Investigating practice integration of independent prescribing by community pharmacists using normalization process theory: a cross-sectional survey.

Karim, L.; McIntosh, T.; Jebara, T.; Pfleger, D.; Osprey, A.; Cunningham, S.

Abstract

Independent prescribing (IP) has not been extensively investigated in community pharmacy (CP). Normalization Process Theory (NPT) constructs help explain how interventions are integrated into practice and include: 'coherence' (understanding), 'cognitive participation' (what promotes engagement), 'collective action' (integration with existing systems), and 'reflexive monitoring' (evaluation). To use NPT to investigate the integration of pharmacist IP in CP. NHS Scotland Pharmacy First Plus (PFP) is a community pharmacy IP service. Questionnaire items were developed using the NPT derived Normalisation MeAsure Development (NoMAD) tool for an online survey of all PFP IP pharmacists. Demographic data were analysed descriptively and scale scores (calculated from item scores for the 4 NPT constructs) were used for inferential analysis. There was a 73% (88/120) response rate. Greater than 90% 'strongly agreed'/'agreed' to NoMAD items relating to most NPT constructs. However, responses to 'collective action' items were diverse with more participants answering 'neither agree nor disagree' or 'disagree'. A statistically significant difference in NPT construct scale scores with significant p-values (ranging from p < 0.001 to p = 0.033) was shown on all the NPT constructs for the variable 'On average, how often do you consult with patients under the PFP service?'. This theory-based work offers perspectives on IP integration within CP. Despite its geographic focus this work offers insights relevant to wider contexts on IP integration. It shows 'collective action' focused 'organisation' and 'group process' challenges with a need for further work on staff training, resource availability and utilisation, working relationships, communication and management.

Citation

KARIM, L., MCINTOSH, T., JEBARA, T., PFLEGER, D., OSPREY, A. and CUNNINGHAM, S. 2024. Investigating practice integration of independent prescribing by community pharmacists using normalization process theory: a cross-sectional survey. International journal of clinical pharmacy [online], 46(4), pages 966-976. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-024-01733-x

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 25, 2024
• Online Publication Date: May 14, 2024
• Publication Date: Aug 31, 2024
• Deposit Date: Apr 26, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 26, 2024
• Journal: International journal of clinical pharmacy
• Print ISSN: 2210-7703
• Electronic ISSN: 2210-7711
• Publisher: Springer
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 46
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 966-976
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-024-01733-x
• Keywords: Community pharmacy services; Implementation science; Non-medical prescribing; Pharmaceutical services; Systems theory
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/2308109
• Additional Information: The preprint for this article has been posted to Research Square: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3938790/v1; This article has been published with separate supporting information. This supporting information has been incorporated into a single file on this repository and can be found at the end of the file associated with this output.