Open AccessSurvey of patients' experiences and perceptions of care provided by nurse and pharmacist independent prescribers in primary care
Author(s) -
Tinelli Michela,
Blenkinsopp Alison,
Latter Sue,
Smith Alesha,
Chapman Stephen R
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
health expectations
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.314
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1369-7625
pISSN - 1369-6513
DOI - 10.1111/hex.12099
Subject(s) - pharmacist , primary care , nursing , perception , medicine , nurse practitioners , medline , family medicine , psychology , health care , pharmacy , political science , neuroscience , law
Background In the U nited K ingdom, nurses and pharmacists who have undertaken additional post‐registration training can prescribe medicines for any medical condition within their competence (non‐medical prescribers, NMP s), but little is known about patients' experiences and perceptions of this service. Objective to obtain feedback from primary care patients on the impact of prescribing by nurse independent prescribers ( NIP s) and pharmacist independent prescribers ( PIP s) on experiences of the consultation, the patient–professional relationship, access to medicines, quality of care, choice, knowledge, patient‐reported adherence and control of their condition. Design Two cross‐sectional postal surveys. Setting and participants Patients prescribed for by either NIP s or PIP s in six general practices from different regions in E ngland. Results 30% of patients responded (294/975; 149/525 NIP s; 145/450 PIP s). Most said they were very satisfied with their last visit (94%; 87%), they were told as much as they wanted to know about their medicines (88%; 80%), and felt the independent prescriber really understood their point of view (87%; 75%). They had a good relationship with (89%; 79%) and confidence in (84%; 77%) their NMP . When comparing NMP and doctor prescribing services, most patients reported no difference in their experience of care provided, including access to it, control of condition, support for adherence, quality and safety of care. Discussion and conclusions Patients had positive perceptions and experience from their NMP visit. NMP s were well received, and patients' responses indicated the establishment of rapport. They did not express a strong preference for care provided by either their non‐medical or medical prescriber.