Cross-Cultural Communication and Co-ethnic Social Networks: Perspectives and Practices of Independent Community Pharmacists in Urban Britain

Abstract

Despite the role of the pharmacist in the delivery of community health care, anthropological research placing them at the center of enquiry has been limited. In this article, I explore the experience of independent community pharmacists in hyperdiverse, urban communities. Research was conducted in East and South-East London, combining participant observation within pharmacies and active interviews with pharmacists. Pharmacists’ narratives highlighted a sense of closeness to the lifeworld concerns of customers. They identified their ability to use cultural capital to build relationships through the delivery of successful cross-cultural care and by acting as brokers or patrons within co-ethnic social networks. Pharmacists position themselves as communication ‘experts,’ employ multilingual staff, and stock less commonly available products to provide a ‘specialist’ service for customers in hyperdiverse communities. I suggest that the pharmacy is a neglected space, and demonstrate how the autonomy afforded by independent practice provides a flexible and inclusive approach.

Keywords:

• community
• cross-cultural communication
• hyperdiverse
• independent
• London

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kathryn Duckett

KATHRYN DUCKETT earned her PhD from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. This article is based on her doctoral research work with independent community pharmacists and was funded by a grant from the Economic and Social Research Council. She is now an Honorary Fellow at Durham University. Her current research examines ‘storytelling’ within the pharmaceutical industry and investigates the professional personhoods of workers within the pharmaceutical marketing setting.