Successful implementation and provision of enhanced and extended pharmacy services

Background: Careful planning is important for successful implementation and ongoing provision of enhanced and extended pharmacy services.

Objective: To explore the factors that contributed to the successful implementation and ongoing provision of enhanced and extended services in Western Australian community pharmacies.

Methods: In-depth semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with purposively selected pharmacists from various practice settings. Interviews explored experiences and perspectives on the provision of enhanced and extended professional services and continued until saturation was achieved. Analysis focused on prior investigation before implementation of services, perceptions of the impact of the services and factors to be considered. The COM-B (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation and Behaviour) model was applied post hoc to the thematic analysis to explore whether there was an overlap between themes and the model.

Results: In total 26 pharmacists (16 males, 10 females) participated in semi-structured interviews during October 2017 and February 2018. They classified as 20 community, 13 accredited and 7 specialist pharmacists and 11 pharmacist immunisers (some classified as more than one). Interview duration was 55 min (minimum 22, maximum 91 min). Responses regarding prior investigation/research conducted varied in approach followed and level of enquiry. Opinions about services were overall positive such as enhanced collaboration with other healthcare professionals, positive patient outcomes, increased staff satisfaction and acceptance of pharmacists as primary care providers. New services did not always provide direct financial benefit. Three major themes emerged as factors that impacted on provision of services: 1) pharmacist characteristics, 2) local needs, structures and support, and 3) an enabling practice framework.

Conclusions: Pharmacists who were successful in the implementation and maintenance of new professional services were familiar with local needs. Both pharmacy and pharmacist aspects should be considered during implementation and maintenance of new professional services. An enabling practice framework is crucial in facilitating new pharmacy services.