title: "They come with multiple morbidities": a qualitative assessment of pharmacist prescribing.
abstract: This paper presents qualitative findings from a larger sequential mixed methods study which sought to provide an in-depth understanding of pharmacist prescribing from the perspective of pharmacist prescribers, medical colleagues and key stakeholders in Northern Ireland. Transcriptions were analyzed using thematic analysis as the interviews progressed and emergent themes were identified and coded (along with supporting quotes) independently and by consensus of the research team. Three major themes emerged in relation to pharmacist prescribing: the effect on patient care; challenges facing pharmacist prescribers and the importance of the interprofessional team (where two or more different professions with varied, yet complementary experience work together with a common purpose). Pharmacist prescribing may have the potential to reduce the medication burden for patients (as reported by pharmacists) as pharmacists tend to provide a more comprehensive medication review than doctors; the additional time for consultations made this possible. Further research is required on how interprofessional team working can be maximized in the context of pharmacist prescribing, particularly in relation to the management of multi-morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Queen's University Belfast, School of Pharmacy, Belfast, UK.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McCann
authors.forename: Fran
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lloyd
authors.forename: Carole
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Parsons
authors.forename: Gerard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gormley
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Haughey
authors.forename: Grainne
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Crealey
authors.forename: Carmel
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hughes
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D015897:Comorbidity; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D054539:Medication Therapy Management / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D009660:Northern Ireland; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D036301:Qualitative Research