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Patient perspectives on the vital primary care role of community pharmacists in Nova Scotia, Canada: qualitative findings from the PUPPY Study.
- Source :
-
The International journal of pharmacy practice [Int J Pharm Pract] 2024 May 07; Vol. 32 (3), pp. 216-222. - Publication Year :
- 2024
-
Abstract
- Objectives: Community pharmacists play an important role in primary care access and delivery for all patients, including patients with a family physician or nurse practitioner ("attached") and patients without a family physician or nurse practitioner ("unattached"). During the COVID-19 pandemic, community pharmacists were accessible care providers for unattached patients and patients who had difficulty accessing their usual primary care providers ("semi-attached"). Before and during the pandemic, pharmacist services expanded in several Canadian provinces. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore patient experiences receiving care from community pharmacists, and their perspectives on the scope of practice of community pharmacists.<br />Methods: Fifteen patients in Nova Scotia, Canada, were interviewed. Participant narratives pertaining to pharmacist care were analyzed thematically.<br />Key Findings: Attached, "semi-attached," and unattached patients valued community pharmacists as a cornerstone of care and sought pharmacists for a variety of health services, including triaging and system navigation. Patients spoke positively about expanding the scope of practice for community pharmacists, and better optimization of pharmacists in primary care.<br />Conclusions: System decision-makers should consider the positive role community pharmacists can play in achieving primary care across the Quintuple Aim (population health, patient and provider experiences, reducing costs, and supporting equity in health).<br /> (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.)
- Subjects :
- Humans
Nova Scotia
Male
Female
Middle Aged
Aged
Adult
COVID-19 epidemiology
Health Services Accessibility
Primary Health Care organization & administration
Professional Role
Pharmacists organization & administration
Community Pharmacy Services organization & administration
Qualitative Research
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 2042-7174
- Volume :
- 32
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- The International journal of pharmacy practice
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 38484181
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1093/ijpp/riae008