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Exploring patients’ perspectives of pharmacist supplementary prescribing in Scotland

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Abstract

Aim The aim of this study was to explore patients’ perspectives and experiences of pharmacist supplementary prescribing (SP) in Scotland. Method A survey in primary and secondary care in Scotland. Pharmacist supplementary prescribers (n = 10) were purposively selected across Scotland. All pharmacists distributed questionnaires to 20 consecutive patients as they attended appointments during October to December 2006. Reminders were mailed to all 20 patients by each pharmacist 2 weeks after initial distribution. Main outcome measures The questionnaire contained items on: attitudes towards pharmacist SP derived from earlier qualitative research; consultation satisfaction derived from a validated scale developed initially for general practitioners, with the term ‘doctor’ being replaced by ‘pharmacist prescriber’; and demographics. Closed and Likert scales were used as response options. Results One pharmacist withdrew. The patient response rate was 57.2% (103/180). The median age was 67 years (interquartile range 56.5–73 years), with 53.4% being female. Most (76, 73.8%) consulted with the pharmacist in a general practice setting. Patients reported positive consultation experiences with 89.3% agreeing/strongly agreeing that they were satisfied with the consultation, 78.7% thought the pharmacist told them everything about their treatment and 72.9% felt the pharmacist was interested in them as a person. Most patients were positive in their attitudes, agreeing that they would recommend a pharmacist prescriber to others and that they had trust in the pharmacist. However, 65% would prefer to consult a doctor. Conclusion Most patient respondents were satisfied with, and had a positive attitude towards, pharmacist prescribing consultations. However, most patients would still elect to see a doctor given the choice.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge support from the participating pharmacists and their patients, and A Bowbyes (for excellent administrative support).

Funding

This research was funded by NHS Education for Scotland (Pharmacy).

Conflicts of Interest

None

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Author notes

  1. Johnson George

    Present address: Department of Pharmacy Practice, Victorian College of Pharmacy, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Pharmacy, The Robert Gordon University, Schoolhill, Aberdeen, AB10 1FR, Scotland

    Derek C. Stewart, Johnson George, I. T. Scott Cunningham, H. Lesley Diack & Dorothy J. McCaig

  2. Centre of Academic Primary Care, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2AY, Scotland

    Christine M. Bond

Authors
  1. Derek C. Stewart
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  2. Johnson George
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  3. Christine M. Bond
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  4. I. T. Scott Cunningham
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  5. H. Lesley Diack
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  6. Dorothy J. McCaig
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Derek C. Stewart.

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Stewart, D.C., George, J., Bond, C.M. et al. Exploring patients’ perspectives of pharmacist supplementary prescribing in Scotland. Pharm World Sci 30, 892–897 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-008-9248-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-008-9248-x

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