Perceived Benefit of Immunization-Trained Technicians in the Pharmacy Workflow

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Practice
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Community pharmacists continuously adapt workflows to enhance patient care.
• Integrating specialized roles, like immunizing technicians, can optimize pharmacy operations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore supervising pharmacists' perceptions of an immunizing pharmacy technician's role.
• To identify the benefits and challenges associated with this workflow model.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews with supervising pharmacists.
• Interviews were conducted in 2017 and 2020 to capture longitudinal perspectives.

Main Results:

• Pharmacists reported increased workflow flexibility and improved time prioritization.
• Key themes included selecting appropriate technicians, training barriers, and initial apprehension transitioning to acceptance.
• The study identified specific contributions of immunizing technicians to the pharmacy workflow.

Conclusions:

• The integration of immunizing pharmacy technicians positively impacts community pharmacy workflow.
• Addressing training needs and managing initial resistance are crucial for successful implementation.
• Further research is recommended as technician immunization expands to diverse practice settings.