Providing pharmaceutical care in community practice: Differences between providers and non-providers of pharmaceutical care

Ten providers of pharmaceutical care and ten non-providers of pharmaceutical care were interviewed in an exploratory investigation to identify factors these two groups of pharmacists believe influence their behavior relative to the provision of pharmaceutical care. The factors that emerged from the study as influencing both providers' and non-providers' behavior were similar but with different views. These factors are: physical lay-out of pharmacy, qualified personnel, practice orientation, patient expectation, physician cooperation, computer support, patient medical information, and competency. The difference between providers of pharmaceutical care and non-providers is evident from the factors identified in this study. Using this information, it is possible to design strategic steps to help pharmacists who are currently not providing pharmaceutical care improve their practice.