Obtaining consensus regarding patient-centred professionalism in community pharmacy : nominal group work activity with professionals, stakeholders and members of the public

Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop a ranked thematic list encompassing the positive and negative exemplars of patient-centred professionalism in community pharmacy. Methods: An adapted Nominal Group Work (NGW) method was used in six individual consultation workshops (two with established pharmacists, one with newly qualified pharmacists, one with pharmacy staff, one with stakeholders and one with members of the public) followed by a mixed-group forum event. Key findings: Each of the six workshops resulted in the production of approximately 10 positive and 10 negative exemplars of patient-centred professionalism. The thematization of these exemplars allowed the development of 11 broad themes. The mixed-group forum event then provided a mechanism for ranking the importance of these themes. Safety, professional characteristics and relationships with patients were ranked as the most important themes by our study participants. Conclusions: The adapted NGW was a useful method to allow the development of a ranked thematic list that illustrated the important positive and negative exemplars of patient-centred professionalism in community pharmacy.10 page(s