Patients’ Perspectives on Pharmaceutical Care Interventions in a Secondary-Care Hospital in Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Survey

TL;DR

This study explores how patients in a Nigerian hospital view pharmacist services, finding high satisfaction but also areas needing improvement.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into patient perspectives on pharmaceutical care in a Nigerian secondary-care hospital.

Findings

Most patients reported high satisfaction with pharmacist services and perceived benefits in understanding their conditions.

Gaps were identified in training on device use and medication administration techniques.

Educational level and income were associated with overall satisfaction with pharmaceutical care.

Abstract

Background

Pharmaceutical care aims to optimize medication use and improve patient outcomes through pharmacist-led interventions. Evidence on patients' perspectives on such services remains limited in many hospital settings in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), such as Nigeria.

Objective

This study aims to assess patients' satisfaction with pharmacists' services, the perceived impact of pharmacist-led interventions, and patient-reported gaps in pharmaceutical care service delivery in a secondary-care hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional survey using convenience sampling was conducted among adult patients with chronic conditions attending specialist outpatient clinics and obtaining medicines from the hospital pharmacy (June-July 2017). A structured, paper-based questionnaire was developed and used to assess satisfaction with pharmacy services and the perceived impact of pharmacist interventions. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and chi-square tests explored associations between patient characteristics and overall satisfaction with pharmaceutical care activities (p < 0.05).

Results

Of the 110 questionnaires distributed, 103 (93.6%) were complete and analyzed. Overall satisfaction with pharmacist services was reported by 86 (83.5%) respondents. Most respondents (89, 86.4%) reported that pharmacists demonstrated sufficient knowledge, and 87 (84.5%) of them reported that pharmacists helped to improve their understanding of their medical condition. Reported impacts of pharmacist interventions included support for self-management (80, 77.7%), guidance on dietary adjustments (81, 78.6%), and lifestyle modifications (69, 67.0%). Counselling on foods to avoid and medicines to avoid was reported by 84 respondents (81.6%) for each of these interventions. Fewer respondents reported receiving instruction on device use or medication administration techniques (24, 23.3%), while approximately half (52, 50.5%) indicated receiving education on clinical goals, most commonly blood pressure targets (41, 39.8%). Pharmacist counseling was perceived to prevent medication discontinuation by 44 (42.7%) respondents, and educational level (p = 0.015) and monthly income (p = 0.035) were associated with overall satisfaction.

Conclusion

Patients reported high satisfaction and substantial perceived educational and supportive benefits from pharmacist services; however, gaps were noted in device or medication-administration training, and education on desired clinical goals. Strengthening structured counseling and practical demonstration components may further improve pharmaceutical care delivery.