David Rhys Axon1, Rosemary Hwee Mei Lim2, Penny J Lewis3, Sarena Sandher2, Jenna Thondee2, Karen Edwards4, Rachel L Howard2. 1. Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, The University of Arizona College of Pharmacy, Tucson, Arizona, USA. 2. Reading School of Pharmacy, University of Reading, Reading, UK. 3. Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. 4. Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, Frimley, UK.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To explore factors affecting communication between Foundation Year (FY) 1 doctors and hospital pharmacists about prescribing from the junior doctors' perspective. METHODS: Trained interviewers (n=4) conducted semistructured interviews with FY1 doctors who were purposively sampled from three hospitals in England. FY1 doctors were asked about their experiences of communication with hospital pharmacists about their prescribing; instances where they disagreed with or did not implement a hospital pharmacist's recommendation; and their preferences for communicating with hospital pharmacists about prescribing. Interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. RESULTS: A total of 27 FY1 doctors were interviewed. Findings were categorised into four main themes: (1) nature and context of communication; (2) FY1 doctors' perceptions of communication with hospital pharmacists; (3) factors influencing FY1 doctors' decision whether to act on pharmacists' prescribing recommendations; and (4) suggestions to improve communication with pharmacists. FY1 doctors and hospital pharmacists generally communicated well. FY1 doctors appreciated and frequently acted on pharmacists' advice yet there was deference to senior medical staff when advice differed. Joint ward rounds, pharmacist-led teaching sessions and a standardised approach to communication were all suggested as ways to improve communication and may increase the likelihood of pharmacists' recommendations being acted on. CONCLUSIONS: FY1 doctors and hospital pharmacists communicated frequently about medication prescribing. Issues occurred when there were differences in professional judgement between senior medical staff and pharmacists but these were usually resolved satisfactorily for the FY1 doctor. Further interventions to improve communication and safe prescribing could involve a multidisciplinary and systems approach.
OBJECTIVES: To explore factors affecting communication between Foundation Year (FY) 1 doctors and hospital pharmacists about prescribing from the junior doctors' perspective. METHODS: Trained interviewers (n=4) conducted semistructured interviews with FY1 doctors who were purposively sampled from three hospitals in England. FY1 doctors were asked about their experiences of communication with hospital pharmacists about their prescribing; instances where they disagreed with or did not implement a hospital pharmacist's recommendation; and their preferences for communicating with hospital pharmacists about prescribing. Interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. RESULTS: A total of 27 FY1 doctors were interviewed. Findings were categorised into four main themes: (1) nature and context of communication; (2) FY1 doctors' perceptions of communication with hospital pharmacists; (3) factors influencing FY1 doctors' decision whether to act on pharmacists' prescribing recommendations; and (4) suggestions to improve communication with pharmacists. FY1 doctors and hospital pharmacists generally communicated well. FY1 doctors appreciated and frequently acted on pharmacists' advice yet there was deference to senior medical staff when advice differed. Joint ward rounds, pharmacist-led teaching sessions and a standardised approach to communication were all suggested as ways to improve communication and may increase the likelihood of pharmacists' recommendations being acted on. CONCLUSIONS: FY1 doctors and hospital pharmacists communicated frequently about medication prescribing. Issues occurred when there were differences in professional judgement between senior medical staff and pharmacists but these were usually resolved satisfactorily for the FY1 doctor. Further interventions to improve communication and safe prescribing could involve a multidisciplinary and systems approach.
Authors: Kevin Pottie; Susan Haydt; Barbara Farrell; Lisa Dolovich; Connie Sellors; William Hogg Journal: Ann Fam Med Date: 2008 Mar-Apr Impact factor: 5.166
Authors: Zhi H Ong; Lorraine H E Tan; Haziratul Z B Ghazali; Yun T Ong; Jeffrey W H Koh; Rachel Z E Ang; Chermaine Bok; Min Chiam; Alexia S I Lee; Annelissa M C Chin; Jamie X Zhou; Gene W H Chan; Gayathri D Nadarajan; Lalit K R Krishna Journal: J Med Educ Curric Dev Date: 2021-10-16