Abstract
Objectives
This study explored citizens’ perspectives about the quality of community pharmacy services in the UK and whether and how the quality of community pharmacy services should be measured.
Design
Semistructured interviews and focus groups were conducted and were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed systematically using an interpretive approach.
Participants
Members of the public were approached via networks, such as Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland, as well as community groups and personal networks.
Setting
Scotland, England and Wales.
Results
Data were collected from 20 participants: 11 interviews and 2 focus groups (in community settings, with five and four participants). Quality was conceptualised as multidimensional with inter-related overarching themes of person-centredness, professionalism and privacy. The importance of relational aspects with pharmacy personnel was emphasised including the need for a ‘friendly’ caring service, continuity of care, being known to personnel, including their awareness of individual’s health conditions: ‘it’s quite a personal service I would say…I think it means that they care about your welfare’. Participants discussed the importance of a professional approach to customer interactions including staff behaviour and appearance. Pharmacy design influenced perceptions of privacy, including having sufficient space or a separate consultation room to promote confidential consultations with a pharmacist. Participants suggested that quality assurance is needed to improve quality and to inspire confidence in the public ‘it would drive up quality standards overall’ but suggested that quality ratings were unlikely to influence their use of specific pharmacies. They emphasised the need for multidimensional quality ratings and for transparency with their derivation.
Conclusions
The public conceptualises quality of community pharmacy services as multidimensional and value relational aspects of care provided by personnel in this setting. While the development and application of quality indicators may drive improvement, it seems unlikely to influence the public’s use of individual pharmacies.
This study explored citizens’ perspectives about the quality of community pharmacy services in the UK and whether and how the quality of community pharmacy services should be measured.
Design
Semistructured interviews and focus groups were conducted and were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed systematically using an interpretive approach.
Participants
Members of the public were approached via networks, such as Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland, as well as community groups and personal networks.
Setting
Scotland, England and Wales.
Results
Data were collected from 20 participants: 11 interviews and 2 focus groups (in community settings, with five and four participants). Quality was conceptualised as multidimensional with inter-related overarching themes of person-centredness, professionalism and privacy. The importance of relational aspects with pharmacy personnel was emphasised including the need for a ‘friendly’ caring service, continuity of care, being known to personnel, including their awareness of individual’s health conditions: ‘it’s quite a personal service I would say…I think it means that they care about your welfare’. Participants discussed the importance of a professional approach to customer interactions including staff behaviour and appearance. Pharmacy design influenced perceptions of privacy, including having sufficient space or a separate consultation room to promote confidential consultations with a pharmacist. Participants suggested that quality assurance is needed to improve quality and to inspire confidence in the public ‘it would drive up quality standards overall’ but suggested that quality ratings were unlikely to influence their use of specific pharmacies. They emphasised the need for multidimensional quality ratings and for transparency with their derivation.
Conclusions
The public conceptualises quality of community pharmacy services as multidimensional and value relational aspects of care provided by personnel in this setting. While the development and application of quality indicators may drive improvement, it seems unlikely to influence the public’s use of individual pharmacies.
Original language | English |
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Article number | e027198 |
Pages (from-to) | 1-7 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | BMJ Open |
Volume | 9 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 30 Mar 2019 |
Bibliographical note
© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2019. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.Keywords
- Organisation Of Health Services
- Public Health
- Qualitative Research
- Quality In Health Care
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine