Clinical practice of pharmacists in the public hospital facilities of a city in Rio de Janeiro’s countryside

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the clinical practice of hospital pharmacists in the public health system of a municipality in the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Region. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted through interviews with pharmacists from public hospitals belonging to the municipal network. For this purpose, a semi-structured questionnaire was used, composed of sociodemographic questions and questions about clinical activities. Additionally, an open question about the challenges for carrying out these activities was included, with the answers recorded and transcribed. The analyses included simple descriptive statistics, using absolute frequency and content analysis. Categories were created based on the responses, which included: lack of team integration, infrastructure and human resources (HR), and training. Results: All hospitals in the municipality were included in the study. Of the six pharmacists interviewed, half performed clinical activities, while the others pointed out limitations such as lack of HR, private physical space, and training. The results also indicated that clinical activities are often limited by fragmented organizational structures, lack of recognition of the pharmacist's role, and that academic training still focuses on operational functions. Moreover, among those who carry out clinical activities, the absence of a standardized record and the lack of patient screening strategies, such as prioritizing more critical cases, were identified. Conclusions: This study highlighted the need to implement strategies to promote the clinical role of pharmacists in the investigated hospitals, ensuring their contributions to patient care and safety, rational use of medications, and effective participation in the healthcare team.