A systematic review and thematic synthesis to identify factors that influence pharmacists' involvement in asthma care services: An identity crisis

BACKGROUND: Asthma is a common chronic disease worldwide affecting an estimated 300 million people. Pharmacists can play key roles to support optimal health outcomes for patients with asthma. Goffman's Dramaturgical Theory was used in this review to critically examine the literature describing the role of pharmacists in asthma services. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this review is to identify factors that influence the role of pharmacists in asthma care services. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted of seven electronic databases including: CINAHL, Midline (Ovid), PubMed, Scopus, Web of science, Embase and PsycInfo.). The search was not restricted by language or date of publication. Studies were screened according to inclusion criteria which included much relate to pharmacists, asthma services and include qualitative findings. Data was extracted and thematically synthesised to create demographic, descriptive and analytical findings. RESULTS: Eighteen studies were included. The majority of studies were conducted in high income countries, with most of the studies conducted in Australia (n = 10). Semi-structured interview was used as a method for data collection in most studies (n = 11). Evidence indicated pharmacists engaged in asthma services positively and wanted to expand their roles in patient care. However, literature reported patients' attitudes and health-system factors such as remuneration, as well as inter-professional collaboration and expected low levels of knowledge and skills of pharmacists were barriers to implementation of pharmacy-led asthma care. Analytical findings suggest that pharmacists' involvement in asthma care services were influenced by patients' and healthcare professionals' expectations which were juxtaposed with pharmacists' own self-perceived identity. CONCLUSIONS: This review demonstrates pharmacists self-identified as being capable and equipped with appropriate knowledge and skills, however the expectations of patients and other healthcare professionals prohibited their involvement in delivering asthma care services.