Pharmacy students’ perceptions of collaborations, barriers, and attitude towards patient-centred care in persons with mental disorder in south-west Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Patient-centred care is critical for enhanced management of mental disorders, this proves the need for an adequate understanding of students’ attitudes and view about it. Aim: The study assessed pharmacy students’ perceptions of collaborations, barriers, and attitudes towards patient-centred care in persons with mental disorders. Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted among 87 final year pharmacy students. Descriptive analysis was performed using SPSS version 15.0. Average scores of more than 3.50 were considered positive. Results: Eighty students participated in the study, indicating 94.1% response rate. Lack of access to patients, 47 (58.8%) was mostly perceived to affect patient-centred care to mentally ill patients. Few, 14 (17.5%) experienced full cooperation from other health professionals. Average mean scores of 3.82 ± 0.89 and 4.44 ± 0.731 were observed for students’ attitudes and perceptions of the pharmacist-patient relationship respectively during consultations. Conclusion: Lack of access to patients, low collaborations from other healthcare personnel, positive attitude towards mental illness, and positive perception of pharmacist-patient relationship were observed.

Pharmaceutical Care in Mental Health: Pharmacists’ Barriers, Collaborations, Attitudes, and Perceptions

“…This corroborates findings from a previous study of pharmacy students in Nigeria. 29 Although students have limited understanding and experience of the healthcare system, the similarity in desired collaborations with licensed pharmacists is remarkable. A previous study in Nigeria reported positive attitude and physicians’ willingness to collaborate with hospital pharmacists in multidisciplinary ward rounds and patient care.…”