Exploring stages of pharmacist-physician collaboration using the model of collaborative working relationship

To compare factors affecting pharmacist-physician collaboration across three groups of study participants with increasing collaboration using the model of collaborative working relationship (CWR).

A random sample of 750 Iowa pharmacists were surveyed. The measures for CWR constructs used 5- and 7-point scales. Descriptive statistics of exchange characteristics such as relationship initiation, trustworthiness, and role specification were calculated for each tertile group. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc ANOVAs were used to compare exchange characteristics across groups. In addition, for each tertile group, a linear regression was conducted in which collaborative care was regressed over relationship initiation, trustworthiness, role specification, professional interaction, practice setting, and physician specialty.

The usable survey response rate was 33% (n = 239). Exchange characteristics increased from the first tertile group to the third tertile group. The regression model of CWR explained variation in collaborative care for each tertile group (range 23-76%). Trustworthiness and role specification were key factors affecting collaborative care. Role specification had a strong effect on collaborative care for the first tertile group. Internal medicine as a physician specialty was a significant predictor for collaborative care for the third tertile group.

The impact of predictors on collaborative care differed across three groups according to the tertiles of collaborative care. These findings support a multistage model of CWR. In addition, future studies of CWR can add other predictors for collaborative care.