Physicians’ Perceptions and Expectations of Pharmacists’ Professional Duties in Government Hospitals in Kuwait

Vol. 15, No. 3, 2006

Free Abstract Article (References) Article (PDF 96 KB)

Original Paper

Physicians' Perceptions and Expectations of Pharmacists' Professional Duties in Government Hospitals in Kuwait
L. Matowe^a, E.A. Abahussain^a, N. Al-Saffar^{a, b}, S.M. Bihzad^c, A. Al-Foraih^c, A.A. Al-Kandery^d

^aDepartment of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kuwait University,
^bPharmaceutical Services Administration, Ministry of Health,
^cMubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital,
^dAdan Hospital, Ministry of Health, Kuwait

Address of Corresponding Author

Med Princ Pract 2006;15:185-189 (DOI: 10.1159/000092179)

Key Words

Physician-pharmacist relationships
Physicians' expectations of pharmacists
Clinical pharmacy services in Kuwait

Abstract

Objective:The objectives of this study were to evaluate the perceptions, expectations and experience of physicians with hospital-based pharmacists in Kuwait. Materials and Methods: A piloted self-administered questionnaire was hand delivered to 200 physicians practicing in four government hospitals in Kuwait. Main sections of the questionnaire comprised a series of statements pertaining to physicians' perceptions, expectations and experiences with pharmacists. Results: One hundred and twenty (60%) questionnaires were returned. At least 57% of physicians in Kuwait appear comfortable with pharmacists carrying out patient-directed roles. In addition, they appeared to have high expectations of pharmacists, with 79% of them regarding pharmacists as knowledgeable drug therapy experts. Less than 60% considered pharmacists as applying their drug knowledge in practice and only 29% agreed that pharmacists routinely counselled their patients. There was no correlation between physician variables such as number of years since graduation from medical school, age, area of practice and their perceptions of pharmacists. Conclusion: Physicians in Kuwait appear comfortable with pharmacists providing a broad range of services but appear somewhat less comfortable with pharmacists' provision of direct patient care. Physicians considered pharmacists knowledgeable drug therapy experts, but regarded them as not routinely providing a broad range of higher-level pharmacy services.

Author Contacts

Dr. Nabeel Al-Saffar
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kuwait University
P.O. Box 24923
Safat 13110 (Kuwait)
Tel. +965 498 6897, Fax +965 498 6840, E-Mail alsaffar@hsc.edu.kw

Article Information

Received: December 19, 2004
Revised: October 2, 2005
Number of Print Pages : 5
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 5, Number of References : 26

Medline Abstract (ID 16651833)

Download Citation

This journal is part of the second subject package of the Karger

Journal Archive Collection

Information on packages (PDF)
Free sample issues

For non-native English speakers and international authors who would like assistance with their writing before submission, we suggest American Journal Experts for their scientific editing service.