Public Trust in Community Pharmacists in South Korea: A Survey Study
10.24304/kjcp.2021.31.4.301
- Author:
Sung Won YOON
1
;
Hye Sung HAN
;
Hae-Young PARK
;
Hyun Soon SOHN
Author Information
1. College of Pharmacy, CHA University, Gyeonggi-do 11160, Republic of Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
2021;31(4):301-310
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:Trust is a key component for the good relationship between patients and healthcare professionals but trust for community pharmacists has not been studied much.
Objectives:This study aimed to measure public trust in community pharmacists and to investigate variables that affect trust level in South Korea.
Methods:A total of 25 questions, including 13-items for three dimensions of trust (pharmacists’ behavior/attitude, technical competence, communication skills) and 1-item for overall trust were developed. The survey was conducted online and the data from 416 respondents were analyzed with a t-test, an ANOVA and a multiple linear regression analysis.
Results:The average scores (mean ± standard deviation) for the three dimensions of trust in community pharmacists were 3.47±1.05 (out of 5 points) for pharmacists’ behavior/attitude, 3.67 ± 0.99 for technical competence, and 3.66±0.99 for communication skills. The average of the 13 items incorporating all parameters was 3.56±1.02 and the overall trust level was 7.16±1.62 (out of 10 points). The total sum of the 13 items differed significantly by age group (p=0.02) and frequency of pharmacy visits (p=0.04). Each dimension had an independent impact on the trust level, and pharmacists’ behavior/attitude had the greatest impact on trust levels.
Conclusions:This study showed that pharmacists’ behavior/attitude had the most significant impact on the trust level. However, the level of trust in pharmacists’ behavior/attitude is not yet sufficiently satisfactory, and further improvements are required to increase trust in community pharmacists.
