Ayisha Siddiqua1, Waheed Kareem Abdul2, Shatha Ayan1, Lamis Al Azm1, Sara Ali1. 1. College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University of Science & Technology, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. 2. Institute of Management Technology, Dubai International Academic City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To empirically identify the antecedents that influence patients trust in pharmacists. METHODS: A survey was conducted among 500 patients who visited community pharmacies in Al Ain City, United Arab Emirates. The questionnaire included the measures for constructs such as patients' perception of pharmacist communication, pharmacists' technical competence, medication self-efficacy, satisfaction with pharmacy and trust in pharmacists. KEY FINDINGS: The data were analysed using partial least-squares structural equation modelling approach to check the validity and reliability of the measures and to validate the proposed hypotheses of the study. Pharmacist communication, pharmacists' technical competence, satisfaction with pharmacy and patients' medication self-efficacy were found to significantly influence patients' trust in pharmacists. CONCLUSION: This study is the first one that has empirically identified the antecedents of trust in pharmacists. The study has established that patients' perception of pharmacist communication and pharmacists' technical competence positively influence trust in pharmacists as antecedents but not constitute trust itself as had been found in the previous research. Apart from enhancing pharmacists' technical competence and communication, the pharmacy organizations and policymakers should improve patients' satisfaction with pharmacy and patients' medication self-efficacy to enhance patients' trust in pharmacists.
OBJECTIVES: To empirically identify the antecedents that influence patients trust in pharmacists. METHODS: A survey was conducted among 500 patients who visited community pharmacies in Al Ain City, United Arab Emirates. The questionnaire included the measures for constructs such as patients' perception of pharmacist communication, pharmacists' technical competence, medication self-efficacy, satisfaction with pharmacy and trust in pharmacists. KEY FINDINGS: The data were analysed using partial least-squares structural equation modelling approach to check the validity and reliability of the measures and to validate the proposed hypotheses of the study. Pharmacist communication, pharmacists' technical competence, satisfaction with pharmacy and patients' medication self-efficacy were found to significantly influence patients' trust in pharmacists. CONCLUSION: This study is the first one that has empirically identified the antecedents of trust in pharmacists. The study has established that patients' perception of pharmacist communication and pharmacists' technical competence positively influence trust in pharmacists as antecedents but not constitute trust itself as had been found in the previous research. Apart from enhancing pharmacists' technical competence and communication, the pharmacy organizations and policymakers should improve patients' satisfaction with pharmacy and patients' medication self-efficacy to enhance patients' trust in pharmacists.
Authors: Jane M Fletcher; Terry Saunders-Smith; Braden J Manns; Ross Tsuyuki; Brenda R Hemmelgarn; Marcello Tonelli; David J T Campbell Journal: BMC Med Res Methodol Date: 2020-10-31 Impact factor: 4.615