Abstract

Background
The issues surrounding the prescribing and monitoring of medications for people with learning disabilities and behaviours deemed to be challenging, and are complex in their management for patients, healthcare professionals and carers. The aim of the study was to explore the impact of the Pharmacist Independent Prescriber (PIP) on a medication clinic for people with learning disabilities and challenging behaviours from the perspectives of healthcare professionals and carers in a UK mental health Trust setting.
Methods
Qualitative methods were used to provide an understanding of the participants’ interactions with the pharmacist in the context of the medication clinic. Individual, semi-structured interviews were carried out with staff and carers, audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. A thematic analysis was carried out to identify themes which illuminated the participants’ experiences. Recruitment took place December 2017 – August 2018.
Results
9 participants took part (6 staff and 3 full-time carers). Eight themes were constructed from the data; five from staff and three from the carer cohort: being open to innovation and change in collaborative practice, challenging traditional norms in collaborative approaches to person-centred care, proactive empowerment via maximisation of expertise and resources, supporting and empowering informed decision making, encouraging collaborative debate around medication, establishing authentic and interactive dialogue, gaining trust of the PIP’s role in the management of patients and feeling empowered to challenge ambiguity and inconsistency in prescribing practice.
Conclusion
The PIP is a valued asset, with high levels of interaction between all staff, carers, and an integral aspect of services provided.