Pharmaceutical Care provision from the pharmacist's perspective: A qualitative study in Belgian and Cuban contexts

ABSTRACT

Background: Over the past decades, the qualitative research approach has played a crucial role in supporting the adoption of Pharmaceutical Care (PhC) and offers a valuable approach to explore health issues from a social and cultural perspective. It delves into attitudes, perceptions, behaviours, beliefs, and social representations related to health phenomena. Objective: To explore the experiences, insights and outlook of pharmacists regarding the development of PhC in daily practice in Belgium and Cuba. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. Thematic content analysis was used. Themes emerged by examining key phrases in the interviewees' responses. Results: Fifteen interviews with 18 professionals in Belgium and 10 interviews from Cuba were conducted. In total, 18 themes emerged from the Belgian and Cubans interviewees, 12 common themes and six non-overlapping themes. Common issues addressed in both countries include: access to patient records, lack of time, pharmacy staff and private spaces, legal framework, and non-systematic practice of PhC, pharmacists' attitudes, interaction with physicians, the need for collaborative practice, insufficient recording of PhC activity, continuity of care between levels of care. Themes specific to Belgium include the need for remuneration, patient loyalty to a single pharmacy, and quality control of PhC services. Meanwhile, Cuba faces particular challenges such as a lack of materials and technological resources, shortages of medicines, and inadequate administrative support. Conclusion: Both Belgium and Cuba face challenges in implementing pharmaceutical care (PhC). Despite their differences, both countries need to enhance PhC by improving resources, tools, and monitoring. Belgium has made progress in PhC, while Cuba faces resource limitations. The holistic approach to pharmacists' professional perception and practice is still limited.

KEYWORDS

• qualitative research
• pharmaceutical care
• cuba
• belgium
• implementation

Showing references and in-text citations exactly as published.

• DOI10.18549/PharmPract.2025.1.3042Copy

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