General practitioners' views on community pharmacists in supporting equitable cardiovascular health outcomes for...

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally and a significant contributor to health inequities for Pacific peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand. Addressing these inequities requires a multidisciplinary approach, where community pharmacists (CPs) have the potential to play a critical role. CPs' accessibility, medication expertise, and ability to engage with underserved populations position them uniquely within the healthcare system. However, their contribution to equitable heart health outcomes remains underexplored.

The aim was to explore the experiences and views of general practitioners (GPs) on CPs' roles in supporting heart health equity for Pacific peoples and to examine how GPs currently work with CPs.

This research employed interpretive description with Pacific principles, and semi-structured interviews with GPs were conducted. Analysis was conducted using template analysis and the Lili Health Model data interpretation tool.

Nine interviews were conducted, from which five themes were generated: (1) Optimising CPs' roles beyond supporting GPs, (2) GPs and Pacific peoples' ability to engage with CPs, (3) Increasing Pacific representation and cultural responsiveness, (4) (Mis)perceptions of pharmacy, and (5) Control in a constrained healthcare system.

Interviewed GPs believed that CPs play a pivotal role in addressing heart health equity for Pacific peoples. This role could be enhanced by expanding CPs' clinical responsibilities, enhancing cultural safety, increasing the number of Pacific pharmacy staff, and addressing systemic barriers.