Developing the working relationship between general practitioners and community pharmacists

Interprofessional collaboration between community pharmacists and general practitioners is essential for good quality patient care and the efficient use of resources. There will also be resulting benefits for the practitioners involved, in terms of greater professional role satisfaction. Community pharmacist participation in extended professional roles is dependent on acceptance by general practitioners and could be the key to a better working relationship. The aim of this study was to investigate ways of developing the interprofessional relationship by determining the extent and nature of current collaboration, the potential for the developing the working relationship and establishing and evaluating collaborative projects. In order to determine the extent and nature of current collaboration and the potential for developing the working relationship, two investigations were carried out. Firstly, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a random sample of 20 community pharmacists and 20 general practitioners. Secondly, pharmaceutical advisers in post throughout England and Wales were contacted for information about formal current and planned collaborative activities. Two collaborative projects were established and evaluated as a means to explore the professional interface. One project was a locally organised pilot domiciliary pharmaceutical service. The second project involved three pairs of community pharmacists and general practitioners planning and managing their own collaborative initiatives. Collaboration between community pharmacists and general practitioners must focus on patient benefits and there must be resulting benefits for the professionals involved. Facilitation is the way forward for the development of the working relationship. A structured approach will ensure that barriers are minimised, local needs are met, resources are used efficiently and patients benefit. Initial collaborative activities need to focus on areas of practice that are both non-threatening to the core role of the general practitioner and centre on the community pharmacist's expertise, to ensure general practitioner acceptance. All health care professionals need to adapt to a new environment of patient focused care and for community pharmacists this means working closely with general practitioners and creating their own niche within the primary health care team, to ensure their future role in providing good quality patient care