Knowledge, attitude and practice of pharmacists on medication therapy management: a survey in Hospital Pulau Pinang, Penang, Malaysia

Abstract

Background: Medication therapy management (MTM) service provides set of clinical activities to optimize therapeutic outcomes for patients. It requires the collaboration between patient, pharmacist and other healthcare providers to ensure safe and effective use of medicines. The objective of the current study was to assess Hospital Pulau Pinang pharmacists' knowledge, attitude and practice on MTM service.

Methods: A self-administrated validated survey was carried out among all pharmacists working at Hospital Pulau Pinang.

Results: A total of 93 pharmacists out of 130 (71.5%) were included in the study (61.3% between the age of 20-30 years old, 74.2% female, 68.8% Chinese, 88.2% holding bachelor's degree and 48.4% working in medication therapy adherence clinic and outpatient pharmacy). Majority of pharmacists had a high level of knowledge and positive attitudes regarding MTM service. All pharmacists agreed that MTM service could improve the quality of health services and most pharmacists were interested in providing MTM service (92.5%). Moreover, 95.7% were interested in acquiring more information about MTM service. About the barriers that might affect MTM service implementation, the most common barriers identified by pharmacists were lack of training (88.2%), need of high budget to implement MTM service (51.6%) and lack of time (46.2%).

Conclusions: Overall, the research findings provide some insights about the Hospital Pulau Pinang pharmacists' knowledge, attitude and practice regarding MTM service. Majority of pharmacists agreed and showed their interest towards the implementation of MTM service.

Keywords: Clinical pharmacy; Hospital pharmacy practice; Medication therapy adherence clinic; Medication therapy management; Pharmaceutical services; Pharmacy practice.