Developing consensus on the principles and key actions for collaborative working between general practices and community pharmacies: a modified eDelphi study

OBJECTIVES: To develop consensus on the principles and key actions for collaborative working in practice between general practice, community pharmacy and patients and their carers. DESIGN: Three-round modified eDelphi study, starting from an established conceptual model of collaboration between general practitioners (GPs) and community pharmacists. SETTING: Community pharmacies and general practices in England, UK. PARTICIPANTS: A panel of 123 experts: 43% from a community pharmacy background; 36% from a GP background; 13% patients, carers or patient representatives and 8% from academic or commissioner backgrounds. Panellist numbers reduced by approximately 30% in rounds 2 and 3. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Consensus between expert panellists, defined as at least 75% agreement. RESULTS: A high level of consensus (>80%) was achieved on all components of a model of collaboration composed of Fundamental Principles of Collaboration and Key Activities for Action, supported by a series of aspirational statements and suggested practical actions. The fundamental principles and key activities are appended by contextual points. The findings indicate that collaboration in practice involves team members other than just GPs and community pharmacists and recognises that patients often want to know how each professional team is involved in their care. This study also provides insights into how collaboration between general practice and community pharmacy settings appears to have shifted during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially through opportunities for virtual collaboration and communication that can transcend the need for close geographical proximity. CONCLUSION: A consensus-based model of collaboration between general practice teams, community pharmacy teams, and patients and their carers has been developed. It is practically focused, values the patient voice and incorporates general practice and community pharmacy team members. While developed in England, the model is likely to also have applicability to other countries with similar health systems that include general practices and community pharmacies.