Patients' Perspectives on Pharmaceutical Care Interventions in a Secondary-Care Hospital in Nigeria: A...

Background Pharmaceutical care aims to optimize medication use and improve patient outcomes through pharmacist-led interventions. Evidence on patients' perspectives on such services remains limited in many hospital settings in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), such as Nigeria. Objective This study aims to assess patients' satisfaction with pharmacists' services, the perceived impact of pharmacist-led interventions, and patient-reported gaps in pharmaceutical care service delivery in a secondary-care hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional survey using convenience sampling was conducted among adult patients with chronic conditions attending specialist outpatient clinics and obtaining medicines from the hospital pharmacy (June-July 2017). A structured, paper-based questionnaire was developed and used to assess satisfaction with pharmacy services and the perceived impact of pharmacist interventions. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and chi-square tests explored associations between patient characteristics and overall satisfaction with pharmaceutical care activities (p < 0.05). Results Of the 110 questionnaires distributed, 103 (93.6%) were complete and analyzed. Overall satisfaction with pharmacist services was reported by 86 (83.5%) respondents. Most respondents (89, 86.4%) reported that pharmacists demonstrated sufficient knowledge, and 87 (84.5%) of them reported that pharmacists helped to improve their understanding of their medical condition. Reported impacts of pharmacist interventions included support for self-management (80, 77.7%), guidance on dietary adjustments (81, 78.6%), and lifestyle modifications (69, 67.0%). Counselling on foods to avoid and medicines to avoid was reported by 84 respondents (81.6%) for each of these interventions. Fewer respondents reported receiving instruction on device use or medication administration techniques (24, 23.3%), while approximately half (52, 50.5%) indicated receiving education on clinical goals, most commonly blood pressure targets (41, 39.8%). Pharmacist counseling was perceived to prevent medication discontinuation by 44 (42.7%) respondents, and educational level (p = 0.015) and monthly income (p = 0.035) were associated with overall satisfaction. Conclusion Patients reported high satisfaction and substantial perceived educational and supportive benefits from pharmacist services; however, gaps were noted in device or medication-administration training, and education on desired clinical goals. Strengthening structured counseling and practical demonstration components may further improve pharmaceutical care delivery.