Pharmacotherapy Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
Abstract
Purpose: To investigate physicians’ and pharmacists’
experience and expectations of the roles of pharmacists in hospital
setting in Macau for the development of physician-pharmacist
collaborative working relationship (CWR). Methods: A survey was
conducted to address the research questions. The study population
included the physicians and pharmacists working in hospitals in Macau.
A self-administered survey was designed correspondingly to physicians
and pharmacists with same series of questions, which composed of 4
parts: demographics, collaboration status, roles of pharmacist based on
experience, and roles of pharmacist based on expectations. Results:
Sixty six out of the 120 physician surveys and 18 out of the 30
pharmacist surveys were returned, giving a response rate of 55.00% and
60.00% respectively. 33.33% of physicians and 77.8% of pharmacists
claimed they collaborated with the other professional at least once a
week. The main reason for collaboration was prescription order queries.
Both professionals indicated that “medication dispensing”
and “identification and prevention of prescription errors”
were currently the top responsibilities of pharmacists. It was
anticipated by the physicians that pharmacists would remain focused on
“medication dispensing” but should put in more effort.
Pharmacists, on the other hand, would like to develop their role in
direct patient care such as “patient counseling”.
Conclusion: There were discrepancies in physicians’ and
pharmacists’ expectations of the roles of pharmacists. The 6 most
important responsibilities of pharmacists were determined in
consultation with physicians’ opinions. Capacity building of
pharmacists, communication between the two professionals and
administrative co-ordinations were considered important elements in
developing CWR
