ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Professional identity and its development is a focus of research, education, and practice. But, there is a lack of how professional identity impacts changes in pharmacists' roles in practice, which are particularly prevalent in primary care teams. OBJECTIVES: This research uses Goffmanian theory, micro-sociologic interactional theory, to describe the outcomes of role negotiation in integrated primary care teams. METHODS: This is a multiple case study done per Yin, which used interviews and documents to collect data. Interviews used a storytelling format to gather information on the pharmacist's role and negotiation with their team. Four to six interviews were done in each case. Data was analyzed in an iterative manner using the Qualitative approach by Leuven including narrative reports being created for each case. RESULTS: Five cases were recruited but three cases were completed. In each case, the pharmacist was passive in role negotiation and allowed other actors to decide what tasks were of value. Likely this passivity was due to their professional identities: supportive and "not a physician". These identities led to a focus on the pharmacists' need to develop. This multi-case study demonstrated that pharmacists' professional identity led to passivity being valued and expected. Whether pharmacists self-limited, which has been previously seen, needs to be better defined. But unclear archetypes reduced tasks identified as unique to the pharmacist. CONCLUSION: Goffmanian theory highlighted a key success for future pharmacist role negotiation, a clear professional identity by both pharmacists and society, including team members. Until that occurs, there is a risk of underuse in primary care team settings.
Subject(s)
Negotiating , Pharmacists , Primary Health Care , Professional Role , Pharmacists/organization & administration , Humans , Patient Care Team , Social Identification , Female , MaleABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Over the past several years, there has been more emphasis on integration within health care. Community pharmacy is often under-represented within integrated care models. This study explored stakeholder perceptions and enablers of including community pharmacy within an integrated care model. METHODS: A qualitative study was undertaken. Participants were recruited through professional networks and social media, as well as snowball recruitment from other participants. They included community pharmacists, clinicians, and decision-makers working in Ontario, Canada. Data were collected using telephone interviews completed with a semi-structured interview guide based on Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research from June to September 2018. Data were analysed inductively and deductively following the Qualitative Analysis Guide of Leuven. An additional theoretical framework (Rainbow Model of Integrated Care) was used to categorize enablers. RESULTS: Twenty-two participants were interviewed including nine pharmacists, seven clinicians, and six decision-makers. Three key themes were identified: 1) Positive value of including pharmacy in integrated care models; 2) One model does not fit all; and 3) Conflict of interest. Four key enablers were identified reflecting functional and normative factors: functional - 1) remuneration, 2) technology; normative - 3) engagement, and 4) relationships. While both functional and normative factors were discussed, the latter seemed to be more important to facilitate the inclusion of community pharmacy. Many participants characterized community pharmacists' lack of skills or confidence to provide patient care. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms previously known views about concerns with community pharmacy's conflict of interest. However, discordant perceptions of conflict of interest and negative perceptions about capabilities of community pharmacy need to be addressed for successful integration. Normative enablers, such as culture, are likely important for organizational integration and require additional inquiry.
