Abstract
Background: General Practice Pharmacists (GPPs) have been present in surgeries in Northern Ireland since 2016¹. The
GPPs in a surgery with a particularly high number of patients in care settings have taken a pro-active role in managing
the medications and assessment of the ordering system.
Aim: This qualitative study sought to explore the views and experiences of those involved in prescribing and in delivering
medication services to nursing/residential homes of the contribution made by General Practice Pharmacists.
Method: An anonymised online survey was developed using the JISC™ platform, with sections tailored to surgery
administrative staff, doctors, community pharmacists and care home staff. The surgery has five GP partners with 165
patients in ten care homes, looked after by six pharmacies. Participants were asked if GPP involvement improved
communication, reduced phone calls required, decreased workload and improved patient safety. Specific groups were
asked to select which GPP task they most valued, and which they would most like to see developed in the future.
Results: A response rate of 44% was achieved, with statistical analyses (Ordinary one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s
multiple comparison test). All groups asked agreed that GPPs reduced their workload, and all except community
pharmacists agreed that they improved communication and patient safety. Of doctors, pharmacy staff and care home
staff, all agreed that GPPs help with handling the monthly order request, converting medicines to liquids, and medication
reviews. Doctors reported less benefit in acute medication requests, while community pharmacists reported less in
medication reconciliations. Care home staff reported GPPs as having a significant role to play in deprescribing. All
groups agreed that the role of the GPPs should be expanded into prescribing for urinary tract infections.
Conclusion: This study has consolidated the findings of previous research² in demonstrating satisfaction with the GPP
role in primary care, and illustrated the part they play in communication among the different branches of the
multidisciplinary team (MDT) involved in care home prescribing. Their significant input to improving patient safety is
recognised by members of the MDT, as is their clinical competence and contribution to reducing the workloads of the
MDT. These positive contributions demonstrate the sustainability of the GPP role in primary care.
References/Acknowledgments: 1 Bengoa R. Health and Wellbeing 2026: Delivering Together. Department of Health
Northern Ireland 2016. Available at: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/publications/health-and-wellbeing-2026-deliveringtogether.
2 Ibrahim A.S.H., Barry H.E. and Hughes C.M. (2022) General practitioners’ experiences with, views of, and attitudes
towards, general practice-based pharmacists: a cross-sectional survey. BMC Prim Care 2022;23:6. Available at
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8759266/
Email address: [email protected]
GPPs in a surgery with a particularly high number of patients in care settings have taken a pro-active role in managing
the medications and assessment of the ordering system.
Aim: This qualitative study sought to explore the views and experiences of those involved in prescribing and in delivering
medication services to nursing/residential homes of the contribution made by General Practice Pharmacists.
Method: An anonymised online survey was developed using the JISC™ platform, with sections tailored to surgery
administrative staff, doctors, community pharmacists and care home staff. The surgery has five GP partners with 165
patients in ten care homes, looked after by six pharmacies. Participants were asked if GPP involvement improved
communication, reduced phone calls required, decreased workload and improved patient safety. Specific groups were
asked to select which GPP task they most valued, and which they would most like to see developed in the future.
Results: A response rate of 44% was achieved, with statistical analyses (Ordinary one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s
multiple comparison test). All groups asked agreed that GPPs reduced their workload, and all except community
pharmacists agreed that they improved communication and patient safety. Of doctors, pharmacy staff and care home
staff, all agreed that GPPs help with handling the monthly order request, converting medicines to liquids, and medication
reviews. Doctors reported less benefit in acute medication requests, while community pharmacists reported less in
medication reconciliations. Care home staff reported GPPs as having a significant role to play in deprescribing. All
groups agreed that the role of the GPPs should be expanded into prescribing for urinary tract infections.
Conclusion: This study has consolidated the findings of previous research² in demonstrating satisfaction with the GPP
role in primary care, and illustrated the part they play in communication among the different branches of the
multidisciplinary team (MDT) involved in care home prescribing. Their significant input to improving patient safety is
recognised by members of the MDT, as is their clinical competence and contribution to reducing the workloads of the
MDT. These positive contributions demonstrate the sustainability of the GPP role in primary care.
References/Acknowledgments: 1 Bengoa R. Health and Wellbeing 2026: Delivering Together. Department of Health
Northern Ireland 2016. Available at: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/publications/health-and-wellbeing-2026-deliveringtogether.
2 Ibrahim A.S.H., Barry H.E. and Hughes C.M. (2022) General practitioners’ experiences with, views of, and attitudes
towards, general practice-based pharmacists: a cross-sectional survey. BMC Prim Care 2022;23:6. Available at
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8759266/
Email address: [email protected]
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published (in print/issue) - 21 Oct 2024 |
| Event | European Society for Clinical Pharmacy Kraków symposium 2024: Implementing and scaling sustainable clinical pharmacy practice - DoubleTree by Hilton, Krakow, Poland, Krakow, Poland Duration: 20 Oct 2024 → 23 Oct 2024 Conference number: 52nd https://escpweb.org/escp_events/escp-krakow-symposium-2024/ |
Conference
| Conference | European Society for Clinical Pharmacy Kraków symposium 2024: Implementing and scaling sustainable clinical pharmacy practice |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | ESCP 2024 |
| Country/Territory | Poland |
| City | Krakow |
| Period | 20/10/24 → 23/10/24 |
| Internet address |