Pharmacist roles in the Medication Use Process: Qualitative analysis of stakeholder perceptions

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Practice
• Healthcare Delivery
• Interprofessional Collaboration

Background:

• Pharmacist roles in the Medication Use Process (MUP) have advanced with new healthcare models.
• It remains unclear if stakeholder perceptions of these evolving roles have kept pace.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine patient, pharmacist, and physician perceptions of pharmacist roles within the MUP.
• To identify areas of role congruence and divergence among key stakeholders.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study utilizing Qualtrics panels for patients, pharmacists, and physicians.
• Role Theory framework informed 12-item surveys assessing perceptions across MUP stages.
• Content analysis of open-ended responses to identify recurring themes.

Main Results:

• Recurring themes included "pharmacists," "physicians," "insurance," "technology," "collaboration," "time," "communication," and "patient's responsibility."
• All stakeholders recognized pharmacists' roles in improving MUP stages, except transcribing.
• Pharmacists reported professional challenges (staffing, burnout) not perceived by patients and physicians.

Conclusions:

• Study indicates increased stakeholder awareness of pharmacists' expanded MUP roles beyond dispensing.
• Barriers like provider status and reimbursement were not reported by participants.
• Continuous advocacy and marketing are needed to inform stakeholders of pharmacists' evolving MUP contributions.