Assessment of pharmaceutical care needs in an ambulatory setting

The authors assessed the perceived pharmaceutical care needs of ambulatory pharmacy patients based on their demographic characteristics and desired service mix. A questionnaire was given to repeat ambulatory pharmacy patients for 30 consecutive weekdays during April and May 1992 to assess patient satisfaction with current and future services. A total of 152 surveys were completed by patients while waiting for prescriptions to be filled. Overall, responses were favorable considering the existing level of services provided by pharmacists. More than 70% of all respondents were in favor of talking with a pharmacist about their prescriptions, receiving easy to understand advice on potential problems, and having their prescriptions thoroughly explained. Current dispensing services were also viewed as highly satisfactory by a majority of respondents. However, some patients apparently need more information regarding convenience services. Such information helps establish a profile of ambulatory patients so that an optimal service mix can be provided.