Hassan Abrar H F, Barry Heather E, Hughes Carmel M
Primary Care Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Medical Biology Centre, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK.
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.
BMC Prim Care. 2025 Mar 31;26(1):90. doi: 10.1186/s12875-025-02787-0.
There is a scarcity of research about patients' perspectives on the role of general practice pharmacists (GPPs). In this review, we aimed to compile qualitative evidence of patients' perspectives regarding the role of GPPs.
A systematic, qualitative meta-synthesis was undertaken. A comprehensive search was conducted on six databases. Additionally, the reference lists of included studies were searched. Findings and verbatim quotes were extracted from the included studies and were analysed using thematic synthesis. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist was employed to evaluate the quality of the included studies. The GRADE-CERQual approach was utilised to evaluate confidence in the findings.
Ten qualitative studies were included. Four main themes were identified: awareness of the GPP (patients were unaware of the GPP's role), accessibility to the GPP (some patients had difficulties arranging appointments with GPPs), benefits and challenges (medication review conducted by GPPs reaffirmed patients' trust in taking their medicines, although some were dissatisfied with the medication review process), and GPP integration into general practice (successful integration of GPPs was attributed to their skills and teamwork). The included studies satisfied all or at least seven out of the ten criteria of the CASP checklist. GRADE-CERQual indicated high confidence for one theme, and moderate confidence for three themes.
This systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative studies provides valuable insights into patients' perspectives on the role of GPPs. The findings highlight both positive aspects and challenges associated with GPP integration into primary care, including concerns about role awareness and accessibility. These findings suggest that while GPPs can add value to general practice teams, there is a need for improved patient education about the GPP role and enhanced accessibility to maximise the potential benefits of the GPPs.
Not applicable.
关于患者对全科药剂师（GPPs）作用的看法的研究较少。在本综述中，我们旨在汇总关于患者对GPPs作用看法的定性证据。
进行了一项系统的定性元分析。对六个数据库进行了全面检索。此外，还检索了纳入研究的参考文献列表。从纳入研究中提取研究结果和逐字引用内容，并使用主题综合法进行分析。采用批判性评估技能计划（CASP）清单来评估纳入研究的质量。运用GRADE-CERQual方法评估对研究结果的信心。
纳入了十项定性研究。确定了四个主要主题：对GPP的认知（患者不了解GPP的作用）、与GPP的接触机会（一些患者在安排与GPP的预约方面有困难）、益处和挑战（GPP进行的用药审查重申了患者对服药的信任，尽管有些患者对用药审查过程不满意）以及GPP融入全科医疗（GPP的成功融入归因于他们的技能和团队合作）。纳入研究符合CASP清单的全部或至少十条标准中的七条。GRADE-CERQual表明对一个主题有高信心，对三个主题有中等信心。
这项对定性研究的系统综述和元分析为患者对GPPs作用的看法提供了有价值的见解。研究结果突出了GPP融入初级医疗所涉及的积极方面和挑战，包括对角色认知和接触机会的担忧。这些发现表明，虽然GPPs可以为全科医疗团队增添价值，但需要加强对患者关于GPP角色的教育，并提高接触机会，以最大限度地发挥GPPs的潜在益处。
不适用。
