Questionnaire Survey on the Current Status of Pharmacist Practice and Patient Needs Related to Home Medical Care

Objective　The spread of home medical care is necessary in Japan, where super aging is progressing. Therefore, to clarify the problems of pharmacists in promoting home medical care, we investigated the actual status of pharmacist services regarding home medical care and the needs of patients. Method　A questionnaire survey was administered to pharmacists nationwide regarding the implementation rate of services related to home medical care, work items, and factors that hinder home medical care. A questionnaire survey on the degree of satisfaction with home medical care and requests to pharmacists was administered to patients undergoing home medical care. Results　Home medical care was implemented in approximately 50％ of surveyed pharmacies. Pharmacists who were active in providing home medical care delivered medication to patients and made adjustments to make it easier for patients to take their medication. The biggest obstacle to home medical care was the shortage of pharmacists. Patients requested that pharmacists check the effects and side effects of the medication, in addition to delivering the medication to them and make adjustments to make it easier for them to take it. Conclusion　Pharmacists need to improve the efficiency of dispensing services and perform home medical care services that meet patient needs.