An exploration of general practitioners’ and pharmacists’ views and experiences of integrating a pharmacist into general practice: a qualitative study

Abstract Introduction Practice-based pharmacists (PBPs) have been introduced into general practice across the United Kingdom (UK) to relieve some of the pressures within primary care (1,2). However, there is little existing UK literature that has explored healthcare professionals’ (HCPs’) views about PBP integration and how this role has evolved. Aim To explore the views and experiences of general practitioners (GPs), PBPs, and community pharmacists (CPs) about PBPs’ integration into general practice and their impact on primary healthcare delivery. Methods Purposive and snowball sampling were used to recruit triads (a GP, a PBP, and a CP) from across five administrative healthcare areas in one region in the UK to participate in one-to-one semi-structured interviews. Sampling of practices to recruit GPs and PBPs commenced in August 2020. These HCPs identified the CPs who had most contact with the general practices in which the recruited GPs and PBPs were working. The interview topic guides were developed based on the published literature, and through discussion within the research team; they were piloted with two GPs, two PBPs, and two pharmacists. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, interviews were conducted via telephone or Microsoft Teams platform. All interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Results Eleven triads were recruited from across the five administrative areas. Analysis of interview transcripts is ongoing. Findings to date have revealed four main themes in relation to PBPs’ integration into general practices (Table): evolution of the role, PBP attributes, collaboration and communication, and impact on care. A number of areas for development were identified such as patient awareness of the role and communication pathways between PBPs and CPs. Many saw PBPs as a ‘central hub-middleman’ between general practice and community pharmacies and between primary and secondary care. Conclusion Participants reported that PBPs had integrated well, and perceived a positive impact on primary health care delivery. Although recruitment was limited to one UK geographical region, the triad approach provided a more comprehensive overview of the working relationships between the three HCP groups. Further work is needed to increase patient awareness of the PBP role. References (1) Strategic Leadership Group for Pharmacy. Practice-based pharmacists’ statement. 2016. (Online) Available at: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/health/practice-based-pharmacists.pdf (accessed 06 Oct 2021). (2) NHS England. Clinical pharmacists in general practice. 2015. (Online) Available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/gp/gpfv/workforce/building-the-general-practice-workforce/cp-gp/ (accessed 06 Oct 2021).