Research is ‘a step into the unknown’: an exploration of pharmacists’ perceptions of factors impacting on research participation in the NHS

Objective This study explored National Health Service (NHS) pharmacists’ perceptions and experiences of pharmacist-led research in the workplace. Design Semistructured, face-to-face discussions continued until distinct clusters of opinion characteristics formed. Verbatim transcripts of audio-recordings were subjected to framework analysis. Setting Interviews were carried out with 54 pharmacists with diverse backgrounds and roles from general practices and secondary care in the UK's largest health authority. Results The purpose and potential of health services research (HSR) was understood and acknowledged to be worthwhile by participants, but a combination of individual and system-related themes tended to make participation difficult, except when this was part of formal postgraduate education leading to a qualification. Lack of prioritisation was routinely cited as the greatest barrier, with motivation, confidence and competence as additional impediments. System-related themes included lack of practical support and pharmacy professional issues. A minority of highly motivated individuals managed to embed research participation into routine activity. Conclusions Most pharmacists realised the desirability and necessity of research to underpin pharmacy service expansion, but a combination of individual and professional level changes is needed to increase activity. Our findings provide a starting point for better understanding the mindset of hospital-based and general practice-based pharmacists towards research, as well as their perceived barriers and supports.

[1]  Deborah E. White,et al.  Thematic Analysis , 2017 .

[2]  A. McConnachie,et al.  A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial of a Pharmacist-Led Collaborative Intervention to Improve Statin Prescribing and Attainment of Cholesterol Targets in Primary Care , 2014, PloS one.

[3]  J. Ritchie,et al.  Qualitative Research Practice: A Guide for Social Science Students and Researchers , 2013 .

[4]  Stephanie Tierney,et al.  Using Framework Analysis in nursing research: a worked example. , 2013, Journal of advanced nursing.

[5]  G. Barton,et al.  Are pharmacy-based minor ailment schemes a substitute for other service providers? A systematic review. , 2013, The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners.

[6]  K. Lefevre,et al.  Provision of hormonal and long-acting reversible contraceptive services by general practices in Scotland, UK (2004–2009) , 2013, Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care.

[7]  T. Kanjanarach,et al.  Thai Pharmacists’ Attitudes and Experiences of Research , 2012 .

[8]  J. McMurray,et al.  Pharmacist intervention in primary care to improve outcomes in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction. , 2012, European heart journal.

[9]  A. Thompson,et al.  Qualitative research methods in mental health and psychotherapy: A guide for students and practitioners , 2011, QMiP Bulletin.

[10]  A. Pollock,et al.  Community pharmacy: moving from dispensing to diagnosis and treatment , 2010, BMJ : British Medical Journal.

[11]  S. Parmar,et al.  Community pharmacy contribution to weight management: identifying opportunities , 2010, The International journal of pharmacy practice.

[12]  S. Jackson,et al.  Attitudes of Australian pharmacists towards practice‐based research , 2009, Journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics.

[13]  B. Allen,et al.  A decade of investment in research capacity building in pharmacy: Maintaining the momentum , 2009, The International journal of pharmacy practice.

[14]  J. Krska,et al.  How have the Pharmacy Practice Research Trust grants supported the development of research capacity? , 2009, The International journal of pharmacy practice.

[15]  N. Edwards,et al.  Building capacity for nurse-led research. , 2009, International nursing review.

[16]  C. Bond,et al.  Assessing and prioritizing the preferences of injecting drug users in needle and syringe exchange service development. , 2008, Journal of public health.

[17]  C. Matheson,et al.  Barriers to the provision of needle‐exchange services: a qualitative study in community pharmacies , 2008 .

[18]  M. Eccles,et al.  Structured career pathways in academic primary care. , 2007, Family practice.

[19]  I. Krass,et al.  Pharmacists’ views on involvement in pharmacy practice research: Strategies for facilitating participation , 2007, Pharmacy practice.

[20]  C. Dowrick,et al.  Peering through the barriers in GPs' explanations for declining to participate in research: the role of professional autonomy and the economy of time. , 2007, Family practice.

[21]  B. Saini,et al.  Factors influencing Australian community pharmacists' willingness to participate in research projects ‐ an exploratory study , 2006 .

[22]  J. Elliott,et al.  What happens next? Evaluation of a scheme to support primary care practitioners with a fledgling interest in research. , 2004, Family practice.

[23]  A. Howe Is primary care research a lost cause? , 2003, The Lancet.

[24]  L. Spencer,et al.  Qualitative data analysis for applied policy research , 2002 .

[25]  Jeffrey A. Johnson,et al.  Practice‐Based Research: Lessons from Community Pharmacist Participants , 2001, Pharmacotherapy.

[26]  K. Rosenbloom,et al.  Community pharmacists' attitudes towards research , 2000 .

[27]  P. Donnan,et al.  Repeat prescribing: a role for community pharmacists in controlling and monitoring repeat prescriptions. , 2000, The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners.

[28]  P. Donnan,et al.  Training pharmacists and pharmacy assistants in the stage-of-change model of smoking cessation: a randomised controlled trial in Scotland , 1998, Tobacco control.

[29]  G. Davies,et al.  Pharmacy practice research in the hospitals of South East Thames regional health authority, England , 1993 .

[30]  S Adam,et al.  A research and development strategy for the NHS. , 1992, Journal of public health medicine.

[31]  Michael Peckham,et al.  Research and development for the National Health Service , 1991, The Lancet.

[32]  P. Biernacki,et al.  Snowball Sampling: Problems and Techniques of Chain Referral Sampling , 1981 .

[33]  Liquor Opii,et al.  Pharmacy , 1837, The British and foreign medical review.

[34]  C. Fischbacher,et al.  The impact of Keep Well: an evaluation of the Keep Well programme from 2006 to 2012 , 2014 .

[35]  E. Kennington,et al.  What are the benefits for pharmacists of engaging in practice research , 2010 .

[36]  E. Kennington,et al.  Pharmacy practice research has an impact on each and every pharmacist , 2010 .

[37]  A. Blenkinsopp,et al.  The contribution of community pharmacy to improving the public’s health: summary report of the literature review 1990–2007 , 2009 .

[38]  R. W. Holland,et al.  Transitions in pharmacy practice, part 5: walking the tightrope of change. , 2000, American journal of health-system pharmacy : AJHP : official journal of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

[39]  T. MacDonald,et al.  CAPTURING DATA ON OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICINES IN COMMUNITY PHARMACIES : A METHODOLOGICAL STUDY , 1997 .

[40]  M. Marshall Sampling for qualitative research. , 1996, Family practice.

[41]  H. Liddell ATTITUDES OF COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS REGARDING INVOLVEMENT IN PRACTICE RESEARCH , 1996 .

[42]  A. Winfield,et al.  THE LEVEL OF INTEREST IN PHARMACY PRACTICE RESEARCH AMONG COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS , 1993 .

[43]  Phil P. Manning,et al.  Analysis of Practice , 1987 .

[44]  John S. Mills,et al.  12 – Analysis in practice , 1987 .