PHYSICIANS' VALUATION OF INDIVIDUAL MEDICATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (IMMS) IMPLEMENTATION IN POZNAŃ (POLAND) COMMUNITY...

The reason of growing Pharmaceutical Care (PC) popularity in Poland and all over the world in recent years is connected with a new idea which separates pharmacists from a stereotype of drug store, dealing only with issuing medicines in adequate doses. There is an intention of emphasizing their qualifications and maximizing the use of them. One of the essential part of PC is preparing Individual Medication Management System (IMMS) which may provide individualized pharmacotherapy for patient. The aim of the study was to assess the physicians' opinion about implementation of IMMS in Polish community pharmacies and to evaluate physician-pharmacist cooperation. A cross sectional study was carried out from April 2013 to December 2013 by a pharmacist (authors' of the study). The survey covered 103 physicians (35.9% men and 64.1% women) providing medical services in Poznań. The respondents obtained an anonymous questionnaire with a brief information about IMMS. The results of the study confirmed that 90.3% of physicians would recommend IMMS to their patients. They believed that 72.8% of the patients would be interested in this service. According to 74.8% of doctors, especially with a specialization in cardiology, family medicine, and without specialty, IMMS might contribute to the PC development (p < 0.0001). The respondents (56.3%) confirmed their collaboration with at least 1 pharmacist and 79.6% declared the possibility of the cooperation by using IMMS. This study provides new data about implementation of IMMS in Poland. This innovatory service could be the chance both for patient and physicians to increase the safety and effectiveness of pharmacotherapy and for pharmacists who are intended to highlight their role as a part of health care system. The physicians' positive opinion provide the opportunity to implement IMMS in Polish community pharmacies.