Research Article Open Access

Validation of a Patient-Pharmacist Relationship Measurement Tool in Lebanon

Abstract

Objectives: There is a Lack of previous evidence that measure patient-pharmacist relationship based on a theoretical framework. The aim of this study is to validate a measurement tool aid to measure the patient-pharmacist relationship in Lebanon based on a previously established conceptual model.

Methods: A cross sectional study, conducted in all districts in Lebanon between January and April 2016, included 565 patients.

Results: Patient perception, level of expectation and reasons for visiting the pharmacy were all significantly and highly correlated between them (0.799<r<0.878) (p<0.05 for all). High Cronbach’s alphas were found for level of expectation full scale (0.921) and the following factors: patient perception (0.926), the main reason for visiting back for the pharmacy (positive reactions) (0.804) and barriers for asking questions (negative reactions) (0.755).\

Conclusion: Our results show that the level of expectation of the patient is heightened when the perceived image of the pharmacist is enhanced. This affects the negative and positive reactions accordingly. Role change should be identified as a priority. Both increased quality of the patient-pharmacist relationship and pharmacist expertise will lead to an enhanced patient satisfaction, which may ultimately lead to better patient medication adherence. The results of this study will aid researchers or the Lebanese Order of pharmacists to tackle specific dimensions that highly affect the patient-pharmacist relationship and public expectations from the Lebanese pharmacist.

Etwal Bou Raad, Souheil Hallit, Katia Iskandar, Rony Zeenny and Pascale Salameh

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