1.Analysis of Factors Contributing to the Hesitation of Pharmacists to Address Prescription-Related Questions in Pharmacies
Hideaki HIRAGA ; Mayuko KUSANO ; Sanako YAMAZAKI ; Misaki OGATA ; Shuusuke UEKUSA ; Ayaka SUGESAWA ; Rio TAGAYA ; Yoshio AKIMOTO ; Tomofumi MANABE ; Noriyuki KIUCHI ; Ayako OHASHI ; Kana HAYATA ; Noboru KUYAMA
Japanese Journal of Social Pharmacy 2022;41(1):10-27
Owing to the fear of worsening their relationship with physicians, several pharmacists hesitate to contact physicians regarding prescription-related questions. We investigated the personal factors of pharmacists contributing to their hesitation to contact physicians regarding prescription-related questions. We analyzed the responses of 213 pharmacy pharmacists. A comparison of the degree of hesitation to contact physicians regarding prescription-related questions revealed that the most hesitant questions were pertaining to “the same prescription content from before”; insurance questions (3.37) were higher than medical questions (3.20) (P＝0.006). The multiple regression analysis results revealed that “pharmacy work is busy and there is no time” was influenced by regular employees (medical (β＝−0.181, P＝0.030) and insurance (β＝−0.257, P＝0.002)). “A co-pharmacist said no questions needed” was influenced by the sex of pharmacists (medical (β＝0.194, P＝0.011) and insurance (β＝0.177, P＝0.020)). Overall, type of questions (medical or insurance) and individual backgrounds (prescription issuing medical institution, pharmacy scale, location, age, sex, employment type, years of service, current management pharmacist, and hospital work experience) have a complex effect on the pharmacists’ psychology. To facilitate pharmacists to contact physicians regarding prescription-related questions, physicians and pharmacists should share information and communicate on a daily basis, such as actively participate in joint training programs. It is also important to create an environment where regular employees and female pharmacists can work comfortably. The smooth resolution of prescription-related questions by relieving the psychological pressure of pharmacists will improve patient safety.
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