Dataset Information

Effective communication and collaboration with health professionals: A qualitative study of primary care pharmacists in Western Australia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The expanded provision of professional services by community pharmacists in the primary care setting encompasses the necessity to communicate and collaborate with other health professionals. Little is currently known about contemporary processes employed for their achievement.

Objective

To explore contemporary processes employed for effective communication and collaboration between primary care pharmacists and health professionals.

Methods

In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with pharmacists practising in primary care settings requiring varying expertise, practice experience and speciality backgrounds. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and coded using NVivo version 11. Data were analysed following an inductive approach to facilitate thematic analysis.

Results

Twenty-six pharmacists were interviewed, which achieved data saturation. Five overarching themes emerged as participants described their experiences and perspectives regarding processes employed for communication and collaboration: i) tailored means of communication, ii) referral processes, iii) facilitators for effective interactions, iv) barriers to effective interactions, and v) implementation of a national digital health record. Participants acknowledged that the changing landscape of the Australian health system affected communication and collaboration with other health professionals. The changes resulted in participants' acceptance of a multidisciplinary approach to healthcare, which was contingent upon effective communication, interactions and relationships with other health professionals. Varying levels of formality and characteristics of referrals were identified, however the nature of the communication was tailored to the individual scenario or circumstance that was considered appropriate.

Conclusions

Pharmacists exercised judgment on a case-by-case basis when tailoring the means of communication. The establishment of a consistent and structured two-way referral process between health professionals within the primary care setting is important, which includes use of the national digital health record. Increased awareness and appreciation of each health professional's roles and expertise would further enhance inter-professional collaboration.

SUBMITTER: Sim TF

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7289401 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Effective communication and collaboration with health professionals: A qualitative study of primary care pharmacists in Western Australia.

Sim Tin Fei TF Hattingh H Laetitia HL Sunderland Bruce B Czarniak Petra P

PloS one 20200611 6

<h4>Background</h4>The expanded provision of professional services by community pharmacists in the primary care setting encompasses the necessity to communicate and collaborate with other health professionals. Little is currently known about contemporary processes employed for their achievement.<h4>Objective</h4>To explore contemporary processes employed for effective communication and collaboration between primary care pharmacists and health professionals.<h4>Methods</h4>In-depth semi-structure ...[more]

PMID: 32525923

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Dataset Information

Effective communication and collaboration with health professionals: A qualitative study of primary care pharmacists in Western Australia.

Background

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Effective communication and collaboration with health professionals: A qualitative study of primary care pharmacists in Western Australia.

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