title: Perceptions, experiences, and expectations of physicians in hospital settings in Jordan regarding the role of the pharmacist.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To initiate a collaborative working relationship (CWR) between physicians and pharmacists, current physicians' perceptions, expectations, and experiences with pharmacists should be determined.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate physicians' perceptions, expectations, and their actual experiences with pharmacists in hospital settings in Jordan.
  
  
  METHODS
  A self-administered questionnaire was delivered to 284 physicians selected randomly from 4 main hospitals in northern Jordan. The questionnaire was composed of 4 parts investigating physicians' expectations, experiences, and perceptions of the pharmacists.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred and forty-five questionnaires were completed (response rate, 86.3%). More than half of the physicians were comfortable with pharmacists providing patient education. Similarly, just fewer than half (48.2%) were uncomfortable with pharmacists suggesting the use of prescription medications to patients. Most physicians (62.5%) expect the pharmacist to educate their patients about safe and appropriate use of drugs; however, approximately one third (33.9%) of them do not expect the pharmacist to be available for consultation during rounds. Approximately, 54% of the physicians agreed that pharmacists were always a reliable source of information. Nevertheless, only 28.2% agreed that pharmacists frequently inform them that their patients have experienced some problem with their medications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Physicians in hospitals in Jordan were more likely to accept or recognize traditional pharmacy services than newer clinical services. Increasing physician awareness of these clinical pharmacy skills will be an important step in developing CWRs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science & Technology (JUST), Irbid 22110, Jordan. linda_tahaineh@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Linda M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Tahaineh
authors.forename: Mayyada
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wazaify
authors.forename: Abla
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Albsoul-Younes
authors.forename: Yousef
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Khader
authors.forename: Manal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zaidan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004358:Drug Therapy; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007597:Jordan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010595:Pharmacists; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital; D010820:Physicians; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult