An exploratory study of community pharmacy practice change.

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Practice and Management
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Community pharmacies are evolving, necessitating changes in practice to meet contemporary healthcare demands.
• Understanding the drivers and barriers to pharmacy practice change is crucial for successful implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare resources and activities in pharmacies that have changed practice versus those that have not.
• To identify factors influencing a pharmacy's capacity to support practice change.

Main Methods:

• A multiple-case study design involving six independent community pharmacies in Iowa.
• Data collection through mail surveys and on-site personal interviews with pharmacy owners.
• Assessment of 14 criteria for pharmacy practice change and 5 types of influencing factors.

Main Results:

• Pharmacies varied in their extent of practice change, with some making significant advancements and others minimal progress.
• Subsequent changes often occurred incrementally after initial broad shifts.
• Key facilitators included enhanced resources (e.g., skilled staff, demonstration project involvement), proactive owner characteristics, and external support networks.

Conclusions:

• Facilitating pharmacy practice change requires a comprehensive approach, considering a wide range of supportive activities.
• Further research can build upon these findings to develop robust models for pharmacy practice change.
• Continued study aids pharmacists in integrating pharmaceutical care philosophy into daily practice.