BACKGROUND

Qualitative research has shown that gaining control of medicine treatment and increased feelings of safety and empowerment are central concepts in patients' perceptions of a pharmaceutical care (PC) service provided in Sweden. However, little is known about any unique differences among patients receiving PC versus standard pharmacy services (SSs) and the impact of these services on patient-perceived outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To describe and compare patients who had previously received a PC service and patients who had received a SS with regard to their perceptions of medicine use and the pharmacy encounter.

METHODS

Cross-sectional survey design comparing matched groups of patients who were previously elected to receive a PC service or who had received SS. Patients who were 60 years or older and used 5 or more prescription medicines concomitantly were included in the survey. Questionnaires included questions about perceptions of safety in drug therapy, general health, drug-related problems (DRPs), medication beliefs, adherence, and experiences of pharmacy encounters.

RESULTS

Patients receiving the PC service used more prescription medicines, reported poorer self-reported health, and less perceived safety in their medicine therapy than did patients in SS. PC patients reported that they felt safer with medications, felt a genuine interest from the pharmacist, received important information, and felt more prepared to see the doctor after having spoken to the pharmacist than did patients in SS. DRPs reported to a greater extent by patients receiving the PC service included difficulties opening containers, worries about side effects, experiences of side effects, worries about drug-drug interactions, and inadequate treatment effects. Adherence and medication beliefs showed no statistical difference between groups.

CONCLUSION

Patients receiving a PC service are a worried, vulnerable, and information-seeking group. When compared with patients receiving SS, the PC patients are more insecure about their medicine therapy, although talking to a pharmacist increased their self-reported feelings of safety and provided better preparation for visits to the doctor.