The structural and process aspects of pharmacy quality: older adults' perceptions.

backgroundPatients are increasingly playing an active role in healthcare and their definitions of healthcare quality are becoming more important to understand. The Donabedian model has been used to understand patients’ perceptions of quality in healthcare settings including hospitals and nursing homes; no research has applied the model to understand patients’ perceptions of pharmacy quality.

objectiveTo describe older adults’ perception of a quality pharmacy including their expectations of a quality pharmacy and their preferences in a quality pharmacy.

settingSix focus groups held in community centers and senior residence facilities in Wisconsin.

methodsThe design was a descriptive, exploratory study. Participants were adults 65 years and older who filled a prescription at a community pharmacy in the 90 days prior to being contacted. Donabedian’s assessment of healthcare quality based on ‘structure,’ ‘process’ and ‘outcome’ was used to organize and categorize the focus group themes.

main outcome measureThe focus groups explored older adults’ perceptions and expectations of a quality pharmacy. The factors that influenced their pharmacy choice were also examined. Results The older adults’ description of a quality pharmacy was based on the ‘structure’ and ‘process’ domain of the Donabedian model. However, most responses were focused on the ‘process’ domains and related to the application of patient-centered care (e.g., pharmacist interaction and communication) versus the structure domains (e.g., staff availability). The most frequently reported factor in the choice of pharmacies was the pharmacy’s location with some participants also reporting that their relationship and rapport with the pharmacist were also important. Older adults’ expectations were focused on the ‘process’ features of quality, including the provision of medication-related information, and the pharmacist facilitating medication safety and medication adherence.

conclusionsIn describing pharmacy quality, older adults mostly refer to the ‘process’ aspects of quality. Older adults perceive a quality pharmacy as one where the pharmacist provides patient-centered care. While location is important in pharmacy choices, the pharmacist’s patient-centeredness, and the quality features of the pharmacy are also relevant. Older adults’ expectations were related to their perception of a quality pharmacy. Pharmacists should publicize their pharmacies’ ‘process’ features in quality reporting systems.