Abstract

PHYSICIANS' PERCEPTION ABOUT THE ROLE OF CLINICAL PHARMACISTS AND POTENTIAL BARRIERS TO CLINICAL PHARMACY

Asma Abdelaal Abdalla*, Ghufran Mohamed Elhafiz Adwi, Alya F Al-Mahdi

ABSTRACT

Objective: To assess the perception of physicians about clinical pharmacist's (CPs) role and the barriers to contribution of clinical pharmacy activities. Methods: A descriptive institutional-based study was carried on 27 public and one university hospitals where clinical pharmacy service is provided. A sample of 440 doctors, including consultants, registrars, medical and house officers were interviewed using structured questionnaire. Results: Of the doctors interviewed, 288 (65.5%) were females while 152 (34.5%) were males. The majority of the registrars104 (68.4%) were females while 48 (31.6%) were males. Of the total participants 406 (92.3%) believed that the pharmacist would add value to the clinical team, However, no significant difference between the four job categories was seen (P>0.05). A total of 419 (95.2%) of the doctors agreed that the pharmacist drug counseling would add value to the clinical team. A total of 430 (97.7%) doctors agreed that the time constraint is the main barrier. The weighted mean calculated to compile the doctors' perception of barriers showed that a total of 265 (60.2%) agreed that pharmacists facing barriers. Of our doctors 73.5 % ( n=294) were exposed to CPs in five sites. Rounds were the main exposure site. The doctors' job (position) showed a significant difference regarding their exposure to clinical pharmacists at the time of drug formulation and monitoring as well as the round time (P<0.05). Conclusion: Medical doctors agreed that CPs would add value to the clinical team and they were facing barriers. The main exposure site between doctors and CPs were the clinical rounds.

Keywords: Physicians' perception, Clinical pharmacists' role, Barriers.