Factors associated with assertiveness among Japanese community pharmacists: a cross-sectional study

Background: Community pharmacists play a crucial role in promoting medication safety within the community healthcare team. Effective communication by community pharmacists with other health professionals is essential to facilitate the sharing of patient healthcare information. In the context of information sharing between physicians and community pharmacists, assertive self-expression (defined as 'a style of openly expressing one's needs and feelings while respecting others') is beneficial. The aim of this study is to identify factors associated with assertive self-expression among community pharmacists.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted by surveying 3,446 Japanese community pharmacists working at pharmacies across 10 prefectures. Participants were invited to complete a survey form by email and assessed for assertive self-expression using the Interprofessional Assertiveness Scale. Characteristics of participants and pharmacies were compared using univariate analysis. A generalized linear model was used to explore the factors associated with assertive self-expression.

Results: A total of 961 responses by community pharmacists were included in the analysis. Univariate analysis identified significant differences in assertive self-expression scores based on age, employment status, education, years of working experience as a pharmacist, pharmacist home visit service, and participation in joint regional workshops or conferences. After adjustment, participation in joint regional workshops or conferences was significantly associated with assertive self-expression (odds ratio, 1.037; 95% confidence interval, 1.005-1.070; p = 0.023).

Conclusions: This study showed that assertive self-expression among community pharmacists was associated with participation in joint regional workshops and conferences. Further research is needed to examine whether enhancing assertive self-expression facilitates pharmacists' interprofessional communication skills and improves medication safety.