GPs' perceptions of pharmacists working in general practices: A mixed methods survey study

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Pharmacy Practice
• General Practice

Background:

• Pharmacists are increasingly integrated into healthcare teams globally, demonstrating positive impacts on patient outcomes.
• Limited research exists on general practitioners' (GPs') perceptions of practice-based pharmacists in countries where these roles are not yet established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore GPs' perceptions regarding the integration of pharmacists into general practice settings.
• To identify associations between GPs' perceptions and their demographic characteristics.

Main Methods:

• A survey was distributed to 500 GPs in Ireland's Munster region via post, social media, and an online network in June 2022.
• Quantitative data were collected using multiple-choice and Likert-scale questions, analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics.
• Qualitative data from free-text comments were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Main Results:

• 152 valid responses (24.6% postal survey response rate) were received.
• GPs generally welcomed practice-based pharmacists, expecting enhanced patient safety. High agreement (98%) existed for pharmacists providing medicine information, contrasting with lower agreement (23%) for independent prescribing.
• A significant majority (78.6%) expressed willingness to participate in a practice pharmacist pilot program.

Conclusions:

• This study offers insights into GPs' views on integrating pharmacists into general practice.
• Understanding these perceptions and associated demographics is crucial for informing future integration initiatives.