Perspectives of pharmacists and patients on pharmacist services to improve medication adherence among patients with diabetes in Indonesia

Pharmacists’ role in diabetes care is developing in improving medication adherence. Implementation of pharmacist services needs to consider patients’ and pharmacists’ perspectives as service users and providers, respectively. Therefore, this study investigates both perspectives on suitable pharmacist services to improve medication adherence in Indonesia. This study used data collected based on open-ended survey questions, which were part of a survey among 917 patients and 99 pharmacists in community health centres (CHCs) and three hospitals in Surabaya, Indonesia. The open-ended questions aimed to elicit the perspective of patients and pharmacists on pharmacist services. The data were digitally recorded, transcribed and analysed in Atlas.ti 9th software using a pre-defined coding book. The data were then quantified. Most patients indicated they did not need services to improve medication adherence (67.25% CHCs vs. 63.06% hospitals). Those who did need services mostly preferred educational-based pharmacist services. This was also pharmacists’ most frequently mentioned service (45.45%). Consultation/counselling was the most common service to improve adherence according to pharmacists (66.67%) and patients (15.53% CHCs vs. 19.89% hospitals). Reminders about medication use and providing discussion sessions/seminars, and home care were other options mentioned. Limited human resources, time and pharmacists’ high workload were the most commonly identified barriers to implementing the desired pharmacist services. Patients and pharmacists had similar perspectives on the desired services to improve medication adherence, especially educational-based services and consultation/counselling. Barriers to implementing services should be considered when evaluating the current practice and preparing for pharmacists’ future role in patient care.