Factors affecting collaboration between general practitioners and community pharmacists: a qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Interprofessional Collaboration
• Primary Care Research

Background:

• General practitioners (GPs) and community pharmacists (CPs) are encouraged to collaborate, but a true collaborative relationship is often lacking.
• Identifying factors influencing GP-CP collaboration is crucial for improving healthcare delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and analyze the factors affecting collaboration between general practitioners and community pharmacists.
• To understand the dynamics of GP-CP collaboration before and during its initiation.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive-exploratory qualitative study was conducted in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, Spain.
• Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were performed with GPs and CPs.
• Colaizzi's method was used for data analysis.

Main Results:

• Factors influencing collaboration varied depending on whether it was prior to or during initiation.
• Prior to collaboration, key factors included perceived usefulness, Primary Care Health Center (PCHC) manager interest, professional attitudes, and geography/legislation.
• During collaboration, achieving objectives and PCHC management changes were crucial. Privately-managed PCHCs in Barcelona facilitated collaboration.

Conclusions:

• Economic factors, management styles, and practitioners' attitudes/perceptions are critical for initiating collaboration.
• Interventions based on these identified factors can foster multidisciplinary collaboration.
• Regional differences, particularly in PCHC management, significantly impact collaboration.