ATTITUDE OF PRACTICING AND STUDENT HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS TOWARDS DOCTOR OF PHARMACY (PHARM D) PROGRAM AND CLINICAL PHARMACISTS IN SOUTH INDIA – AN INTERDISCIPLINARY, MULTI-CENTERED, CROSS-SECTIONAL EVALUATION

Abstract

Background: The purpose of the study was to analyze the attitudes of practicing and student healthcare providers towards Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D) students and clinical pharmacists in India. A cross-sectional, structured, self-administered questionnaire-based survey was conducted at randomly selected hospitals and educational institutions in four southern states of India. A total of 379 participants (214 healthcare providers and 165 students) in eight institutions were asked to complete the questionnaire over a period of six months. The responses were collected and analyzed to assess the attitudes of study population regarding the Pharm D. Course and clinical pharmacist’s roles in the hospital.

Results: More than 60% of the study population agreed that Pharm D. graduates can be designated the role of clinical pharmacist and agreed that they can contribute to decisions regarding drug interactions and adverse drug reaction; have special expertise in counseling the patient; are qualified to respond to drug treatment needs of the patients and can be involved in policy making concerning the hospital pharmacy services, but the respondents responded poorly when asked whether Pharm D’s should monitor the effects of drugs on the patients or when asked whether the physicians should consult clinical pharmacists for any drug-related query.

Conclusion: Overall, there was a positive response from the majority of the study population, but still a few people viewed the role of Pharm D. negatively. This survey emphasizes an urgent need for revising and internationalizing the curriculum of Pharm D and to improve the liaison between the healthcare professionals to meet the demands of the community.