What is it about?
This narrative review examines how the role of the community pharmacist is changing and which factors hinder effective professional practice. The rise of online pharmacies and the increasing commercialization of pharmaceutical services have weakened traditional face‑to‑face interactions, contributing to a perception of pharmacists as commercial figures rather than health professionals. The article analyzes existing literature to identify barriers impacting the pharmacist–patient relationship and highlights the importance of patient‑centered care communication. The review also discusses how behavioral, communication, educational and sociological approaches can strengthen pharmacists’ ability to provide effective, personalized consultancy services.
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Why is it important?
Patient‑centered communication is central to the pharmacist’s ethical and professional obligations. Effective interaction enhances patient understanding of therapies, supports medication adherence and contributes to safer healthcare outcomes. At a time when digital services increasingly replace personal contact, reinforcing communication skills is essential to preserve the pharmacist’s role within the healthcare system. Strengthening these competencies may also help reduce adverse drug events, improve care integration and restore the public’s perception of pharmacists as trusted healthcare providers rather than retailers.
Perspectives
To enhance the professional role of community pharmacists, the review underscores the need for curricular reforms that consistently integrate communication, behavioral and educational sciences. Training programs based on standardized patient‑centered communication methods—such as PaCT or MPC—may help future pharmacists use clearer, more effective language in daily practice. Long-term, such improvements could reinforce patient trust, optimize counseling quality and support a renewed vision of community pharmacy as an essential component of primary healthcare.
Prof. Antonio Speciale
University of Messina
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The Community Pharmacist: Perceived Barriers and Patient-Centered Care Communication, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, January 2020, MDPI AG,
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17020536.
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