Patient-centred professionalism in pharmacy: values and behaviours

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Practice
• Professionalism Studies
• Health Professions Education

Background:

• Research on patient-centred professionalism is limited in pharmacy, especially for early-career professionals.
• Existing literature often focuses on other health professions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore patient-centred professionalism in early-career pharmacists.
• To describe the reported behaviours associated with patient-centred professionalism in this group.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving 53 early-career pharmacists, tutors, and support staff in England.
• Focus group interviews and critical incident technique used to gather data.
• Exploration of patient-centred professional values and reported behaviours in community and hospital pharmacy settings.

Main Results:

• Three core constructs of patient-centred professionalism emerged: professional competence, ethical values, and effective communication.
• Data provided meaning for the concept of patient-centred professionalism in pharmacy practice.

Conclusions:

• Findings have significant implications for pharmacy practice and education, particularly concerning enhanced patient interaction.
• The study highlights the need for further investigation into patient-centred professionalism from the patient's perspective.
• Contributes empirical evidence to a vital, under-researched topic relevant to evolving UK health policy and expanded clinical roles for pharmacists.