Pharmacists’ Extent of Agreement and Level of Satisfaction on Interprofessional Collaboration with Physicians: Achievement of an Effective Medication Therapy Management in Selected Regions in the Philippines

Over the years, numerous studies have highlighted the pharmacist's importance as a member of the patient care team. Despite this, Interprofessional Collaboration between physicians and pharmacists appears to be uncommon in ordinary practice. One of the most significant issues facing the Philippines' health care system is the inclusion of a pharmacist in the multidisciplinary team caring for the patient, as well as the integration of cutting-edge pharmaceutical services with medical care. This study employed a descriptive quantitative-comparative study that utilized a non-probability convenience-purposive sampling technique and it is conducted through an online-based platform specifically by Google Forms using an own-based questionnaire. A thirty-two (32)-item questionnaire was completed on a sample population of one hundred sixty-six (166) licensed community and hospital pharmacists from regions IV - A, IV- B, and V. Moreover, for the exploratory analysis, mean, frequency, and percentage were used and the Wilcoxon Rum Sum Test was utilized as a statistical tool to further interpret the comparative analysis. Results revealed that 100% of the respondents perceived that Interprofessional Collaboration has improved patient care services in their facility. On the other hand, the overall results show a great extent of agreement and a high level of satisfaction in both community and hospital pharmacists’ Interprofessional Collaboration with physicians. Thus, the research concluded that there was no significant difference between community and hospital pharmacists' extent of agreement and level of satisfaction with regard to Interprofessional Collaboration with physicians to achieve an effective medication therapy management.