The Role of Pharmacists on Virtual Wards : A Focus Group Study

Abstract

Abstract Objectives: This study explores the constantly changing role of pharmacists in virtual wards. Its main objective is to identify the precise challenges faced by pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. It also seeks to explore the manner in which these professionals can improve patient care by improving operational efficiency in digital care settings.

Methods: The study employs a qualitative design, using focus group discussions with a sample of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians from Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust. The data was analysed using thematic analysis, which helped extract key themes, including changing clinical roles, adaptation of technology, gaps in training, operational barriers, concerns about data security, and the impact of policy and workload in service delivery.

Results: It was concluded that pharmacists are increasingly playing an active role in multidisciplinary teams (MDTs), taking up responsibilities in making clinical decisions, including patient management and independent prescribing. Specifically, pharmacists expressed concern in relation to the need for more advanced training on digital health technologies, including systems that monitor patients remotely. Furthermore, data security management was noted as an important matter, particularly in settings where digital tools were changing at a fast pace. Findings also show that operational inefficiencies, worsened by poor communication and geographic dispersion, obstruct the delivery of care.

Conclusion: Integrating pharmacists into VWs is changing the character of their roles, calling for a higher degree of clinical independence and proficiency in digital health tools. Even though pharmacists are becoming more involved in direct patient care, there are still gaps in technological infrastructure and inadequate specialised training, which limits their effectiveness. Dealing with these issues using targeted interventions, such as enhanced training programs, better integration of technology, and more equitable distribution of workloads, is needed to optimise the contributions of pharmacists. Ultimately, it is assumed that overcoming these barriers will result in a more efficient healthcare system that improves patient outcomes.