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Construct identification and measure development for investigating pharmacist-patient relationships
Marcia M Worley-Louis1, Jon C Schommer, John R Finnegan
1Health Sciences Center, College of Pharmacy, The University of New Mexico, 2502 Marble NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131-5691, USA. mworley@salud.unm.edu
Patient Education and Counseling
|November 25, 2003
Summary
Older adults value pharmacist participation and patient-centered relationships for better medication management. These factors strongly influence perceived relationship quality and self-efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Pharmacy Practice
- Health Psychology
Background:
- Understanding the dynamics of pharmacist-patient relationships is crucial for improving medication adherence and health outcomes in older adults.
- Previous research has not fully explored the specific constructs that define a high-quality pharmacist-patient relationship from the older adult's perspective.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key constructs in older adults' perceptions of pharmacist-patient relationships.
- To develop and utilize measures for these constructs.
- To explore associations between these constructs and relationship quality, medication management self-efficacy, and outcome expectations.
Main Methods:
- A mailed survey was administered to a systematic random sample of 500 non-institutionalized US adults aged 65 years and older on prescription medication.
- A usable response rate of 66.5% (330/496) was achieved.
- Statistical analyses were performed to explore associations between perceived relationship constructs and outcomes.
Main Results:
- Perceptions of pharmacist participation and a patient-centered relationship were most strongly associated with overall pharmacist-patient relationship quality.
- Relationship quality was more strongly associated with medication outcome expectations and self-efficacy than with pharmacist/patient participation or communication.
- Medication knowledge was moderately associated with self-efficacy for medication management.
Conclusions:
- Pharmacist participation and patient-centeredness are key drivers of perceived quality in pharmacist-patient relationships among older adults.
- Enhancing relationship quality may positively impact older adults' confidence and expectations regarding their medication management.
- Findings offer valuable insights for optimizing pharmacy practice to better serve the older adult population.