Pharmacists’ awareness and confidence in performing Pharmacists’ Patient Care Process–related activities

Background

The Pharmacists’ Patient Care Process (PPCP) is a 5-step approach for patient-centered evidence-based pharmaceutical care. The PPCP was developed by the Joint Commission of Pharmacy Practitioners in 2014; however, little is known about PPCP terminology and process uptake across the profession.

Objectives

This study aimed to explore practicing pharmacists’ awareness of and confidence in performing PPCP-related activities in various practice settings.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional observational study of practicing pharmacists using a multiphase quantitative survey research design. A previously validated instrument, the PPCP Self-Efficacy Scale, was revised and distributed. The 28-item instrument addressed activities mapped to each of the 5 PPCP components (Collect, Assess, Plan, Implement, and Follow-Up). The survey was distributed via Qualtrics to an IQVIA pharmacist e-mail listserv in 2021 and to pharmacist state license rosters containing e-mail addresses in 2022.

Results

A total 853 practicing pharmacists completed the survey. Most participants identified as female (62.5%) and white (74.6%). Almost 60% of participants reported practicing for 16 or more years. Forty-four percent practiced in a community pharmacy setting, whereas 23.6% and 15.4% practiced in a health-system setting and ambulatory care setting, respectively. Sixty-two percent indicated they had no previous knowledge of the PPCP, and 12.5% were unsure. Overall participants had relatively high self-efficacy mean scores for each of the PPCP components. Participants working in an ambulatory care setting had the highest mean self-efficacy scores across all PPCP components (P < 0.05). Participants who were affiliated with a college or school of pharmacy (e.g., faculty, preceptor) had higher mean self-efficacy scores than participants who were not affiliated (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Most of practicing pharmacists are unaware of PPCP terminology. Their confidence in performing tasks associated with PPCP components is relatively high and varies based on PPCP component and practice setting.