title: The perceived value of clinical pharmacy service provision by pharmacists and physicians: an initial assessment of family medicine and internal medicine providers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Few publications have addressed the perceptions of pharmacists and physicians regarding the value of clinical pharmacist services. A survey-based study was conducted to determine whether Internal Medicine (IM) and Family Medicine (FM) pharmacists and physicians differed in their attitudes regarding the benefits of collaboration in an acute care setting.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The primary objective was to evaluate perceived differences regarding self-assessment of value between IM and FM pharmacists. The secondary objective was to evaluate perceived differences of clinical pharmacist benefit between IM and FM physicians.
  
  
  METHODS
  An eight-item questionnaire assessed the attitudes and beliefs of pharmacists and physicians regarding the value of clinical pharmacy services. Surveys were emailed and participants marked their responses using a 7-point Likert scale for each item. Demographic data and overall comments were collected from each participant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 167 surveys were completed. When comparing cumulative physician and pharmacist responses, none of the eight questions showed significant differences. Statistically significant differences were noted when comparing IM and FM clinical pharmacists on five of the eight survey items; for each of these items, FM pharmacists had more favourable perceptions than their IM counterparts. No statistically significant differences were noted when comparing responses of IM and FM physicians.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study found that FM pharmacists perceived a greater benefit regarding participation in inpatient acute care rounds when compared to their IM pharmacist counterparts. Future studies are necessary to determine if other medical specialties' perceptions of clinical pharmacy provision differ from our findings and to evaluate the rationale behind specific attitudes and behaviours.
authors: Clinical Pharmacy Department, West Virginia University, School of Pharmacy, WVU-Medicine Ruby Memorial Hospital, Morgantown, WV, USA.
authors: Jon P
authors: JP
authors: Wietholter
authors: Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, Schools of Pharmacy and Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA.
authors: Charles D
authors: CD
authors: Ponte
authors: Department of Biostatistics, West Virginia University School of Public Health, Morgantown, WV, USA.
authors: Dustin M
authors: DM
authors: Long
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005194:Family Practice / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000523:psychology*; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D012647:Self-Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: clinical pharmacy; clinical practice; delivery of care; education; inter-professional issues; medicines management; pharmaceutical care; professional training