Mitch Prasad1, Peter S Loewen2, Stephen Shalansky3, Shahrzad Salmasi4, Arden R Barry5. 1. , BComm(Hons), BSc(Pharm), ACPR, was, at the time of writing, a Pharmacy Practice Resident with Lower Mainland Pharmacy Services. He is now a Clinical Pharmacist with Vancouver General Hospital, Lower Mainland Pharmacy Services, Vancouver, British Columbia. 2. , BSc(Pharm), PharmD, ACPR, FCSHP, is an Associate Professor with the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia. 3. , BSc(Pharm), PharmD, ACPR, FCSHP, is Clinical Coordinator, Pharmacy Department, St Paul's Hospital, Lower Mainland Pharmacy Services, Vancouver, British Columbia. 4. , BPharm(Hons), MSc, was, at the time of writing, a Master of Science student in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia. She has since graduated and is now a Doctor of Philosophy student in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of British Columbia. 5. , BSc, BSc(Pharm), PharmD, ACPR, is a Clinical Pharmacy and Research Specialist with Chilliwack General Hospital, Lower Mainland Pharmacy Services, Chilliwack, British Columbia, and an Assistant Professor (Partner) with the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In many jurisdictions, the pharmacist's role continues to evolve from drug distribution-based service delivery to expanded scopes of practice, including independent prescribing of medications. OBJECTIVES: To assess health authority-based pharmacists' attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions about independent prescribing, to determine how independent prescribing may affect their behaviour, and to identify perceived barriers and enablers to incorporating it into their practice. METHODS: An anonymous, cross-sectional online survey of 677 health authority-based pharmacists employed by Lower Mainland Pharmacy Services in British Columbia collected information in the following domains: demographic characteristics; attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions regarding pharmacist prescribing; anticipated effect of pharmacist prescribing on behaviour; likelihood of applying for this authority, if granted; and barriers and enablers to applying for prescribing authority and incorporating prescribing into their practice. A multivariate regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: A total of 266 pharmacists (39.3%) responded to the survey. Most respondents agreed that prescribing is important to the profession and relevant to their practice, and that it might enhance job satisfaction. Additionally, respondents agreed that they had the expertise to prescribe. Respondents perceived prescribing as having the potential to positively affect behaviour, including deprescribing, prescribing at time of discharge or transfer, and renewing medications. Enablers to applying for pharmacist prescribing authority included perceived positive impact on patient care and the profession, level of support from management and coworkers, and personal ability. No barriers were identified. About two-thirds of pharmacists indicated they would likely apply for prescribing authority if it were granted through legislation. Pharmacists with a clinical practice or research role were significantly more likely to apply to be a prescriber, whereas those with more than 10 years of experience were less likely to apply. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, health authority-based pharmacists held positive attitudes and beliefs about the value and impact of independent prescribing of medications on their practice and the profession. There were no perceived barriers to applying for prescribing authority or to incorporating prescribing into practice.
BACKGROUND: In many jurisdictions, the pharmacist's role continues to evolve from drug distribution-based service delivery to expanded scopes of practice, including independent prescribing of medications. OBJECTIVES: To assess health authority-based pharmacists' attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions about independent prescribing, to determine how independent prescribing may affect their behaviour, and to identify perceived barriers and enablers to incorporating it into their practice. METHODS: An anonymous, cross-sectional online survey of 677 health authority-based pharmacists employed by Lower Mainland Pharmacy Services in British Columbia collected information in the following domains: demographic characteristics; attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions regarding pharmacist prescribing; anticipated effect of pharmacist prescribing on behaviour; likelihood of applying for this authority, if granted; and barriers and enablers to applying for prescribing authority and incorporating prescribing into their practice. A multivariate regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: A total of 266 pharmacists (39.3%) responded to the survey. Most respondents agreed that prescribing is important to the profession and relevant to their practice, and that it might enhance job satisfaction. Additionally, respondents agreed that they had the expertise to prescribe. Respondents perceived prescribing as having the potential to positively affect behaviour, including deprescribing, prescribing at time of discharge or transfer, and renewing medications. Enablers to applying for pharmacist prescribing authority included perceived positive impact on patient care and the profession, level of support from management and coworkers, and personal ability. No barriers were identified. About two-thirds of pharmacists indicated they would likely apply for prescribing authority if it were granted through legislation. Pharmacists with a clinical practice or research role were significantly more likely to apply to be a prescriber, whereas those with more than 10 years of experience were less likely to apply. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, health authority-based pharmacists held positive attitudes and beliefs about the value and impact of independent prescribing of medications on their practice and the profession. There were no perceived barriers to applying for prescribing authority or to incorporating prescribing into practice.
Entities:
Keywords:
drug prescriptions; health services; pharmacists; pharmacy; pharmacy research
Authors: Scott J Knoer; Drew D Luder; Joseph M Hill; Thomas S Achey; Antonio Ciaccia Journal: Am J Health Syst Pharm Date: 2016-09-15 Impact factor: 2.637
Authors: Amy Grant; Liam Rowe; Natalie Kennie-Kaulbach; Andrea Bishop; Julia Kontak; Sam Stewart; Bobbi Morrison; Ingrid Sketris; Glenn Rodrigues; Laura Minard; Anne Marie Whelan; Lisa Woodill; Elizabeth Jeffers; Judith Fisher; Juanna Ricketts; Jennifer E Isenor Journal: Res Social Adm Pharm Date: 2022-08-20