Pharmacists' awareness and confidence in performing Pharmacists' Patient Care Process-related activities

Background: The Pharmacists' Patient Care Process (PPCP) is a 5-step approach for patient-centered evidence-based pharmaceutical care. The PPCP was developed by the Joint Commission of Pharmacy Practitioners in 2014; however, little is known about PPCP terminology and process uptake across the profession.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore practicing pharmacists' awareness of and confidence in performing PPCP-related activities in various practice settings.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional observational study of practicing pharmacists using a multiphase quantitative survey research design. A previously validated instrument, the PPCP Self-Efficacy Scale, was revised and distributed. The 28-item instrument addressed activities mapped to each of the 5 PPCP components (Collect, Assess, Plan, Implement, and Follow-Up). The survey was distributed via Qualtrics to an IQVIA pharmacist e-mail listserv in 2021 and to pharmacist state license rosters containing e-mail addresses in 2022.

Results: A total 853 practicing pharmacists completed the survey. Most participants identified as female (62.5%) and white (74.6%). Almost 60% of participants reported practicing for 16 or more years. Forty-four percent practiced in a community pharmacy setting, whereas 23.6% and 15.4% practiced in a health-system setting and ambulatory care setting, respectively. Sixty-two percent indicated they had no previous knowledge of the PPCP, and 12.5% were unsure. Overall participants had relatively high self-efficacy mean scores for each of the PPCP components. Participants working in an ambulatory care setting had the highest mean self-efficacy scores across all PPCP components (P < 0.05). Participants who were affiliated with a college or school of pharmacy (e.g., faculty, preceptor) had higher mean self-efficacy scores than participants who were not affiliated (P < 0.01).

Conclusion: Most of practicing pharmacists are unaware of PPCP terminology. Their confidence in performing tasks associated with PPCP components is relatively high and varies based on PPCP component and practice setting.