title: Survey of patients' experiences and perceptions of care provided by nurse and pharmacist independent prescribers in primary care.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the United Kingdom, nurses and pharmacists who have undertaken additional post-registration training can prescribe medicines for any medical condition within their competence (non-medical prescribers, NMPs), but little is known about patients' experiences and perceptions of this service.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  to obtain feedback from primary care patients on the impact of prescribing by nurse independent prescribers (NIPs) and pharmacist independent prescribers (PIPs) on experiences of the consultation, the patient-professional relationship, access to medicines, quality of care, choice, knowledge, patient-reported adherence and control of their condition.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two cross-sectional postal surveys.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients prescribed for by either NIPs or PIPs in six general practices from different regions in England.
  
  
  RESULTS
  30% of patients responded (294/975; 149/525 NIPs; 145/450 PIPs). Most said they were very satisfied with their last visit (94%; 87%), they were told as much as they wanted to know about their medicines (88%; 80%), and felt the independent prescriber really understood their point of view (87%; 75%). They had a good relationship with (89%; 79%) and confidence in (84%; 77%) their NMP. When comparing NMP and doctor prescribing services, most patients reported no difference in their experience of care provided, including access to it, control of condition, support for adherence, quality and safety of care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients had positive perceptions and experience from their NMP visit. NMPs were well received, and patients' responses indicated the establishment of rapport. They did not express a strong preference for care provided by either their non-medical or medical prescriber.
authors.affiliation: Centre of Academic Primary Care and Health Economics Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK.
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tinelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicines Management, Keele School of Pharmacy, University of Keele, Keele, UK.
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blenkinsopp
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Keele, UK.
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Latter
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Keele, UK.
authors.forename: Alesha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Keele's School of Pharmacy, University of Keele, Keele, UK.
authors.forename: Stephen R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Chapman
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000451:nursing* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000592:standards*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000592:standards*; D010600:Pharmacology / Q000193:education; D011320:Primary Health Care; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: non-medical prescribing; nurse independent prescriber; patient experience; pharmacist independent prescriber