Journal of the American Pharmacists Association (JAPhA)Patient Perceptions of Pharmacist-provided Tobacco Treatment at a Federally Qualified Health Center

This qualitative study examined patient perceptions of pharmacist-delivered tobacco cessation services in an FQHC setting through semi-structured interviews with 15 patients. The research applied SERVQUAL and 5 Rights of Clinical Decision Support frameworks to assess service quality, appropriateness, and patient satisfaction with pharmacist-provided tobacco treatment including medication prescribing.

⚕️ Key Clinical Considerations ⚕️

• High patient satisfaction: 86.7% of participants rated the pharmacist service 10 out of 10, indicating exceptional acceptance of pharmacist-led tobacco cessation interventions
• Accessibility advantages: Patients valued pharmacists’ availability for follow-up calls and appointments compared to primary care providers who were perceived as too busy
• Medication management expertise: Participants specifically appreciated pharmacists’ assistance with insurance coverage verification and comprehensive medication counseling on cessation products
• Personalized care approach: Patients felt included in treatment decisions and valued the individualized, non-judgmental support throughout their quit attempts
• Continuity concerns: Some patients experienced repetitive questioning when different pharmacists conducted initial and follow-up appointments, suggesting workflow optimization opportunities

🎯 Clinical Practice Impact 🎯

• Patient Communication: Patients responded positively to pharmacists’ listening skills and empathetic approach, with many preferring this to interactions with other providers. The non-judgmental communication style was particularly valued.
• Practice Integration: The collaborative drug therapy management protocol enabled seamless integration between pharmacist tobacco services and primary care, with most patients referred by their physicians.
• Risk Management: Comprehensive medication counseling and insurance verification reduced barriers to treatment adherence and improved patient confidence in cessation attempts.
• Service Delivery: Flexible appointment formats (telephone vs. in-person) accommodated patient preferences and reduced access barriers common in FQHC populations.

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