Professional relationship with pharmacists: Patient preferences and relationship to health characteristics and willingness to accept services.

BACKGROUND

Understanding factors contributing to professional relationships between patients and pharmacists, and the patient desired relationship, can inform how to best reach patients to improve health.

OBJECTIVES

Explore relationships between actual and desired patient-pharmacist relationship and identify the association between current patient-pharmacist relationship and health characteristics, acceptance of services, and satisfaction with pharmacy.

METHODS

A survey of adults (18+ years) was completed with a convenience sample at the 2024 Minnesota State Fair. Select items from the National Consumer Survey on the Medication Experience were used. In addition, 3 archetypes of patient-pharmacist relationships (Customer, Client, or Partner) were determined.

RESULTS

Of 524 survey responses, 71.8% of participants desired a professional relationship with a pharmacist. Between 46 and 82% have a current relationship matching their preferred relationship, and respondents were more likely to prefer a closer professional relationship. The relationship between current pharmacist and satisfaction with their pharmacy, and number of prescriptions was statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

The majority of respondents desired a professional relationship with a pharmacist, and most desire a closer professional relationship than current. Patients with closer professional relationships were more likely to accept pharmacist services.