Community pharmacist participation in a practice-based research network: A report from the Medication Safety Research Network of Indiana (Rx-SafeNet)

• DOI: 10.1331/japha.2015.14244
• Publication Date: 2015-11-08T14:30:50Z
• Authors: Puja Patel; Heather Hemmeger; Mary Ann Kozak; Stephanie A. Gernant; Margie E. Snyder
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Community-Based Participatory Research; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Indiana; 330; Attitude of Health Personnel; 610; Community Pharmacy Services; Pharmacists; Risk Assessment; 03 medical and health sciences; Professional Role; 0302 clinical medicine; Surveys and Questionnaires; Medicine and Health Sciences; Humans; Medication Errors; Cooperative Behavior; Practice; Health Knowledge; Middle Aged; Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; 16. Peace & justice; 3. Good health; Leadership; Attitudes; Female; Patient Safety; Program Evaluation

To describe the experiences and opinions of pharmacists serving as site coordinators for the Medication Safety Research Network of Indiana (Rx-SafeNet).Retail chain, independent, and hospital/health system outpatient community pharmacies throughout Indiana, with a total of 127 pharmacy members represented by 26 site coordinators.Rx-SafeNet, a statewide practice-based research network (PBRN) formed in 2010 and administered by the Purdue University College of Pharmacy.Barriers and facilitators to participation in available research studies, confidence participating in research, and satisfaction with overall network communication.22 of 26 site coordinators participated, resulting in an 85% response rate. Most (72.2%) of the respondents had received a doctor of pharmacy degree, and 13.6% had postgraduate year (PGY)1 residency training. The highest reported benefits of PBRN membership were an enhanced relationship with the Purdue University College of Pharmacy (81% agreed or strongly agreed) and enhanced professional development (80% agreed or strongly agreed). Time constraints were identified as the greatest potential barrier to network participation, reported by 62% of respondents. In addition, the majority (59%) of survey respondents identified no prior research experience. Last, respondents' confidence in performing research appeared to increase substantially after becoming network members, with 43% reporting a lack of confidence in engaging in research before joining the network compared with 90% reporting confidence after joining the network.In general, Rx-SafeNet site coordinators appeared to experience increased confidence in research engagement after joining the network. While respondents identified a number of benefits associated with network participation, concerns about potential time constraints remained a key barrier to participation. These findings will assist network leadership in identifying opportunities to positively increase member participation in the future.