Patient-centered care in the community-based compounding practice setting.
OBJECTIVE
To identify patient-centered care (PCC) functions delivered with compounded medications in the community pharmacy setting.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
United States during August to November 2007.


METHODS
163 community pharmacist members of the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists.


METHODS
Web-based questionnaire.


METHODS
Pharmacists' self-reported implementation and perceptions of the PCC process.


RESULTS
Respondents were predominantly men (78.4%), independent pharmacy owners (84.0%), held a BPharm degree (78.5%), and dispensed an average of 746.6 prescriptions per week, including an average of 209.1 compounded medications. Respondents perceived a greater responsibility to provide PCC when dispensing a compounded medication compared with a manufactured product. Compounding pharmacists provided input into the prescribing process via frequent physician-initiated consultation. Respondents reported greater follow-up with patients and physicians regarding therapy with compounded medications than manufactured products.


CONCLUSIONS
PCC is characterized by maintenance and frequent updating of detailed patient health records, routine counseling of patients on new and continuing drug therapies, monitoring of patient therapeutic outcomes, and participation in the prescribing process. Patients are drawn into a stronger relationship with pharmacists who provide these services. Provision of PCC services is associated with greater perceived quality of patient care and pharmacist professional satisfaction.
McPherson
Timothy
T
School of Pharmacy, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, Edwardsville, IL 62026-2000, USA. tmcpher@siue.edu
Fontane
Patrick
P
D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004339:Drug Compounding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011786:Quality Control; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States