The general pharmacy work explored in The Netherlands.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency and nature of general pharmacy work at three Dutch community pharmacies.


METHODS
In a purposive and convenience sample of three Dutch community pharmacies the general work was investigated. Multi-dimensional work sampling (MDWS) was used. The study took six weeks: two weeks at each pharmacy.


METHODS
The number of care related items emerging in the general work.


RESULTS
Care related work represented 34% of all pharmacy activities.


CONCLUSIONS
Although care related work was present at all three studied pharmacies, this part of the work still needs serious attention of Dutch pharmacists in order to advance pharmaceutical care. It is suggested that an efficient pharmacy organization in combination with robotization, task specialization, and interior design can expand the care related work at the pharmacy.
Mark
M P
MP
Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 800, Landleven 5, Groningen 9700 AV, The Netherlands. m.p.mobach@rug.nl
D003201:Computers; D034201:Computers, Handheld; D003625:Data Collection; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009426:Netherlands; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000639:trends; D010594:Pharmacies / Q000639:trends*; D010604:Pharmacy / Q000639:trends*; D010596:Pharmacy Technicians; D012424:Rural Population; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014505:Urban Population; D000078329:Workforce