Presenter:
Priya Samuel
Authors:
Priya Samuel, Theresa L. Charrois, Kerry Wilbur, and Marion Pearson
Poster Abstract:
Background: Pharmacists’ role in healthcare has evolved significantly with the introduction of independent prescribing authority. The act of prescribing requires pharmacists to take increased responsibility for patient care and clinical decisions. Little is known about the challenges pharmacists face when prescribing and the strategies they use to overcome them.
Methods: This study employs principles of the Joanna Briggs Institute and the PRIMSA Extension for Scoping Reviews. It is restricted to the context of independent prescribing by pharmacists or pharmacy students. No geographical restrictions were placed, however, only studies in English were included to minimize misinterpretation of findings. MEDLINE Ovid, Embase Ovid, and CINAHL EBSCO were searched for studies from 2000 onward, coinciding with the expansion of pharmacist prescribing globally.
Results: The search yielded 10,860 studies. To-date, 7 studies have undergone analysis after screening 1223 titles and abstracts, and 125 full texts. Emerging themes of the challenges pharmacists face include: 1) workplace structure and 2) cognitive conflict. Themes relating to the strategies pharmacists use when prescribing include: 1) cultivating relationships; 2) continued learning; and 3) ownership of skills and expertise. Cognitive challenges, such as feeling outside one’s clinical expertise when prescribing, appeared more often than structural ones. Inter- and intra-professional relationships enabled pharmacist prescribing when strong.
Implications: Pharmacists who embraced their clinical expertise were more confident in prescribing, consistent with the known link between professional identity and willingness to practice to full scope. An understanding of how pharmacists address prescribing decision-making challenges will inform initiatives to assist pharmacists in safe, confident prescribing.
