Pharmaceutical care in a community‐based practice setting in Iran: current status and future challenges. Issue 1 (March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mehralian, Gholamhossein; Rangchian, Maryam; Afsharmanesh, Gita; Seifi, Narges
• Is Part Of: Journal of pharmaceutical health services research. Volume 6:Issue 1(2015:Mar.)
• Page Start: 69
• Page End: 75
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Subjects: Pharmacy -- Research -- Periodicals; Drugs -- Research -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Research -- Periodicals; Public health -- Research -- Periodicals; Pharmaceutical industry -- Periodicals; Health Services Research -- Periodicals; Economics, Pharmaceutical -- Periodicals; 615.1072
• DOI: 10.1111/jphs.12089
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1759-8885

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="jphs12089-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objectives</title> <p>This study aimed to evaluate pharmacists' practice and attitude toward pharmaceutical care (PhC) and present barriers in Iran.</p> </sec> <sec id="jphs12089-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>A cross‐sectional descriptive study, inviting Iranian pharmacists, was conducted using a self‐administrated Likert‐based questionnaire including demographic, performance, attitude and barrier sections. Questionnaires were distributed and collected by research team. Obtained data were analyzed through descriptive analysis, factor analysis, Friedman test and <italic>χ</italic><sup>2</sup> test.</p> </sec> <sec id="jphs12089-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Key findings</title> <p>Data on opinions of 986 pharmacists' working in community pharmacies located in 22 districts of Tehran were obtained. Findings in aspect of PhC implementation showed that the frequency of the appropriate provision of PhC was less than 50% for making contact with physician and medication monitoring. Speaking about attitude, the complete agreement with 'the practicability of the implementation of PhC' and 'the existence of supportive manner among physicians towards pharmacists' role' was expressed only by 30.6 and 25.1% of respondents. Finally, according to participants concerns, the main barrier to PhC was highlighted to be 'patients reluctance in receiving pharmaceutical services'.</p> </sec> <sec id="jphs12089-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>It can be concluded that besides promotion of public awareness about PhC, improvement of pharmacists' motivation toward these services seems necessary. In addition, further research is needed to explore the causes of non‐promising relationship between pharmacists and other health professionals, which, in turn, is critical to find appropriate solutions.</p> </sec> </abstract>