Determination of community pharmacists' patient safety approach using the theory of planned behaviour: a mixed-method study

Summary

Motivation

Community pharmacists are healthcare professionals who check the clinical appropriateness of medicines before being dispensed to patients. This process is known as 'clinical checking' and is intended to ensure the medications are safe and effective [1]. In Jan 2023, the General Pharmaceutical Council identified situations where pharmacy teams provide inadequate risk assessments, consultation documentation, patient medication records, clinical audits, and staff training with respect to community pharmacy clinical services [2]. Hence, it is essential to explore the factors that currently influence community pharmacists’ attitudes, intentions and behaviour towards patient safety: this will help to improve the patient safety culture among community pharmacists. In this context, this study will explore community pharmacists’ attitudes, intentions, and behaviour towards patient safety by using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) as the theoretical framework [3,4]. From the TPB, we can determine community pharmacists’ behaviour towards patient safety. Their behaviour towards patient safety may be defined by their behavioural intentions, which are the reflections of their attitudes, social norms, and perceived behavioural control. Attitudes towards patient safety denote the opinions and ideas of patient safety, and subjective norms towards patient safety denote what people think or what society anticipates [5]. Perceived behavioural control towards patient safety denotes one’s own perceptions of the ability to perform the behaviour.

Underlying aim

The aim of the current study is to investigate community pharmacists’ attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, intentions and behaviour towards patient safety using a TPB framework.

Specific research questions/Methodology

The TPB constructs will be used to investigate four research questions:

(1) What are community pharmacists’ attitudes towards patient safety?

(2) What are community pharmacists’ intentions regarding their ability to perform towards patient safety?

(3) How do community pharmacists perceive social pressure to perform or not to perform towards patient safety?

(4) How do community pharmacists engage in patient safety?

This study adopts a convergent parallel mixed methods design (QUAN + QUAL) involving surveys and in-depth interviews [6].

Impact

This study on community pharmacists' patient safety practices using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) as a framework is aligned with the UK Research Excellence Framework 2028 (REF 2028). This research seeks to address a critical need in the healthcare system, focusing on improving patient safety culture within community pharmacies. It aims to integrate seamlessly with REF 2028 by contributing to several key areas of evaluation and assessment.

Firstly, the study aligns with REF 2028's emphasis on the societal and economic impact of research. Exploring and enhancing patient safety practices in community pharmacies, directly impacts the quality of healthcare delivery, potentially reducing medication errors, and ultimately improving patient well-being. This research may provide valuable insights that can inform tailored interventions and training programs, which align with REF 2028's focus on knowledge exchange and impact beyond academia.

Secondly, this study may contribute to the REF 2028's goal of fostering a culture of continuous improvement. By examining the attitudes, intentions, and behaviour of community pharmacists, it offers evidence-based insights that can be used to develop policies, guidelines, and regulatory frameworks. These outcomes support the development of safer patient care practices within the pharmacy profession and align with REF 2028's objective of promoting accountability and best practices in healthcare.

Finally, this research aligns with REF 2028's ambitions by directly addressing healthcare quality and safety, offering tangible societal benefits, and contributing to the ongoing improvement and accountability within the healthcare profession, ultimately enhancing the research impact of UK institutions participating in the REF 2028 evaluation.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• Practice-based research experience and/or dissemination
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Publications record appropriate to career stage
• Experience of presentation of research findings

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility