The current and future roles of community pharmacists: views and experiences of patients with type 2 diabetes

Background: The current UK government agenda is for community pharmacists to assume greater responsibility for medication management in patients with chronic conditions. This agenda may require a significant change in the way patients currently interact with their community pharmacist.

Objectives: To explore the experiences and views of patients with type 2 diabetes regarding the current and proposed future role of community pharmacists.

Methods: This study used focus groups to collect experiences and views of patients with type 2 diabetes. A National Health Service (NHS) ethics committee approved this study. Pharmacists identified all patients with type 2 diabetes to whom they provided an information sheet and a consent form which included a request to supply basic demographic details. Focus group members were purposively sampled to gain a diverse range of opinions. Two researchers independently coded and thematically analyzed the transcripts. The researchers discussed the emergent themes to ensure all valid themes had been identified.

Results: Twenty-five participants attended one of 4 focus groups. Two broad themes were identified: the place of pharmacy in the wider primary care team and pharmacy as a healthcare destination. Participants who had been living with diabetes for a long time and those who felt they had received a lower level of care from the medical practice were more likely to acknowledge contributions of pharmacists in their care for advice on side effects, drug interactions and supply than participants with a good relationship with their general practitioner (GP) or practice nurse and whose diabetes was well controlled.

Conclusions: Participants with type 2 diabetes identified a role for pharmacists in their care linked to their perceived expertise on medicines. However, the extent to which they would engage with the pharmacist depended on the quality of relationship with their GP or practice nurse.