An exploratory study of community pharmacy practice change

(1) To compare the resources and practitioner activities in community pharmacies that have changed practice with those in pharmacies that have not changed; and (2) in pharmacies that have changed practice, to identify factors affecting a pharmacy's ability to support pharmacy practice change.

Multiple-case design, in which six pharmacies were studied in depth.

Six independent community pharmacies in Iowa.

Pharmacy owners.

A mail survey and an on-site personal interview were used to collect information about the pharmacy's practice changes and influences on the practice change process.

14 criteria of pharmacy practice change and 5 types of influences on change (environmental variables, organizational variables, owner/manager characteristics, strategy-making features, attributes of change).

Three pharmacies had made considerable change, one had made some change, and two had made little or no change. After a broad set of initial changes, subsequent changes tended to be made incrementally. A variety of factors were identified that support pharmacy practice change. Most of the factors were associated with improving resources, such as upgraded staff skills, involvement in demonstration projects, regular environmental scanning, and regular interaction with advocates for pharmacy practice change (e.g., college of pharmacy, pharmacy associations, innovative practitioners). Also, experienced owners who looked to the future and actively addressed constraints were associated with making pharmacy practice change.

Practitioners and other interested parties should consider a broad array of activities when trying to facilitate pharmacy practice change. Researchers can use these findings to develop studies that will provide stronger scientific evidence that can contribute to a model of pharmacy practice change. The continued study of pharmacy practice change can assist pharmacists working to translate a philosophy of pharmaceutical care into daily practice.