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Influential characteristics of physician/pharmacist collaborative relationships
Alan J Zillich1, Randal P McDonough, Barry L Carter
1Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Pharmacal Sciences, Purdue University, Indianapolis, IN 46202-2959, USA. azillich@purdue.edu
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy
|March 20, 2004
Summary
Exchange characteristics, including relationship initiation, trustworthiness, and role specification, most significantly drive physician-pharmacist collaboration. Understanding these factors can improve professional working relationships.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Management
- Clinical Pharmacy
- Health Services Research
Background:
- A theoretical model for physician/pharmacist collaborative relationships identifies participant, context, and exchange characteristics as key drivers.
- Previous research has not identified which specific characteristics most influence the development of these collaborative relationships.
Purpose of the Study:
- To empirically test the theoretical model of physician/pharmacist collaboration.
- To determine the most influential drivers of collaboration between physicians and pharmacists.
Main Methods:
- A mailed survey was administered to 1000 primary care physicians in Iowa to collect data on relationship drivers and collaborative practice.
- Participant demographics, practice environment, professional interactions, and social exchange (using the Physician/Pharmacist Collaboration Instrument) were assessed.
- Hierarchical linear regression analysis was used to identify significant predictors of collaborative practice.
Main Results:
- A 34% response rate yielded 340 usable surveys from primary care physicians.
- Regression analysis indicated a strong model fit (R2 = 0.804, p < 0.001).
- Significant predictors of collaboration included internal medicine physicians, professional interaction with a pharmacist, and the three exchange characteristic domains (relationship initiation, trustworthiness, role specification).
Conclusions:
- Exchange characteristics emerged as the most influential drivers of physician/pharmacist collaborative relationships, surpassing participant and context factors.
- Positive associations were found between collaborative practice and relationship initiation, trustworthiness, and role specification.
- Identifying these key exchange drivers can aid pharmacists in developing effective collaborative relationships with physicians.