Date of Award

8-2014

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Legacy Department

Industrial Engineering

Committee Chair/Advisor

Rivera-Rodriguez, Joy A

Committee Member

Neyens , David M

Committee Member

Greenstein , Joel S

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify the perceptions of both patients and pharmacists about the pharmacist's role in the hospital discharge process. In order to do this, observations were conducted with the patients and interviews were conducted with both patients and pharmacists. During the interviews, both the patients and pharmacists were asked about the pharmacist's role in the hospital discharge process. The interviews were qualitatively analyzed using the in vivo technique. Four high-level themes emerged from this study: Current role of a pharmacist in the hospital, Ideal role of a pharmacist in the discharge process, Pharmacists' perceptions of patients, and Patients' perceptions of pharmacist's role. Each of these themes was further divided into sub-categories using a human factors perspective. From the results, it was observed that patients are not aware of the current role of a pharmacist in the hospital and that there is no interaction between patients and pharmacists during the discharge process. Pharmacists suggested changes to their current role to improve communication with the patients.

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