Table 2.
Public perceptions of pharmacists
| Survey item | Mean | SD | Location of survey deployment, out of pharmacy/in-pharmacy (n = 237/148)* | Respondent gender, female/male (n = 216/168)* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacists are drug experts. | 4.31 | 0.859 | 4.19/4.49 | |
| My pharmacy puts my needs as a patient first, and business second. | 4.01 | 0.977 | 3.87/4.23 | 4.14/3.84 |
| My pharmacist communicates well. | 4.34 | 0.825 | 4.24/4.50 | 4.49/4.15 |
| There is good cooperation between my pharmacist and other health care providers such as my doctor. | 4.00 | 0.919 | 3.88/4.20 | 4.18/3.79 |
| Wait times for my prescriptions are too long. | 2.47 | 1.295 | ||
| I would be okay with long wait times for my prescriptions if the pharmacist spent more time talking with me about my medications and health. | 2.88 | 1.066 | ||
| I would like my pharmacist to provide me with information about medications I buy without a prescription (e.g., medications for cough and cold, upset stomach). | 3.74 | 1.044 | ||
| I rarely want to speak to the pharmacist about my medications. | 2.73 | 1.220 | ||
| I would like my pharmacist to spend more time talking to me about my prescriptions. | 2.91 | 1.031 | ||
| I want my pharmacist to have time to speak with me when I need him/her. | 4.10 | 0.881 | 4.01/4.23 | 4.19/3.95 |
| I find it difficult to understand the printed drug information that comes with my prescription at my pharmacy. | 2.10 | 1.080 | ||
| I find it difficult to understand what my pharmacist tells me about my prescription. | 1.77 | 0.942 | 1.85/1.64 | 1.64/1.95 |
| My pharmacist keeps my personal information confidential. | 4.38 | 0.891 | 4.46/4.28 | |
| My pharmacist readily answers my questions. | 4.37 | 0.915 | 4.23/4.59 | 4.52/4.15 |
| When I leave the pharmacy with my prescription, I am confident regarding how to use the medication, including how to take my medications and how to manage possible side effects. | 4.43 | 0.807 | 4.36/4.56 | 4.51/4.33 |
| If I ask, I am provided with information regarding minor conditions (such as cold sores, dry eyes, minor sore throats and seasonal allergies) at my pharmacy. | 4.27 | 0.857 | 4.17/4.43 | 4.36/4.13 |
*
Mean differences significant at p = 0.05.