Pharmacists in general practice: what do they do? A qualitative case study

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Practice
• General Practice Pharmacy
• Healthcare Services Research

Background:

• Pharmacists in general practice are emerging roles in Europe.
• Understanding their tasks can support role implementation and healthcare contributions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the diverse tasks undertaken by pharmacists within Swedish general practices.

Main Methods:

• A case study involving 7 general practices in Uppsala County, Sweden.
• Data collection through self-reported activities, participant observation, and semi-structured interviews.
• Analysis using descriptive statistics for quantitative data and conventional content analysis for qualitative data.

Main Results:

• Eight pharmacists self-reported 174 activities, with medication reviews for older patients with polypharmacy being a primary focus.
• Pharmacists handled various drug-related queries and treatment follow-ups, noting increased efficiency and collaboration.
• Enhanced accessibility to other healthcare professionals and face-to-face patient interaction were highlighted benefits.

Conclusions:

• Pharmacists in Swedish general practice are integral in identifying, resolving, and preventing drug-related problems, particularly for elderly patients with polypharmacy.
• Future efforts should focus on task clarification, increased responsibility, and addressing the growing demand for these roles.