ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To explore the current roles of the pharmacy technician in the provision of medication therapy management (MTM) and their relation to organizational behavior at "high-performing" community pharmacies within a nationwide supermarket chain. DESIGN: Qualitative research study using methodologic triangulation with the use of semistructured interviews of key informants, direct observation at "high-performing" pharmacy sites, and respondent journals. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: High-performing pharmacy sites within a large supermarket pharmacy chain in Tennessee. A high-performing site was defined as a pharmacy that has successfully implemented MTM into its pharmacy workflow. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Themes related to pharmacy technician roles in the delivery of direct patient care services. RESULTS: A total of 28 key informants were interviewed from May 2015 to May 2016. Key informants included 10 certified technicians, 5 noncertified technicians, and 13 pharmacists across 8 pharmacies in central and eastern Tennessee. Three themes were identified. At high-performing sites, pharmacy technicians were engaged in both clinical support activities as well as nonclinical support activities with the goal of improving clinical service implementation. Several barriers and facilitators were revealed. CONCLUSION: Within high-performing teams, expanded technician roles to support patient care service delivery were associated with successful clinical service implementation. Future studies should further explore these expanded technician duties, as well as the role of organizational culture, climate, and team dynamics, in the delivery of patient care and clinical services across a heterogeneous pharmacy setting.
Subject(s)
Community Pharmacy Services/organization & administration , Medication Therapy Management/organization & administration , Pharmacists/organization & administration , Pharmacy Technicians/organization & administration , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Patient Care/methods , Professional Role , Qualitative Research , Tennessee , WorkflowABSTRACT
AIM: To determine patient knowledge, interest and willingness-to-pay for pharmacogenomics testing in a community pharmacy. PATIENTS & METHODS: The link to a cross-sectional, anonymous online survey was distributed to a convenience sample of patients. The contingent valuation method was used to assess willingness-to-pay. RESULTS: Twenty seven surveys were completed. Eighty one percent of patients were interested in the service, but patients felt that they would be more likely to use the service if insurance covered the cost. CONCLUSION: Patients indicated interest in a pharmacogenomics test, but varying levels of willingness-to-pay. Patients may not be able to connect the benefits of testing to their health, justifying further patient education in order to increase the viability of pharmacogenomics testing as a pharmacy service.
