Long-term care professionals' views on pharmacists: a qualitative study using Role Theory.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Pharmacy Practice
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Qualitative research on pharmacist involvement in Long-Term Care (LTC) interdisciplinary teams is limited.
• Understanding stakeholder perceptions of pharmacists' roles in LTC is crucial for service improvement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize healthcare professionals' and stakeholders' perceptions of pharmacists' participation in a national LTC network.
• To identify barriers and facilitators influencing the effective integration of pharmacists in LTC teams.

Main Methods:

• Conducted individual, in-depth, semi-structured interviews with nurses, physicians, pharmacists, and LTC researchers (n=14).
• Employed purposive and snowball sampling for participant recruitment.
• Analyzed data using deductive coding based on Role Theory, supplemented by inductive coding.

Main Results:

• Identified Role Theory constructs: role identity, overqualification, ambiguity, and underqualification.
• Pharmacists' interventions include clinical services, logistics, and education, but medicine optimization expertise is underused.
• Barriers include lack of time, limited team integration, absence of a legal framework, and need for additional training in geriatrics, nutrition, and palliative care.

Conclusions:

• Long-Term Care pharmacists deliver essential clinical, logistical, and educational services.
• Enhanced training and a clearer legal framework are necessary to fully define and utilize pharmacists' roles in LTC.
• Optimizing pharmacist roles can improve patient care and medication management in LTC settings.