# Experience and practices of doctors towards pharmacist medication reconciliation service in medical wards: a multicentre study in Perak state Malaysia

## TL;DR

This study explores how doctors in Malaysia use and view pharmacist-led medication reconciliation services in hospitals.

## Contribution

The study provides empirical evidence on doctors' experiences and practices with pharmacist-led medication reconciliation in Perak state hospitals.

## Key findings

- Most doctors agreed pharmacists play an integral role in medication reconciliation.
- Doctors frequently relied on pharmacists for medication history assessments during patient admission and discharge.
- Higher practice scores were observed among medical officers and those working in larger wards.

## Abstract

Medication reconciliation is a key responsibility of ward pharmacists, who work closely with doctors. However, little is known about doctors’ practices in the administration of this service.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted with doctors from the medical wards of 14 Perak government hospitals. A validated self-administered questionnaire was used to assess doctors’ demographics, experiences with pharmacist-led medication reconciliation services (13 items) and practices in administering medication reconciliation-related information (8 items). Responses were measured on a 5-point Likert scale.

This study explored doctors’ experiences with and utilisation of medication reconciliation services provided by pharmacists in medical wards. The independent t-test and Kruskal–Wallis test were performed to evaluate the associations between the doctor's sociodemographic backgrounds with their experiences and practices towards pharmacist-led medication reconciliation services.

A total of 209 doctors responded, with more than half of them being female (60.8%) and medical officers (76.6%). Most respondents agreed that ward pharmacists play an integral role (97.6%), perform quality reconciliation (97.2%), and reduce medication errors (97.1%) during medication reconciliation. The majority frequently expected the pharmacists to provide medication history assessments (90.0%), relied on their medication history assessments during prescribing at admission (88.6%) and discharge (89.0%), and collaborated on reconciliation issues (91.8%). Higher practice scores were observed among medical officers (3.89 ± 0.63, p = 0.01) and those aged >30 years (3.9 ± 0.46, p = 0.04), and those working in wards with ≥30 beds (3.94 ± 0.48, p = 0.02).

Doctors demonstrated positive experiences and practices regarding pharmacist-led medication reconciliation services provided by ward pharmacists. These findings suggest that doctors acknowledge the role of pharmacists in medication reconciliation services.