A broad view of pharmaceutical services in multidisciplinary teams of public Primary Healthcare Centers: a mixed methods study in a large city in Brazil

Abstract

Aim:This study aims to describe how the pharmaceutical services are performed in Primary Healthcare Centers of the Brazilian Public Health System in a large city.Background:There is extensive international discussion about the role of pharmacists in health care teams, particularly in Primary Health Care (PHC). However, in Brazil, there is still no consensus on what services the pharmacist should perform in multidisciplinary teams in PHC.Methods:This study used mixed methods research, and it was conducted with 200 pharmacists who work in PHC Centers of the public health system in São Paulo. The study was conducted using a focus group and an online survey, and qualitative and quantitative data were obtained.Findings:The analysis of the data from the focus group showed two central themes: (i) pharmaceutical services go beyond medicines and (ii) the contributions of the pharmacist to a multidisciplinary team work in PHC. The survey explored 29 services provided by pharmacists, 7 of which were provided daily. It is important to emphasize that pharmacists do not differentiate the relevance attributed to services considered clinical from those that are managerial or more related to access to medicines. This is an opportunity to develop their teamwork skills. Hence, it is necessary to consolidate the professional identity of the pharmacist and to organize their work processes in a multidisciplinary team. PHC is a space that allows a wide development of pharmaceutical services.

Serviços farmacêuticos executados na atenção primária à Saúde: uma análise conjuntural de atuação dos farmacêuticos em município do sul do Brasil

“…Prior to the workshop, the pharmacists completed an online questionnaire on Google Forms to help identify the pharmaceutical services provided in PHC reference pharmacies. The pharmaceutical services mapped by the study by Mendes et al 14 and those described in the document prepared by Conasems "Reference Instrument for Pharmaceutical Services in Primary Care" were considered 8 . A total of 41 pharmaceutical services were listed, of which 12 were technical management services and 29 were technical assistance services.…”