title: Involving community pharmacists in pharmacy practice research: experiences of peer interviewing.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Translation of interest in research into active engagement of community pharmacists as research partners/co-researchers remains a challenge. Involving pharmacists in specific research techniques such as peer interviewing, however, may enhance validity of the results.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To enhance community pharmacists' involvement in pharmacy practice research through peer interview training.
  
  
  METHODS
  A subgroup of participants in a multi-phase pharmacy practice research project trained to do peer interviews. These pharmacist interviewers attended a workshop and were mentored. Comments from their feedback forms and ongoing engagement with the Research Associate were thematically analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Positive themes from five interviewers included the importance of the topic and their wish to learn skills beyond their everyday role. The small group format of the training day helped to build confidence. Interviewers felt their shared professional background helped them to capture relevant comments and probe effectively. There were challenges, however, for interviewers to balance research activities with their daily work. Interviewers experienced difficulty in securing uninterrupted time with interviewees which sometimes affected data quality by 'rushing'.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Community pharmacists can be engaged as peer interviewers to the benefit of the volunteers and research team, but must be well resourced and supported.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK, C.W.Morecroft@ljmu.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Charles W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Morecroft
authors.forename: Adam J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Mackridge
authors.forename: Elizabeth C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Stokes
authors.forename: Nicola J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: Sarah E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Darren M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Ashcroft
authors.forename: Noah
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mensah
authors.forename: Graham B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Pickup
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010379:Peer Group; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000639:trends; D024382:Professional Role; D055815:Young Adult