scholarly journals “What counts can’t always be measured”: a qualitative exploration of general practitioners’ conceptualisation of quality for community pharmacy services

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Watson ◽  
K. Silver ◽  
R. Watkins
Keyword(s):  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Community Pharmacy Services ◽  
List Type ◽  
Pharmacy Services ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Health Service Provision ◽  
Outcome Framework ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Qualitative Exploration

Abstract Background The expansion of community pharmacy services is one solution to relieve pressure on general practice in the United Kingdom (UK). There is a paucity of research of general practitioners’ (GPs’) perspectives of quality of care in the community pharmacy sector. The purpose of this study was to explore GPs’: Conceptualisation of quality for community pharmacy services, including the management of acute (low acuity) conditions and defining indispensable aspects of the patient experience (‘always events’) Opinions regarding whether and how to measure quality in the community pharmacy sector Method Semi-structured interviews were conducted with GPs in the UK. GPs were recruited using the snowballing technique and professional networks. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using an interpretive approach. Results Interviews were completed with 20 GPs from Scotland (n = 8) and England (n = 12). Multidimensional and inter-related concepts of quality were identified; most dimensions related to patient benefit, as well as impact on GP workload or other health service provision. Interviewees cautioned that “what counts can’t always be measured”. GPs’ expectations of quality often mirrored those of their own sector, but were ambivalent about the adoption of a quality outcome framework-type approach. Pharmacist involvement was expected to ensure quality in the management of ‘acute consultations’, however, GPs lacked awareness of community pharmacy personnel type, roles and training. Interviewees’ perceptions of quality varied by pharmacy type; independent pharmacies were sometimes associated with higher quality service delivery than larger chain organisations. Conclusions Quality frameworks for community pharmacy services could be partly informed by GP experience and expectations, but need to be contextual to reflect differences between both settings. The importance of person-centred care, consistency and continuity was emphasised together with the need for competent personnel and privacy of interactions.

scholarly journals Provision of community pharmacy services during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Estonia – experiences and future implications

2022 ◽  
Vol 131 ◽  
pp. 02005
Author(s):  
Kristiina Sepp ◽  
Kadi Lubi ◽  
Hedvig Rass ◽  
Daisy Volmer
Keyword(s):  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Emergency Situation ◽  
Community Pharmacy Services ◽  
Shared Responsibility ◽  
Pharmacy Services ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Textual Content

The spread of COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 had significant impact on the functioning of the existing healthcare system and required fast adaption to new circumstances for continuing with daily practices. Community pharmacists shared responsibility of ensuring supply of medicines and medical devices, educating people on health related issues, providing pharmaceutical care etc. The aim of this study was to understand how the provision of community pharmacy services changed during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic in spring of 2020 in Estonia. Qualitative in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted. Recorded interviews with community pharmacists (n = 21) and experts (n =10) were transcribed verbatim and a systematic text condensation method for textual content analysis was performed. The findings indicated that a number of changes took place in provision of community pharmacy services to assure continuity in providing high-quality pharmacy services in crisis, including addressing difficulties in the supply of medicines; at the same time, to acquire new knowledge for counselling health related topics and personal protective equipment, and to provide psychological support to people in stress. Pandemic had an impact on the content and structure of traditional community pharmacy services in Estonia. The need for expanded professional role of pharmacists was clearly expressed in an emergency situation.

scholarly journals How does the public conceptualise the quality of care and its measurement in community pharmacies in the UK: a qualitative interview study

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. e027198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret C Watson ◽  
Karin Silver ◽  
Ross Watkins
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Community Pharmacy Services ◽  
Pharmacy Services ◽  
The Public ◽  
Quality Ratings ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
The Uk

ObjectivesThis 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.DesignSemistructured interviews and focus groups were conducted and were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed systematically using an interpretive approach.ParticipantsMembers of the public were approached via networks, such as Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland, as well as community groups and personal networks.SettingScotland, England and Wales.ResultsData 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.ConclusionsThe 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.

scholarly journals An exploration of the attitudes and views of general practitioners on the use of video consultations in a primary healthcare setting: a qualitative pilot study

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ratan S. Randhawa ◽  
Joht S. Chandan ◽  
Tom Thomas ◽  
Surinder Singh
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Healthcare Setting ◽  
List Type ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Telephone Consultation ◽  
Video Consultation ◽  
Mixed Feelings ◽  
The Government

AbstractBackgroundIn 2014, in the United Kingdom, the government made a commitment to spend £3.6 million on the introduction of Skype video calling consultations in general practice, however the efficacy of such technology has not yet been explored fully.AimThe study aimed to explore the views and attitudes of General Practitioners (GPs) towards video consultation in primary care; specifically, in three broad areas∙The benefits of video consultations to patients and healthcare professionals.∙Potential problems with video consultation and its implementation.∙The cost-effectiveness of video consultation in this setting.MethodA convenience sample of the views of 12 general practitioners across two primary care centres in North London were identified using topic guide based semi-structured interviews. A thematic framework approach was used to analyse the data collected to isolate main and sub-themes.FindingsThree main themes were identified1.Technology – GPs expressed concerns about the ability of patients to use technology, the availability of technology and the quality of technology available.2.Utility – encompassing GP’s ideas about the usefulness of video consultations to patients, practitioners and the doctor–patient relationship. GPs presented mixed views on the extent to which video consultation would be useful.3.Practicality – covering the views of GPs on implementation and effects on workload. GPs unanimously felt that it was not a practical substitute for face-to-face consultation. There were mixed feelings about it being used as an alternative to telephone consultation.ConclusionGPs did see potential benefits to using video consultations but also expressed concerns that need to be addressed if they are to have full confidence in the system. The views of those who are going to use video consultation as a means of increasing patient access are paramount if such tools are to be a core part of primary care.

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