Attitudes and attributes of pharmacists in relation to practice change - A scoping review and discussion

Abstract

Background: Multiple barriers and facilitators to the uptake of cognitive services in pharmacy practice have been identified. Pharmacists' attitudes and attributes have been described as barriers and facilitators in relation to the uptake of extended pharmacy services, in addition to those of a more systemic nature.

Objectives: To systematically scope and review the literature describing pharmacists' attitudes and attributes in relation to the implementation of cognitive services or role extension and to critically analyze and discuss their relevance as barriers or facilitators.

Method: A scoping review of the literature on attitudes and attributes of pharmacists in relation to pharmacy practice was performed, including 47 articles on attitudes and 12 on attributes, forming the basis for a critical analysis within theoretical frameworks.

Results: Pharmacists' attitudes toward role extensions and new pharmacy service models are generally positive and their personal attributes and personality traits appear favorable for roles as health professionals. Pharmacists perceived a number of barriers to the uptake of extended roles.

Conclusion: Pharmacists' attributes, including personality traits, and attitudes favor the implementation of cognitive and patient-focused health care services and should not be regarded as major barriers to the uptake of extended pharmacy practice roles. Framing their attitudes and attributes within the theories of planned behavior and personality trait theories indicates that individual motivation needs to be underscored by systemic support for pharmacy practice change to succeed on a wide scale.

Keywords: Attitude; Attribute; Cognitive pharmaceutical services; Personality trait; Pharmaceutical care; Pharmacist.