Pharmacist’s role and his activities in residential hospice on the basis on preliminary study

In Poland, pharmacists are involved in hospice and palliative care on behalf on general rules from pharmaceutical law and other regulations, which were established in the practice.

Objective: To determine pharmacist’s activities in residential hospice and to assess conditions of their implementation.

Material and methods: Data obtained from two different anonymous questionnaires (first directed to the principal managers of the hospice, and the second to the pharmacists). The method was the diagnostic survey.

Results and conclusion: Twenty-one residential hospices took part in the preliminary study;

29 questionnaires were received. Half of the examined hospices do not employ any pharmacist and do not have any hospital pharmacy. In 1/4 hospices, according to principal managers, pharmacist belong to the therapeutic team, however, no one pharmacist agree with this statement. The main pharmaceutical services, according the principal managers, should include information of drugs (81%) and ordering drugs and other medical products (62%). Pharmacists answers were similar (75% and 62.5%, respectively). 75% of principal managers have got positive attitude towards the involvement of a pharmacist into palliative care in residential hospices. They consider the pharmacist as a consultant, who co-participate in therapeutic process. Pharmacists, on the other hand, to the main benefits of their presence in hospice, add the proper drug storage and documentation of controlled substances.

In conclusion, counseling and educating is the basic activity of the pharmacist in hospice and palliative care. His involvement into this care may decrease the costs of the treatment due to paying various pharmaceutical services.