title: Clinical and conventional pharmacy services in Polish hospitals: a national survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pharmacist-led care services within the hospital pharmacy setting have a significant impact on efficient drug management processes. The work of pharmacists is directly associated with the provision of drugs and medical supplies along with additional clinical, administrative, organizational and educational duties. Depending on the country, these practice roles may differ to a significant extent.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this research was to explore the role of the hospital pharmacist and the provision of both clinical and traditional pharmaceutical services for patients and medical staff in Polish general hospitals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hospital pharmacies from all general hospitals in Poland.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted, utilizing an anonymous questionnaire as the research instrument. Heads of hospital pharmacies were requested to participate in this study and complete the questionnaire. The survey was initially piloted to improve the research method.
  
  
  METHODS
  The types of pharmaceutical services performed in Polish general hospitals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  166 hospital pharmacies took part in this survey. The overall response rate was 60.8 %. The total number of full-time equivalent (FTE) professionals employed within the surveyed hospital pharmacies was approximately 833. The procurement and distribution of drugs were identified as pharmaceutical services performed by most of the participants. The significant majority of pharmacists were also involved in compounding, adverse drug reaction monitoring and rational drug management services. Eleven (7 %) of the responding pharmacists had direct contact with patients and 7 (4 %) pharmacists took part in ward rounds. More precise legal regulations regarding hospital pharmacy practice were measures indicated by most pharmacists as necessary changes required in the hospital pharmacy system.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Polish hospital pharmacists provide various pharmaceutical services. Their work is closely related with direct provision of drugs. There is an observed inadequate level of clinical services provided in comparison to clinical settings in other countries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Dębowa Str. 23, 80-204, Gdańsk, Poland. iga112@gumed.edu.pl.
authors.forename: Iga
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pawłowska
authors.affiliation: Department of Palliative Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Dębinki Str. 2, 80-211, Gdańsk, Poland.
authors.forename: Leszek
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pawłowski
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Dębowa Str. 23, 80-204, Gdańsk, Poland.
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kocić
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, 638 Jones Street, Broadway, Australia.
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Krzyżaniak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D024382:Professional Role; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Clinical pharmacy; Clinical services; Conventional services; Hospital pharmacy; Pharmaceutical services; Pharmacist; Poland