health systems move towards integrated care models to improve care. Can Pharm J (Ott) 2020;153:xx-xx.