Integrated Pharmacy Research and Practice (Jun 2024)
Yemeni Physicians’ Attitudes and Perceived Barriers Toward Ward-Based Clinical Pharmacist in Hospital Settings
Abstract
Najmaddin A H Hatem,1 Mohammed A Kubas,2,3 Seena A Yousuf,4 Abdunaser Rassam,5 Mohamed Izham Mohamed Ibrahim6 1Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Clinical Pharmacy, Hodeidah University, Al-Hudaydah, Yemen; 2Clinical Pharmacy Department, School of Pharmacy & Medical Sciences (SPMS), Lebanese International University, Sana’a, Yemen; 3Clinical Pharmacy Department, University of Science and Technology (UST) Hospital, Sana’a, Yemen; 4Social Medicine and Public Health Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Aden University, Aden, Yemen; 5Clinical Pharmacy Department, The 48 Hospital, Sana’a, Yemen; 6Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Practice, College of Pharmacy, Qatar University, QU Health, Doha, QatarCorrespondence: Najmaddin A H Hatem, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Clinical Pharmacy, Hodeidah University, P.O. 3114, Al-Hudaydah, Yemen, Tel +967 775040472, Email [email protected]; [email protected]: Clinical pharmacy services (CPSs) are still in their infancy in Yemen. Furthermore, pharmacists are not members of a multidisciplinary healthcare team, so their responsibilities are limited to drug dispensing and marketing. This study examines physicians’ attitudes and perceived obstacles regarding the inclusion of clinical pharmacists in hospital medical wards.Methods: A descriptive observational study was carried out using a validated, self-administered bilingual questionnaire. The study’s questionnaire was conducted among physicians in three leading hospitals. Those hospitals were at the forefront of establishing clinical pharmacy units and embracing clinical pharmacy services. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.Results: Sixty-five responses were included. Our data results indicated that physicians believed the most important contributions for clinical pharmacists to improve patient care were “attending medical rounds”, followed by “order review”. About 75% of physicians showed positive attitudes toward the clinical pharmacist role. However, more than 70% of physicians believed that clinical pharmacists should leave patient care to other healthcare professionals and focus on drug products. Not enough clinical pharmacist staff working in the health center was considered the top perceived barrier (83.1%), followed by “clinical pharmacist responsibilities were not clearly defined” and “clinical pharmacist recommendations are not properly documented”.Conclusion: Strategies to expand clinical pharmacy services in Yemen should focus on several key areas. Protocols must be established to clearly outline the collaboration between clinical pharmacists and physicians. Additionally, fostering inter-professional relationships is crucial to overcoming resistance and increasing awareness and understanding of CPS adoption among healthcare team members.Keywords: clinical pharmacist, clinical pharmacy services, attitudes, physicians, collaboration, Yemen
