Conceptions of healthcare professionals involved outpatient care about the activities developed by the clinical pharmacist at a health facility

Abstract

Objective: To describe the understanding of the team and the pharmacist himself about the clinical activities of this professional. Method: Fourteen semi-structured interviews were carried out with pharmacists, pharmacy students, doctors, nurses, and nursing technicians who work in an outpatient service that cares for tertiary care patients. Results: Some professionals were aware of the clinical activities of the pharmacist in the outpatient clinic but (i) referred the patient to the clinical pharmacist late or (ii) knew the role of the pharmacist only in drugstores or for hospitalized patients. Pharmacists also did not consider themselves thoroughly prepared to carry out all clinical activities or did not have adequate facilities and resources. Conclusion: The sample of nurses, doctors, and pharmacists (with professional experience or training) working in an outpatient medical clinic were unaware of the potential of clinical pharmacist care for patients with multimorbidities in the health facility investigated.