Integration of a clinical pharmacist workforce into newly forming primary care networks: a qualitatively driven, complex systems analysis

Mills, Tom, Madden, Mary, Stewart, Duncan, Gough, Brendan and McCambridge, Jim (2022) Integration of a clinical pharmacist workforce into newly forming primary care networks: a qualitatively driven, complex systems analysis. BMJ Open, 12 (11). pp. 1-9. ISSN 2044-6055

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Abstract / Description

Objective:
The introduction of a new clinical pharmacist workforce via Primary Care Networks (PCNs) is a recent national policy development in the National Health Service in England. This study elicits the perspectives of people with responsibility for local implementation of this national policy package. Attention to local delivery is necessary to understand the contextual factors shaping the integration of the new clinical pharmacy workforce, and thus can be expected to influence future role development.

Design:
A qualitative, interview study.

Setting and participants:
PCN Clinical Directors and senior pharmacists across 17 PCNs in England (n=28).

Analysis:
Interviews were transcribed, coded and organised using the framework method. Thematic analysis and complex systems modelling were then undertaken iteratively to develop the themes.

Results:
Findings were organised into two overarching themes: (1) local organisational innovations of a national policy under conditions of uncertainty; and (2) local multiprofessional decision-making on clinical pharmacy workforce integration and initial task assignment. Although a phased implementation of the PCN package was planned, the findings suggest that processes of PCN formation and clinical pharmacist workforce integration were closely intertwined, with underpinning decisions taking place under conditions of considerable uncertainty and workforce pressures.

Conclusions:
National policy decisions that required General Practitioners to form PCNs at the same time as they integrated a new workforce risked undermining the potential of both PCNs and the new workforce. PCNs require time and support to fully form and integrate clinical pharmacists if successful role development is to occur. Efforts to incentivise delivery of PCN pharmacy services in future must be responsive to local capacity.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	clinical pharmacist workforce; primary care networks (PCNs); National Health Service (NHS); England; national policy
Subjects:	300 Social sciences > 360 Social problems & services; associations 600 Technology > 610 Medicine & health
Department:	School of Social Sciences and Professions
Depositing User:	Duncan Stewart
Date Deposited:	08 Nov 2022 09:39
Last Modified:	11 Nov 2022 12:36
URI:	https://repository.londonmet.ac.uk/id/eprint/8017

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