Abstract
Objective: Many studies on patient satisfaction are conducted in community pharmacies. In contrast, the present study assess the community pharmacy function and to the best of our knowledge, appears to be the first to evaluate the professional functions of pharmacists.
Methods: In September 2010, in 1 week, we conducted a survey that focused on pharmacists’ professional abilities. I subjected the responses to factor analysis and covariance structure analysis.
Results: We obtained 2,506 effective responses (appropriately completed and returned questionnaires) of the 4,633 questionnaires originally distributed. Data of seven dimensions were obtained for factor analysis. In all, the various information provision services rendered by a pharmacist were not significant. According to the covariance structure analysis, “safety” (a pharmaceutical management item) and “responsiveness” (a complimentary element) were significant factors. Differences in the degree of influence were confirmed for each parameter in the analysis, depending on the parameter. In addition, the information provision services were significant during the acute period.
Conclusion: Because the information provision services were not significant, the influence of “asymmetric information” warrant further analysis according to the specialty. I believe that it is necessary to examine asymmetric information in greater detail in the future. In addition, I think that an interventional study that is based on these results is also necessary.
