The integration of hospital pharmacists into primary care settings in Shenzhen, China: a qualitative study
Abstract Background Integrating hospital pharmacists into primary care settings can enhance the quality of patient care. However, the challenges vary across countries. China has piloted such collaborations between hospital pharmacists and primary care practitioners in recent years, but research on t...
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BMC
2025-02-01
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| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12351-2 |
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| author | Zhiling Deng Pengxiang Zhou Yiting Lu Zhengrong Li Mi Yao Yang Li Chuan Zou Haixin Li Songtao Cai Yi Guo Yuling Tong Yang Zhao Zhijie Xu |
| author_facet | Zhiling Deng Pengxiang Zhou Yiting Lu Zhengrong Li Mi Yao Yang Li Chuan Zou Haixin Li Songtao Cai Yi Guo Yuling Tong Yang Zhao Zhijie Xu |
| author_sort | Zhiling Deng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Integrating hospital pharmacists into primary care settings can enhance the quality of patient care. However, the challenges vary across countries. China has piloted such collaborations between hospital pharmacists and primary care practitioners in recent years, but research on this subject is limited. This study aims to examine the integration of hospital pharmacists into primary care settings in Shenzhen, China, and identify the perceived barriers and facilitators. Methods From May 1 to November 30, 2022, a qualitative study gathered key informant interviews and on-site observations at three community health centers (CHCs) in Shenzhen. Two researchers collected the data, and all interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using a thematic approach. Results Seventeen key informants were recruited (eight hospital pharmacists, six GPs, and three health administrators), most of whom were women (n = 11). Hospital pharmacists mainly conduct medication reviews and consultations in clinics or pharmacies of CHCs and engage in home visits with GPs in a few cases. Barriers to their integration include pharmacists’ inadequate competency, a lack of patient recognition, GPs’ resistance, and insufficient technological support. Patient needs, incentive systems, administrative leadership, social media use, and colocation were identified as facilitators of integration. Conclusion While unique opportunities may exist for primary care settings to improve patient care by integrating hospital pharmacists, it is essential to address the barriers stemming from individuals and the health system. Efforts should focus on the targeted training of pharmacists’ practical skills, strategic campaigns to raise awareness among the public and healthcare providers, and policy-led efforts to foster technological progress. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-05d495c13d9046c0a857445a9cb2da5a |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-05d495c13d9046c0a857445a9cb2da5a2025-02-09T12:26:57ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632025-02-0125111310.1186/s12913-025-12351-2The integration of hospital pharmacists into primary care settings in Shenzhen, China: a qualitative studyZhiling Deng0Pengxiang Zhou1Yiting Lu2Zhengrong Li3Mi Yao4Yang Li5Chuan Zou6Haixin Li7Songtao Cai8Yi Guo9Yuling Tong10Yang Zhao11Zhijie Xu12Licun Community Health Service Center, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityDepartment of Pharmacy, Peking University Third HospitalDepartment of General Practice, Tongji University School of MedicineDepartment of Pharmacy, Linyi People’s HospitalDepartment of General Practice, Peking University First HospitalDepartment of General Practice, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of MedicineDepartment of General Practice, Chengdu Fifth People’s HospitalDepartment of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong UniversityDepartment of General Practice, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Longgang District People’s Hospital of ShenzhenDepartment of General Practice, The Second Affiliated Hospital,, Zhejiang University School of MedicineDepartment of General Practice, The Second Affiliated Hospital,, Zhejiang University School of MedicineThe George Institute for Global Health, University of New South WalesDepartment of General Practice, The Second Affiliated Hospital,, Zhejiang University School of MedicineAbstract Background Integrating hospital pharmacists into primary care settings can enhance the quality of patient care. However, the challenges vary across countries. China has piloted such collaborations between hospital pharmacists and primary care practitioners in recent years, but research on this subject is limited. This study aims to examine the integration of hospital pharmacists into primary care settings in Shenzhen, China, and identify the perceived barriers and facilitators. Methods From May 1 to November 30, 2022, a qualitative study gathered key informant interviews and on-site observations at three community health centers (CHCs) in Shenzhen. Two researchers collected the data, and all interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using a thematic approach. Results Seventeen key informants were recruited (eight hospital pharmacists, six GPs, and three health administrators), most of whom were women (n = 11). Hospital pharmacists mainly conduct medication reviews and consultations in clinics or pharmacies of CHCs and engage in home visits with GPs in a few cases. Barriers to their integration include pharmacists’ inadequate competency, a lack of patient recognition, GPs’ resistance, and insufficient technological support. Patient needs, incentive systems, administrative leadership, social media use, and colocation were identified as facilitators of integration. Conclusion While unique opportunities may exist for primary care settings to improve patient care by integrating hospital pharmacists, it is essential to address the barriers stemming from individuals and the health system. Efforts should focus on the targeted training of pharmacists’ practical skills, strategic campaigns to raise awareness among the public and healthcare providers, and policy-led efforts to foster technological progress.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12351-2Hospital pharmacistPrimary careInterdisciplinary collaborationQualitative research |
| spellingShingle | Zhiling Deng Pengxiang Zhou Yiting Lu Zhengrong Li Mi Yao Yang Li Chuan Zou Haixin Li Songtao Cai Yi Guo Yuling Tong Yang Zhao Zhijie Xu The integration of hospital pharmacists into primary care settings in Shenzhen, China: a qualitative study BMC Health Services Research Hospital pharmacist Primary care Interdisciplinary collaboration Qualitative research |
| title | The integration of hospital pharmacists into primary care settings in Shenzhen, China: a qualitative study |
| title_full | The integration of hospital pharmacists into primary care settings in Shenzhen, China: a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | The integration of hospital pharmacists into primary care settings in Shenzhen, China: a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | The integration of hospital pharmacists into primary care settings in Shenzhen, China: a qualitative study |
| title_short | The integration of hospital pharmacists into primary care settings in Shenzhen, China: a qualitative study |
| title_sort | integration of hospital pharmacists into primary care settings in shenzhen china a qualitative study |
| topic | Hospital pharmacist Primary care Interdisciplinary collaboration Qualitative research |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12351-2 |
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