Shifting pharmacist medication counselling from directive monologue to collaborative dialogue using the CONNECT-6...

Existing medication counselling frameworks often compartmentalize communication, behavioural science, and pharmacy practice as distinct domains, limiting their real-world effectiveness. This study aimed to develop and validate a structured, theory-informed medication counselling framework that operationalizes Motivational Interviewing principles together with complementary behavioural models.

A mixed-methods validation study was conducted with 27 pharmacists from hospitals and health clinics in Selangor, Malaysia. Participants completed pre- and post-intervention self-assessment surveys and structured roleplay evaluations following a 60-min training on CONNECT-6. Performance was assessed using validated checklists measuring motivational interviewing principles and patient-centred counselling behaviours. A qualitative hot wash session captured experiential feedback.

Significant improvements were observed across all competency domains. Mean total roleplay scores increased from 9.71 (SD = 3.75) to 17.00 (SD = 4.90) post-intervention (p = 0.002). Self-assessed understanding and confidence improved significantly across all 13 survey items (p ≤ 0.003), with largest gains in assessing patient motivation, collaborative education techniques, and uncovering non-adherence reasons. Thematic analysis revealed a shift from directive monologue to collaborative dialogue and deepened therapeutic connections, though concerns regarding time constraints and practical implementation emerged.

CONNECT-6 demonstrates significant effectiveness in enhancing pharmacist competency and patient-centred communication skills. By integrating behavioural science theory with practical application, this framework addresses critical gaps in medication counselling practice and shows promise for broader implementation across diverse healthcare settings.