Patient experience and expectations with collaborative management between pharmacies and primary care: a qualitative study of a trial (USFarmácia) exit focus group

We aimed to explore patient concerns and behaviors about their health condition, experience with current care, and expectations with the new collaborative care model, and elicit concepts of interest to inform a patient preference study. We conducted a qualitative study using a trial exit face-to-face patient focus group underpinned by thematic analysis using both selective and open coding. Pre-identified codes were used for the concepts identified through preliminary literature review. The sections of text containing these concepts were grouped into pre-defined themes. Sub-themes later emerged from the focus group discussion. The focus group was conducted in Portugal (Figueira da Foz). Patients were recruited from a sample of trial intervention patients who experienced collaborative features. The focus group discussion was audio-recorded, de-identified, transcribed, and thematically analyzed. For this study, we partnered with representatives of a coalition of patient advocacy groups who provided interview guide review, input for the discussion of findings, critical review of the manuscript and publication plans. Eight patients participated in the focus group. Various concepts under the pre-identified themes emerged: awareness prompted by symptoms or medical appointment, level of concern according to health condition; positive experience with pharmacy and some issues in experience with primary care; overall benefits and innovative features most meaningful to patients perceived with the new collaborative care model; and other therapy areas and wider advertising as future improvements. The key concepts that emerged from the trial exit focus group were useful in understanding patients’ concerns, behaviors, and attitudes related to their condition, experience with current care, and expectations with the new collaborative care model. The findings also informed the attributes and levels for a patient preference study. The provisions in the legislation for contractual arrangements with Portuguese pharmacies represent an opportunity to use the insights from the patient’s voice captured in this study to further advance collaborative practice between pharmacies and primary care. Current Controlled Trials (ISRCTN): ISRCTN13410498, retrospectively registered on 12 December 2018: https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN13410498.