Patients’ Perceptions on Community Pharmacy Services of a Ward (10) of Kathmandu Metropolitan

Ankita Ojha, Durga Bista, Badri KC Department of Pharmacy, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Kavre, NepalCorrespondence: Ankita Ojha, Department of Pharmacy, School of Science, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal, Tel +977-9848658800, Email ankita.ojha8800@gmail.comPurpose: Communi...

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Main Authors: Ojha A, Bista D, KC B
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Dove Medical Press 2023-06-01
Series:Patient Preference and Adherence
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.dovepress.com/patients-perceptions-on-community-pharmacy-services-of-a-ward-10-of-ka-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-PPA
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author Ojha A
Bista D
KC B
author_facet Ojha A
Bista D
KC B
author_sort Ojha A
collection DOAJ
description Ankita Ojha, Durga Bista, Badri KC Department of Pharmacy, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Kavre, NepalCorrespondence: Ankita Ojha, Department of Pharmacy, School of Science, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal, Tel +977-9848658800, Email ankita.ojha8800@gmail.comPurpose: Community pharmacists’ role is shifting from product-oriented function towards patient-centered care. The patient-centered role of pharmacists is undervalued, as the public is unaware of pharmacists’ role. This study aims to identify patients’ perceptions and satisfaction with pharmaceutical care services and factors affecting their preferences for community pharmacy services.Patients and Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted for three months on patients visiting registered community pharmacies in Kathmandu metropolitan ward number 10.Results: Out of 406 participants, 30.5% perceive pharmacists to have a balance between business and health aspects of pharmacy practices; 29.1% view them as drug experts; and 11.8% consider pharmacists to be more concerned with business. 43.8% of participants were found to discuss their drug-related queries with pharmacists, possibly due to low treatment costs. Approximately 77% of respondents had no hesitancy when contacting pharmacists for health-related information because they believed pharmacists were sufficiently qualified to address drug-related questions. Around 88% of respondents agreed that the role of pharmacists is to counsel the patient about the directions for the use of medications. The level of satisfaction indicated that 72.4% are highly satisfied with pharmacy services. In addition, patients feel comfortable discussing their health with pharmacists due to their ability to protect the privacy of their medical records. In contrast, more trust in doctors seems to be the most common barrier for patients visiting pharmacists.Conclusion: Overall, pharmacists were regarded as the most trusted health care personnel to contact. However, to facilitate the expansion of pharmaceutical care services, the public should be aware of their distinctive professional talents. It is recommended for future researchers to understand the subjective perspective of pharmacy staff, managers, and pharmaceutical policy makers.Keywords: community pharmacy services, community pharmacist, perception, Nepal
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spelling doaj.art-e92d13fcc29b47ada8113fbb015e09f52023-07-02T19:49:18ZengDove Medical PressPatient Preference and Adherence1177-889X2023-06-01Volume 171487149984622Patients’ Perceptions on Community Pharmacy Services of a Ward (10) of Kathmandu MetropolitanOjha ABista DKC BAnkita Ojha, Durga Bista, Badri KC Department of Pharmacy, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Kavre, NepalCorrespondence: Ankita Ojha, Department of Pharmacy, School of Science, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal, Tel +977-9848658800, Email ankita.ojha8800@gmail.comPurpose: Community pharmacists’ role is shifting from product-oriented function towards patient-centered care. The patient-centered role of pharmacists is undervalued, as the public is unaware of pharmacists’ role. This study aims to identify patients’ perceptions and satisfaction with pharmaceutical care services and factors affecting their preferences for community pharmacy services.Patients and Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted for three months on patients visiting registered community pharmacies in Kathmandu metropolitan ward number 10.Results: Out of 406 participants, 30.5% perceive pharmacists to have a balance between business and health aspects of pharmacy practices; 29.1% view them as drug experts; and 11.8% consider pharmacists to be more concerned with business. 43.8% of participants were found to discuss their drug-related queries with pharmacists, possibly due to low treatment costs. Approximately 77% of respondents had no hesitancy when contacting pharmacists for health-related information because they believed pharmacists were sufficiently qualified to address drug-related questions. Around 88% of respondents agreed that the role of pharmacists is to counsel the patient about the directions for the use of medications. The level of satisfaction indicated that 72.4% are highly satisfied with pharmacy services. In addition, patients feel comfortable discussing their health with pharmacists due to their ability to protect the privacy of their medical records. In contrast, more trust in doctors seems to be the most common barrier for patients visiting pharmacists.Conclusion: Overall, pharmacists were regarded as the most trusted health care personnel to contact. However, to facilitate the expansion of pharmaceutical care services, the public should be aware of their distinctive professional talents. It is recommended for future researchers to understand the subjective perspective of pharmacy staff, managers, and pharmaceutical policy makers.Keywords: community pharmacy services, community pharmacist, perception, Nepalhttps://www.dovepress.com/patients-perceptions-on-community-pharmacy-services-of-a-ward-10-of-ka-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-PPAcommunity pharmacy servicescommunity pharmacistperceptionnepal
spellingShingle Ojha A
Bista D
KC B
Patients’ Perceptions on Community Pharmacy Services of a Ward (10) of Kathmandu Metropolitan
Patient Preference and Adherence
community pharmacy services
community pharmacist
perception
nepal
title Patients’ Perceptions on Community Pharmacy Services of a Ward (10) of Kathmandu Metropolitan
title_full Patients’ Perceptions on Community Pharmacy Services of a Ward (10) of Kathmandu Metropolitan
title_fullStr Patients’ Perceptions on Community Pharmacy Services of a Ward (10) of Kathmandu Metropolitan
title_full_unstemmed Patients’ Perceptions on Community Pharmacy Services of a Ward (10) of Kathmandu Metropolitan
title_short Patients’ Perceptions on Community Pharmacy Services of a Ward (10) of Kathmandu Metropolitan
title_sort patients rsquo perceptions on community pharmacy services of a ward 10 of kathmandu metropolitan
topic community pharmacy services
community pharmacist
perception
nepal
url https://www.dovepress.com/patients-perceptions-on-community-pharmacy-services-of-a-ward-10-of-ka-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-PPA
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