Trends in Pharmacy Practice Communication Research

Clinical Communication Within Hospital Pharmacy Practice: Exploring Pharmaceutical Oncological Consultations

This exploratory study aimed to identify communication trends typical of pharmacists' clinical communication in the context of hospital consultations. A cross-sectional design was used to investigate the pharmacist-patient exchange, applying the Roter Interaction Analysis System (RIAS). Communication variables and RIAS composites were assessed, including therapeutic information complexity, estimated through the ad-hoc score CTICS (Cancer Therapy Information Complexity Score). The study comprised 13 consultations of cancer patients with one female pharmacist, of which 6 included a patient family member, lasting on average 22.74 minutes and presenting repeated or overlapping consultation phases. The pharmacist's talk dominance reached 53.49%, slightly higher in dyadic consultations (U = 6.0, p = .032), and with an overall predominance of closed-ended questioning (W = 81.0, p = .013). Patients' questioning on biomedical issues was higher in dyadic consultations. The level of the pharmacist's rapport-building with the relative was higher when the patient's age was ≥80 years. Several strong correlations, both positive and negative, were found between composites, including between patient positive rapport-building and relative lifestyle/psychosocial information giving (Rho = -0.971, p = .001). Pharmaceutical consultations seem to be lengthier than other hospital practitioners' interviews, indicating a lack of  clear organization and flow, thus challenging their efficiency regarding therapy management. Still, several positive communication features were found regarding the pharmaceutical care of older cancer patients. Further studies are needed, involving larger samples and other hospital consultation settings.

Patients', Pharmacy Staff Members', and Pharmacy Researchers' Perceptions of Central Elements in Prescription Encounters at the Pharmacy Counter

Background: Studies suggest that the way pharmacy counselling takes place does not fully support patients in obtaining optimal medicine use. To understand the basis of current challenges in pharmacy counselling, we investigated which selected related cues, i.e., objects, sounds, or circumstances in prescription encounters, patients, and pharmacy staff notice, and how they interpret these cues. Pharmacy practice researchers’ cue orientation was also investigated to explore possible differences to those of staff and patients. Methods: Twelve focus group interviews representing 5 community pharmacies (staff and patients) and 2 universities (researchers) were conducted during 2017–2018 in Denmark. A total of 20 patients, 22 pharmacy staff, and 6 pharmacy researchers participated. A theoretical analysis based on cue orientation and social appraisal was conducted. Results: Pharmacy staff, patients and researchers noticed different selected related cues in prescription encounters. Staff particularly noticed ‘types of patients’. Patients were more divided and grouped into three overall categories: ‘types of staff’, medical content, and the situation around the encounter. Pharmacy researchers noticed multiple cues. Different emotions were integrated in the construction of the cues. Conclusion: Differences in the cue orientation between all three groups were identified. The identified types of cues and emotions can explain an underlying dissatisfaction with the encounters. Patients lack, in particular, more personal contact. Staff need to consider these aspects to provide relevant counselling.