Opinions of Physicians and Nurses toward the Roles of Pharmacists in Primary Health Care

Abstract

                Objective: To study opinions of physicians and nurses working in primary care in hospitals under  the Office of Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Public Health during 2014 toward the roles of pharmacists in primary health care. Methods: Data were collected by mailing 1944 questionnaires to physicians and nurses working in primary care in all 876 hospitals under the Office of Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Public Health including 28 regional hospitals (4 questionnaires per hospitals), 68 general hospitals (4 questionnaires per hospitals), and 780 community hospitals (2 questionnaires per hospitals). The questionnaire consisted of items on the opinions on pharmacists’ role in drug system development in primary health care (PHC)  settings, providing continuing care for both individual and families, consumer protection and supporting independency in the aspects of herbal drugs and health. Moreover, the questionnaire also included the items on essential characteristics, knowledge and skills for PHC pharmacists. Results:  Five hundred and one questionnaires (25.77%) were completed and returned. The majority of respondents were nurses in community hospitals (n=236 or 47.10%). Most of regional hospitals (70.91%) had pharmacists devoting their working hours solely in PHC. About 55% of general hospitals had pharmacists working on PHC as a part of their work, while 60.21% of community hospitals had no pharmacists for these works. Physicians and nurses highly agreed (mean score of 4.07±0.76 out of the full sore of 5) that PHC pharmacists should play a role in drug system development. They also moderately to highly agreed with the roles on providing continuing care for both individuals and families, consumer protection and supporting independency in the aspects of herbal drugs and health (average scores of 3.45-3.54 out of the full sore of 5). Those in regional hospitals gave more emphasis on the function of drug system development among pharmacists than those in general and community hospitals did (p=0.043). Physicians reported a higher level of agreement on pharmacists’ roles on providing continuing care and supporting independency in the aspects of herbal drugs and health (p=0.007 and 0.009, respectively). Essential characteristics, knowledge and skills of PHC pharmacist was good human relationship, adaptability of oneself to social environment and others, and ability to work with health care team and others. Conclusion: Physicians and nurses perceived drug system development remained a function that pharmacists should give high priority. In addition, pharmacists should enhance knowledge and skills in working with health care team.