Development of a Hybrid Pharmaceutical Care Implementation Model: A Focus Group

In recent years, the use of social media has expanded into various fields for diverse purposes. Social media can be utilized in the pharmaceutical care field to assist in monitoring and evaluating the outcomes of diabetes mellitus patient medication. This study aimed to develop an effective implementation model combining face-to-face pharmaceutical care with social media to improve medication outcomes for diabetes mellitus patients. A qualitative study design was used. Focus Group Discussion (FGD) were conducted involving practicing pharmacists in primary healthcare centers, academics, pharmacist association, and local policymakers. Semi-structured interview guides were used to explore participants' feedback, ideas, and recommendations regarding the developed model. The FGD were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and validated. Transcripts were analyzed using deductive thematic analysis. Three pharmacists from primary healthcare centers, 3 academics, 2 members of pharmacy organizations, and 1 representative of local policymaker participated. The FGD results revealed that the developed pharmaceutical care model received support from all participants and was considered easy to implement. Constraints in implementing the model from the patient's perspective included the potential for some patients to be unfamiliar with using social media. Meanwhile, constraints from the pharmacist's perspective included increased workload and the requirement for additional equipment or infrastructure. Recommendations for improving the model during face-to-face interactions with patients included utilizing visual aids to assist patients in focusing on the provided education. Furthermore, education and medication outcome monitoring were implemented through social media with brief text narratives and engaging images or audio-video content. These findings support the expansion of the hybrid pharmaceutical care model, which is implemented by pharmacists through face-to-face interactions and social media. The hybrid pharmaceutical care model has the potential to improve accessibility, efficiency, and coverage of pharmaceutical care.