title: Hospital pharmacy medication reconciliation practice in Jordan: perceptions and barriers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The primary aim of this study is to gain an insight into hospital pharmacists' current practice and perceptions towards medicine reconciliation and to identify common challenges preventing pharmacists from providing this service.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted over 2 months (September-October 2015) at four Jordanian hospitals accredited by the Joint International Commission. A total of 76 pharmacists were recruited. Each pharmacist completed a validated structured questionnaire evaluating (1) pharmacist's current practice of medication reconciliation, (2) pharmacist's perceptions towards practicing medication reconciliation and (3) pharmacist's perceived barriers towards implementing medication reconciliation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was relatively low awareness of the presence of current medication reconciliation policy in the hospitals. The majority of recruited pharmacists believed that pharmacists must have an integral role in providing such services to patients. They were also willing and able to provide help and support to all healthcare providers regarding the appropriateness of prescribed medications. It was evident that the greater the practice of medication reconciliation services and the higher the educational level, the better the overall perception score (r = 0.416 and r = 0.366, respectively; P-value = 0.000 for both). 'Time constraint' was the primary barrier discouraging pharmacists from practicing such service.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates a relatively low awareness of the concept and policy of medication reconciliation process among Jordanian pharmacists. This suggests that educational programs are urgently needed to increase pharmacists' role and responsibilities in implementing and practicing reconciliation services with expected positive impact on patient care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
authors.forename: Khawla Abu
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Hammour
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan.
authors.forename: Rana Abu
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Farha
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan.
authors.forename: Iman
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Basheti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007597:Jordan; D008297:Male; D059065:Medication Reconciliation; D008875:Middle Aged; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital; D024382:Professional Role; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: barriers; hospital; medication reconciliation; perception; pharmacist