New Zealand pharmacists' alignment with their professional body's vision for the future

To determine the alignment between New Zealand pharmacists' views and the New Zealand Ten-Year Vision (TYV) document and explore factors associated with individuals' alignment.

A postal survey of 1892 practicing pharmacists was conducted. The questionnaire included 37 attitude statements informed by analysis of 6 focus groups in which pharmacists discussed 24 statements representing 12 main vision areas. Responses are reported by proportion. Bivariate analysis compared differences in demographic characteristics and alignment with vision statements between 3 professional subgroups: community, hospital, and pharmacists working in District Health Boards or Primary Health Organizations.

Nine hundred and eighty (54.6%) analyzable surveys were returned. Respondents broadly agreed with the 12 vision areas. There was a clear patient focus and strong support for extending roles to better serve patient care. Pharmacists believe that current practice and funding models need to change and want greater involvement in setting health policy. There are significant differences in agreement and level of agreement between professional subgroups. Notably, community pharmacists are more likely to put their relationship with the patient above that with the doctor, to believe that other professions would resist role extension, to support minor ailments schemes, and to indicate a shift in funding models was necessary to support innovative pharmacy practice. There are statistically significant and potentially important demographic differences between professional subgroups, including age, sex, formal postgraduate training, and experience working in health care in other countries. Further analysis is required to understand the interplay of these factors and how this may influence alignment with the TYV document.

Pharmacists' responses indicated a high level of alignment with vision outlined in the TYV. Pharmacists appear receptive to practice and funding changes in order to facilitate greater contribution to patient care. Respondents demonstrated a clear desire to be involved in setting medicines-related health policy and feel underrepresented at this level.