Qualitative Explorations of Malaysian Community Pharmacists Towards Their Perceptions and Participations in Dyslipidemia Care Services

Abstract

Background: Dyslipidemia is a significant health concern in Malaysia. Community pharmacists (CPs) are considered first-line healthcare professionals and can contribute to a huge role in dyslipidemia management. However, the roles of CPs are still considered as underutilized. CPs perception and participation in providing dyslipidemia care services in Malaysia have yet to be explored. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the perception and present participation of CPs in providing dyslipidemia care services. Methods: A qualitative study with in-depth face-to-face interviews was conducted from March 2023 to May 2023. The semi-structured interview guide was reviewed by the panel experts. Verbatim transcription using the audio recordings of the interviews was conducted and turned into the research's textual data. Thematic analysis was used to identify and characterize the emergence of themes. Results: Three key perception subthemes emerged: the importance of dyslipidemia care services, accessibility of CPs, and the positive impact of these services. For the current participation theme, subthemes included available services, preferred service timing, and the initiating party for cholesterol screening. Conclusion: Overall, CPs demonstrated a positive perception of dyslipidemia care services and actively participated in certain aspects of dyslipidemia management. However, their roles remain underutilized, particularly in areas such as risk assessment and patient follow-up. The findings from this study highlight the need for targeted strategies and support systems to further empower CPs in optimizing their contributions to dyslipidemia care.