Development of Quality Indicators for Pharmaceutical Care Performance Assessment in Nigerian Community Pharmacies: A Delphi Panel

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to develop quality indicators for assessing pharmaceutical care performance in the Nigerian community pharmacies.
 Methods: We searched for existing quality indicators through an extensive literature review. The identified quality indicators consisted of thirty-four items in 10 core components. The Delphi method was used to arrive at a consensus on quality indicators for assessing pharmaceutical care performance in the Nigerian community pharmacies by surveying a panel of experts. There were 3 rounds of the Delphi panel conducted by consulting a panel of 10 experts in pharmaceutical care practice. A mean score>3.5, median>3.5, an absolute value between the median and mode<1.00 was used to establish consensus on the quality indicators for assessing pharmaceutical care performance in the Nigerian community pharmacies.
 Results: Ten studies met the inclusion criteria. A list of 33 quality indicators comprising of 10 core components emerged from the extensive literature review. They included quality management, documentation of care, communication with the patient, management of clinical risk in pharmacy, compounding, dispensing and patient care, follow-up of pharmacotherapy counselling, drug inventory and stocking, training of pharmaceutical staff. At the end of the round three votings, 24 statements of the quality indicator reached consensus in nine core components: quality management (5), continuity of care (1), communication with patients (3), clinical risk management (5), dispensing (1), follow-up of pharmacotherapy (3), counselling (1), logistics (3), training of pharmacy staff (2).
 Conclusion: This study developed a set of 24 quality indicators for assessing pharmaceutical care performance in community pharmacies in Nigeria.

Developing a quality framework for community pharmacy: a systematic review of international literature

“… 45 46 49 52 59 83 113 Of the remaining studies, four each were from Japan, 57 61 62 79 the Netherlands 55 102–104 and Thailand 67 69 95 105 ; three each from Germany, 58 75 108 Estonia, 71 78 115 Iran 48 76 84 and Vietnam 93 96 97 and two each were from Lebanon, 112 114 UAE, 60 86 Brazil 107 110 and Spain. 63 73 One each from Canada, 74 Finland, 99 New Zealand, 43 Lithuania, 44 Malaysia, 87 Poland, 91 Slovenia, 80 Serbia, 70 Sudan, 94 Nigeria, 109 Iraq, 92 Pakistan 89 and China. 85 One study involved five European countries (Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Poland and Great Britain) to validate a pan-European questionnaire.…”

“…Thirteen studies reported the development or assessment of quality indicators for CPs. [99][100][101][102][103][104][105][106][107][108][109][110][111] Four studies described and defined standards or guidelines for good pharmacy practice which can be used to help define quality. [112][113][114][115] Multiple methods were used including: surveys (n=46), 26 114 115 qualitative interviews (n=9), 15 30 45 49 61 69 70 73 83 focus groups, 27 53 63 77 premeasurement and postmeasurement of adherence to standards, 113 biographic and photographic techniques, 42 participant observations, 51 nominal group technique, 43 applying indicators in practice, 103 104 Q-methodology, 96 97 stakeholder event, 112 deductive content analysis, 71 patient stories 65 and mixed methods (n=4).…”

Enhancing Medication Quality Control in Nigeria: A Comprehensive Analysis of Regulatory Challenges and Solutions

“…Strategies should be responsive to changing circumstances and updated accordingly to ensure ongoing effectiveness in enhancing medication quality control and safeguarding public health. By prioritizing implementation strategies, establishing clear timelines and responsibilities, and implementing robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, Nigeria can make significant strides in enhancing medication quality control and improving public health outcomes (NNEOMA, and OBINNA, 2021;Conway, et al, 2013).…”