A Goffmanian analysis of impact of unclear professional identity and role negotiation of pharmacists in primary care: A multiple case study

Background

Professional identity and its development is a focus of research, education, and practice. But, there is a lack of how professional identity impacts changes in pharmacists’ roles in practice, which are particularly prevalent in primary care teams.

Objectives

This research uses Goffmanian theory, micro-sociologic interactional theory, to describe the outcomes of role negotiation in integrated primary care teams.

Methods

This is a multiple case study done per Yin, which used interviews and documents to collect data. Interviews used a storytelling format to gather information on the pharmacist's role and negotiation with their team. Four to six interviews were done in each case. Data was analyzed in an iterative manner using the Qualitative approach by Leuven including narrative reports being created for each case.

Results

Five cases were recruited but three cases were completed. In each case, the pharmacist was passive in role negotiation and allowed other actors to decide what tasks were of value. Likely this passivity was due to their professional identities: supportive and “not a physician”. These identities led to a focus on the pharmacists' need to develop. This multi-case study demonstrated that pharmacists’ professional identity led to passivity being valued and expected. Whether pharmacists self-limited, which has been previously seen, needs to be better defined. But unclear archetypes reduced tasks identified as unique to the pharmacist.

Conclusion

Goffmanian theory highlighted a key success for future pharmacist role negotiation, a clear professional identity by both pharmacists and society, including team members. Until that occurs, there is a risk of underuse in primary care team settings.