Physicians’ perceptions and response to the role of clinical pharmacists in a teaching hospital in Egypt

Abstract

Background: Effective communication between clinical pharmacists (C. Ph.) and physicians has a significant impact on reducing drug-related problems (DRPs) and medication errors. Aim of the work:To estimate the proportion of physicians with positive perceptions towards C. Ph., and physicians' responses to C. Ph. recommendations regarding DRPs. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Al-Ahrar hospital between June and December 2022. A selfadministered questionnaire was filled in by 134 physicians. The questionnaire consisted of demographic information, physicians' perceptions of C. Ph.'s roles, and perceived barriers to fulfilling these roles. C. Ph. checked for DRPs in ICU prescriptions of 244, 182 and 65 patients admitted to cardiology care unit (CCU), emergency ICU and internal medicine ICU respectively. Physicians' responses to C. Ph. recommendations were recorded. Results: Most physicians considered C. Ph. as a source of information on medications (129, 96.3%) and drug interactions (119, 88.8%). Unclear C. Ph. responsibilities and unawareness of C. Ph.'s beneficial role were the main barriers to C. Ph. functioning stated by 64.2% and 55.2% of physicians respectively. A total of 378 DRPs were detected, of which 361 were also considered medication errors. Highest DRPs related recommendations' acceptance rate was observed in internal medicine ICU (88.6%) followed by CCU (77.4%) and emergency ICU (40.8%), p<0.001. Recommendations most likely to be accepted were the ones regarding drug interactions (100%), a needed additional drug (77.4%), and dosing regimen recommendations (75.3%). Conclusion: Most Physicians had positive perceptions of the C. Ph. role. Acceptance of C. Ph. recommendations varied across sites and DRP types.