Healthcare professional-patient relationships: Systematic review of theoretical models from a community pharmacy perspective.

OBJECTIVE

To identify health care professional-patient relationship theoretical models and individual factors that may have an influence on this relationship and be relevant to community pharmacy practice.

METHODS

Using the recommended methodology by Prisma Statement, a search was undertaken in PubMed for health care professional-patient relationship theoretical models that included individual factors.

RESULTS

Eight theoretical models met the inclusion criteria. These models were classified based on their aim, their focus on the interaction process, external factors influencing the process, and their practical applications. The most common influential modifiable factors were knowledge, needs, values, expectations, beliefs and perceptions.

CONCLUSION

'The Theory of Goal Attainment' (TGA) appears to be the most useful model for community pharmacy practice. The perceptions and expectations of both patients and pharmacists could be the two most interesting modifiable factors to apply in pharmacy practice. These modifiable influential factors could be altered by specific training such as behavioral aspects.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

No theoretical model has been specifically developed for analyzing the community pharmacist-patient relationship. TGA may be appropriate for community pharmacy practice, since it takes into consideration both, attaining patients health outcomes, as well as improving patient-pharmacist relationship.