Pharmacist Perceptions and Future Scope of Telepharmacy in New Zealand: A Qualitative Exploration.

Abstract

Background: Telepharmacy is the delivery of pharmacy services through telecommunications technology when patients and pharmacists are separated by physical distance. Falling under the broader term of telehealth, telepharmacy has been adopted globally and proved invaluable during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective: The study is aimed at investigating New Zealand pharmacists' perceptions of telepharmacy adoption and assessing its potential impact on their future scope of practice. Methods: New Zealand registered pharmacists were recruited through convenience sampling to participate in semistructured interviews conducted between July and August 2022. Interviews were transcribed and coded with NVivo and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis to develop themes. Themes and subthemes were mapped to the Clinical Adoption Framework (CAF) to interpret the findings. Results: From 23 participants, 70% were community pharmacists. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated telepharmacy adoption in New Zealand and most pharmacists perceived it as convenient and beneficial to increase access to pharmacy services. Barriers such as the lack of resources, technology issues, inadequate remuneration, and existing legislation were highlighted, as was the need for better staff training, patient education, better access to technology, regulatory reforms, and integration with existing services. Conclusion: There is a need for reforms and initiatives for sustainable and equitable telehealth use in New Zealand. While preparing for digital infrastructure and capabilities presents challenges, this investment can transform pharmacy practice in the long term, benefiting both patients and pharmacy professionals.