Physicians’ perceptions, expectations, and experience with pharmacists at Hamad Medical Corporation in Qatar

Abstract

Objectives:

The purpose of this study was to investigate the physicians’ perceptions, and expectations of their experiences with the pharmacists at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) in Qatar.

Method:

A cross-sectional study was conducted at HMC between January and March 2006 using a validated questionnaire. The self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 500 physicians who were working at HMC comprising Hamad General Hospital, Women’s Hospital, Rumaila Hospital, Al-Amal Hospital, Al Khor Hospital, and primary health centers. The questionnaire was composed of four parts, investigating the physicians’ expectations, experiences, and perceptions of the pharmacists.

Results:

A total of 205 questionnaires were completed (response rate 41%). A total of 183 physicians (89%) expected the pharmacist to educate patients about safe and appropriate use of drugs, whereas 118 (57%) expected the pharmacist to be available for health-care team consultation during bedside rounds. The indices of physicians showing how comfortable they were with pharmacists, and their expectations of pharmacists, were 61% and 65%, respectively, whereas the index on experience of physicians with pharmacists was lower (15%).

Conclusions:

Physicians were comfortable with pharmacists and had high expectations of pharmacists in performing their duties. However, physicians reported a poor experience with pharmacists, who infrequently informed them about the effectiveness of alternative drugs, patients experiencing problems with prescribed medications, and who took personal responsibility to resolve any drug-related problem.

Keywords:

• hospital pharmacists
• perceptions
• expectations
• experience
• physicians
• Qatar

Acknowledgements

This study was conducted under the guidance of Medical Research Centre (MRC). We thank MRC for providing funds, clearing ethical issues, and valuable guidance in working out this project. The authors acknowledge Dr Saad Al Kaabi, Medical Director, HMC, Dr Abd Al Latif Al Khal, Director of Medical Education, HMC, Dr Mariam Abd Al Malik, Chief of Staff, Primary Health Care for their kind support, Dr Peter Jewesson, Dean, College of Pharmacy, Qatar University for reviewing this manuscript, Ms Banan Al Arab, Secretary, Internal Medicine and Ms Sanaa Al Fadel, Secretary, Pharmacy Department, Al Amal Hospital for distributing and collecting the surveys. The authors would also like to acknowledge and appreciate all physicians who participated in this study.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.