gms | German Medical Science

Background: Two health professional groups – physicians and pharmacists – are primarily providing the care of patients within outpatient care. Physicians and pharmacists are among the occupational groups in whom people provide most confidence [1].

However, this confidence in the two professions does not lead to compliance by chronically ill patients: At least 50 percent of the chronically ill Germans under medical treatment do not follow the recommendations of a pharmacist and do not stick to their medical prescriptions [2]. According to this, the attitude of patients towards their treatment is a decisive factor for the success of outpatient care. But patients are not the only actors who influence the success of a therapy: All healthcare professionals who belong to the healthcare system and accompany patients through their treatment have an impact on that success. With this in mind, the goal of the analysis was to find out how well the both professions physicians and pharmacists work together and how patients see this relationship.

Materials and Methods: In the first part quantitative data were collected in a short standardized questionnaire. 716 pharmacists answered the questions that concerned the frequency, the selected medium and the cause of the contact between physician and pharmacist.

In the second part, the answers were discussed in a structured focus group discussion with nine pharmacists.

In the third part, ten physicians were asked about their point of view on communication approaches and communication problems in the context of the physician-pharmacist-relationship (structured interviews).

In addition to this, a survey with customers of a pharmacy was carried out to gain insights into the patients’ impression of the physician-pharmacist-communication and their view of the pharmacist’s function for the society.

Results: The results allow an analyzed view of the relationship of physicians and pharmacists and their main occasions for communication.

Furthermore the working-relationship shows problematic communication habits, misunderstandings and emergent prejudices.

The research findings were additionally set in context with the new upcoming patient role in the field of outpatient care, which shows that pharmacists are already confronted by even more distinct patient-requirements today.

Conclusion: Finally it can be said that many factors have an impact on the complex relationship between physicians and pharmacists. Basically, the boundaries of competences and responsibilities have become blurred.

Both players must adjust their understanding of cooperation and define a benefit for their patients. Only if this is successful, patients can perceive this collaboration as profitable for themselves.