The service was established in response to evidence which reports between 14 and 87% discrepancies in patients’ medicines following discharge from hospital.1 The aim of the studies were to capture CPs and HPs’ views about the DMR scheme. Study approval was granted from six Health Boards’ (HB) Research and Development Offices. Two questionnaires were developed; one for CPs and another for HPs. Content-setting for the questionnaires were informed by semi-structured interviews (seven CPs and six HPs). Both questionnaires ascertained:
the pharmacist’s engagement with the scheme, the discharge information provided and how it was communicated, barriers and facilitators to implementing DMRs and suggestions to overcome the barriers. In addition the CP selleck screening library Selleckchem PI3K Inhibitor Library questionnaire asked pharmacists views about the service and how it has impacted on patient care. The questionnaires
were piloted (9 CPs and 10HPs) and distributed electronically, in December 2013 to all CPs in Wales (n = 704) and in January 2014 to 369 HPs, using Survey Monkey®. Reminders were issued via e-mail. Data were analysed in Microsoft Excel® and Word®. The CPs questionnaire obtained a response rate of 20% (n = 143). In the last month, 22% had undertaken two to three DMRs and 41% had not undertaken any. Overall, pharmacists’ views about the service were positive, stating they contributed more to patient care (85%) and were ‘doing something for the patient’ (84%). Over half (51%) stated discrepancies identified were ‘significant’. Specific barriers reported were: not knowing when the patient is discharged (78%), lack of access to discharge information (58%), lack of referral of patients Etofibrate (48%) and the nature of the DMR paperwork (44%). Over 80% of
respondents called for discharge medicines information to be sent to the pharmacy or to enable access to electronic discharge information. The HPs questionnaire obtained a response rate of 25% (n = 94). Only 60% of respondents had ever referred a patient for a DMR. The main barriers identified were: other priorities within the hospital service (52%), lack of IT infrastructure (49%) and lack of promotion of the service to hospital pharmacists (42%) and patients (41%). Methods of communicating with CPs varied depending upon whether the patient required a compliance aid. In addition to rectifying the barriers identified, the main suggestion was for hospitals to receive feedback on their local DMR service (38%). Although the response rates for the two questionnaires were low, the results identified barriers to implementing the scheme and potential solutions. It also identified that some CPs and HPs are engaged with the process, while others are not.