Getting time and building trust: unveiling the systemic, relational, and personal factors influencing clinical pharmacy service implementation in South Africa, a qualitative study

Abstract Background While multidisciplinary teams with clinical pharmacists improve medication use and outcomes, their integration in South Africa faces limitations. A lack of dedicated positions and healthcare professionals’ misunderstanding restrict ward activities and hinder full collaboration, l...

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Main Authors: Lucille Crafford, Rashmi A Kusurkar, Elmien Bronkhorst, Andries Gous, Anouk Wouters
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-10-01
Series:BMC Medical Education
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-06187-3
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author Lucille Crafford
Rashmi A Kusurkar
Elmien Bronkhorst
Andries Gous
Anouk Wouters
author_facet Lucille Crafford
Rashmi A Kusurkar
Elmien Bronkhorst
Andries Gous
Anouk Wouters
author_sort Lucille Crafford
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background While multidisciplinary teams with clinical pharmacists improve medication use and outcomes, their integration in South Africa faces limitations. A lack of dedicated positions and healthcare professionals’ misunderstanding restrict ward activities and hinder full collaboration, limiting their potential to optimize patient care. This study addresses a gap by exploring how perceived healthcare professionals’ understanding of clinical pharmacists’ roles impacts their motivation and service implementation. Understanding these dynamics, particularly in resource-constrained settings, is crucial for optimizing integration and healthcare delivery. Methods Adopting a constructivist approach, this qualitative study was conducted using focus group discussions. Through purposive sampling clinical pharmacists were recruited across South Africa’s public healthcare sector. A semi-structured guide based on previous findings explored how the perceived understanding around clinical pharmacy impacts service delivery and work motivation. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis, guided by the Self-Determination Theory framework. Thematic analysis employed an inductive approach, following an initial preliminary analysis of open and selective coding to develop a coding framework. Results Clinical pharmacists (n = 16) reported various challenges impacting service implementation and motivation. Two main themes were identified: (1) Time: Dedicated ward time is crucial for both the proper implementation of clinical services, as well as the clinical pharmacists’ motivation; and (2) Trust: Clinical pharmacists experience a lack of trust amongst healthcare professionals in the value of clinical pharmacy services. The themes illustrated mechanisms at work at three levels: systemic (lack of dedicated positions), inter-relational (healthcare professional’s misconceptions), and personal (thwarted autonomy). Conclusions Systemic challenges, like the absence of official positions present the biggest obstacle, affecting support, scope of practice, and healthcare professional interactions. While systemic changes are crucial for full integration of clinical pharmacists, in resource-constrained settings fostering autonomous motivation is equally important. This study emphasizes the need for a multi-faceted approach, including policy changes, international collaboration, interprofessional education, and interventions to empower clinical pharmacists for proactive service delivery. By addressing these interconnected challenges, healthcare systems can leverage the full potential of clinical pharmacists, ultimately improving healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-3d673decab714d1484ee4e3361b8bfa92025-08-20T02:11:21ZengBMCBMC Medical Education1472-69202024-10-0124111310.1186/s12909-024-06187-3Getting time and building trust: unveiling the systemic, relational, and personal factors influencing clinical pharmacy service implementation in South Africa, a qualitative studyLucille Crafford0Rashmi A Kusurkar1Elmien Bronkhorst2Andries Gous3Anouk Wouters4Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences UniversityAmsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Research in EducationDepartment of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences UniversityDepartment of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences UniversityAmsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Research in EducationAbstract Background While multidisciplinary teams with clinical pharmacists improve medication use and outcomes, their integration in South Africa faces limitations. A lack of dedicated positions and healthcare professionals’ misunderstanding restrict ward activities and hinder full collaboration, limiting their potential to optimize patient care. This study addresses a gap by exploring how perceived healthcare professionals’ understanding of clinical pharmacists’ roles impacts their motivation and service implementation. Understanding these dynamics, particularly in resource-constrained settings, is crucial for optimizing integration and healthcare delivery. Methods Adopting a constructivist approach, this qualitative study was conducted using focus group discussions. Through purposive sampling clinical pharmacists were recruited across South Africa’s public healthcare sector. A semi-structured guide based on previous findings explored how the perceived understanding around clinical pharmacy impacts service delivery and work motivation. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis, guided by the Self-Determination Theory framework. Thematic analysis employed an inductive approach, following an initial preliminary analysis of open and selective coding to develop a coding framework. Results Clinical pharmacists (n = 16) reported various challenges impacting service implementation and motivation. Two main themes were identified: (1) Time: Dedicated ward time is crucial for both the proper implementation of clinical services, as well as the clinical pharmacists’ motivation; and (2) Trust: Clinical pharmacists experience a lack of trust amongst healthcare professionals in the value of clinical pharmacy services. The themes illustrated mechanisms at work at three levels: systemic (lack of dedicated positions), inter-relational (healthcare professional’s misconceptions), and personal (thwarted autonomy). Conclusions Systemic challenges, like the absence of official positions present the biggest obstacle, affecting support, scope of practice, and healthcare professional interactions. While systemic changes are crucial for full integration of clinical pharmacists, in resource-constrained settings fostering autonomous motivation is equally important. This study emphasizes the need for a multi-faceted approach, including policy changes, international collaboration, interprofessional education, and interventions to empower clinical pharmacists for proactive service delivery. By addressing these interconnected challenges, healthcare systems can leverage the full potential of clinical pharmacists, ultimately improving healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-06187-3Clinical PharmacyPharmacistInterprofessional CollaborationMotivationSelf-Determination TheorySouth African Healthcare System
spellingShingle Lucille Crafford
Rashmi A Kusurkar
Elmien Bronkhorst
Andries Gous
Anouk Wouters
Getting time and building trust: unveiling the systemic, relational, and personal factors influencing clinical pharmacy service implementation in South Africa, a qualitative study
BMC Medical Education
Clinical Pharmacy
Pharmacist
Interprofessional Collaboration
Motivation
Self-Determination Theory
South African Healthcare System
title Getting time and building trust: unveiling the systemic, relational, and personal factors influencing clinical pharmacy service implementation in South Africa, a qualitative study
title_full Getting time and building trust: unveiling the systemic, relational, and personal factors influencing clinical pharmacy service implementation in South Africa, a qualitative study
title_fullStr Getting time and building trust: unveiling the systemic, relational, and personal factors influencing clinical pharmacy service implementation in South Africa, a qualitative study
title_full_unstemmed Getting time and building trust: unveiling the systemic, relational, and personal factors influencing clinical pharmacy service implementation in South Africa, a qualitative study
title_short Getting time and building trust: unveiling the systemic, relational, and personal factors influencing clinical pharmacy service implementation in South Africa, a qualitative study
title_sort getting time and building trust unveiling the systemic relational and personal factors influencing clinical pharmacy service implementation in south africa a qualitative study
topic Clinical Pharmacy
Pharmacist
Interprofessional Collaboration
Motivation
Self-Determination Theory
South African Healthcare System
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-06187-3
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