Knowledge exchange between patient and pharmacist: A mixed methods study to explore the role of pharmacists in patient education and counseling in asthma and pulmonary arterial hypertension

Objectives: To better understand the role of pharmacists in patient education and counselling: describe the perception of knowledge exchange (KE) between asthma/pulmonary arterial hypertension patients and pharmacists (hospital/community) according to four dimensions (4C-typology): cure (C1), care (C2); coordination/supply chain (C3), characteristics of the pathophysiology/disease mechanisms (C4); factors correlated with KE.

Methods: A mixed methods approach was used. Part A: data from semi-structured patient interviews were processed (thematic analysis), and a questionnaire developed. Part B: completed patient questionnaires were processed by correspondence factor analysis.

Results: KE (4C-typology) was correlated with pathology, disease severity, disease duration, age, hospital/community pharmacist. Patients expected pharmacists to provide C2/C3 services. KE with pharmacists covered C1/C2/C3, and with physicians, C1/C2/C4. While patients perceived KE as a means of self-learning to improve self-care skills, the two-way nature meant it provided specific experiential information feedback to pharmacists.

Conclusions: This 4C-typology provides a holistic framework for optimising the pharmacists' role in education and counselling of patients with chronic diseases.