title: Health care professionals' perceptions of a community based 'virtual ward' medicines management service: A qualitative study.
abstract: This article describes a qualitative research study using focus groups to explore the views and experiences of a medicines management team (MMT) on the service they deliver within a 'Virtual Ward' (VW); and those of the wider multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals on the service provided by the MMT. Several themes emerged from the focus groups, including impact on patients and carers, team working and issues and challenges. A dedicated MMT was seen as a positive contribution to the VW, which potentially increased the quality of patient care, and appeared to be a positive experience for both the MM and wider multidisciplinary team.
authors.affiliation: Evidence-based Practice Research Centre, Faculty of Health and Social Care, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39 4QP, UK.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kirkcaldy
authors.affiliation: Evidence-based Practice Research Centre, Faculty of Health and Social Care, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39 4QP, UK. Electronic address: Jackb@edgehill.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Barbara A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Jack
authors.affiliation: Evidence-based Practice Research Centre, Faculty of Health and Social Care, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39 4QP, UK. Electronic address: copel@edgehill.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Louise C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Cope
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D017144:Focus Groups; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D054539:Medication Therapy Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010465:Perception; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011787:Quality of Health Care