A framework for evaluating the work of pharmacists.

This article reviews the major appraisal methods used in health care organizations and offers a competing "systems model" for conducting performance appraisals in pharmacy departments. The value of the proposed appraisal system is that it reminds management not to view the area of performance appraisal as "keep it simple." Rather, management should recognize that performance appraisal should be viewed as a system (more correctly, a subsystem) that interacts with and affects all parts of a pharmacy department's drug use system. The performance appraisal system is complex and dynamic, requiring a significant resource commitment from management and all workers within the department.