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Abstract

Abstract

Pharmacy practice has recently shifted from medication supply to pharmaceutical care (PC). Pharmacy educators must prepare students to provide PC. Their responsibilities are not only limited to give students knowledge and communication skills but to motivate them to perform PC. The study objectives were to investigate Qatar pharmacy students' attitudes toward PC, to identify the factors that influence their attitudes toward PC, and to recognize their perceived barriers for PC provision.

Qatar University college of pharmacy is the only pharmacy college in Qatar. A cross sectional survey of Qatar University pharmacy students was made. The students completed an online anonymous survey designed based on Standard Pharmaceutical Care Attitudes Survey (PCAS).Data was descriptively analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 18. Influence of sociodemographic characteristics on students' attitudes was assessed using Kendall's tau_b test.

Over 4 weeks, 46 surveys were submitted (90% response rate). All respondents agreed that PC practice is valuable and that the pharmacist primary responsibility is to prevent and resolve medication therapy problems. Most respondents believed that PC provision is professionally rewarding (96% of respondents), and that all pharmacists should provide PC (91%). Highly perceived barriers for PC provision included lack of access to patient medical information (76% of respondents), inadequate drug information sources in the pharmacy (55%) and time constraints (53%). Professional year and practical experience duration were significantly inversely associated with students attitudes (correlation coefficients are −0.30 and −0.37 respectively p <0.05). No statistically significant correlations existed between other characteristics and students attitudes.

Qatar pharmacy students indicated positive attitudes toward PC. However, they perceived several barriers for PC provision. Efforts should be exerted by Qatar's government to help these future pharmacists in overcoming these barriers.

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/content/papers/10.5339/qfarf.2011.BMP2
2011-11-20
2024-03-28
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