Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy (한국임상약학회지)

Korean College Of Clinical Pharmacy (한국임상약학회)
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Public Trust in Community Pharmacists in South Korea: A Survey Study

  • Yoon, Sung Won (College of Pharmacy, CHA University) ;
  • Han, Hye Sung (College of Pharmacy, CHA University) ;
  • Park, Hae-Young (BK21 FOUR Community-Based Intelligent Novel Drug Discovery Education Unit, College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyungpook National University) ;
  • Sohn, Hyun Soon (College of Pharmacy, CHA University)
  • Received : 2021.09.24
  • Accepted : 2021.12.02
  • Published : 2021.12.31
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Abstract

Background: Trust is a key component for the good relationship between patients and healthcare professionals but trust for community pharmacists has not been studied much. Objectives: This study aimed to measure public trust in community pharmacists and to investigate variables that affect trust level in South Korea. Methods: A total of 25 questions, including 13-items for three dimensions of trust (pharmacists' behavior/attitude, technical competence, communication skills) and 1-item for overall trust were developed. The survey was conducted online and the data from 416 respondents were analyzed with a t-test, an ANOVA and a multiple linear regression analysis. Results: The average scores (mean ± standard deviation) for the three dimensions of trust in community pharmacists were 3.47±1.05 (out of 5 points) for pharmacists' behavior/attitude, 3.67 ± 0.99 for technical competence, and 3.66±0.99 for communication skills. The average of the 13 items incorporating all parameters was 3.56±1.02 and the overall trust level was 7.16±1.62 (out of 10 points). The total sum of the 13 items differed significantly by age group (p=0.02) and frequency of pharmacy visits (p=0.04). Each dimension had an independent impact on the trust level, and pharmacists' behavior/attitude had the greatest impact on trust levels. Conclusions: This study showed that pharmacists' behavior/attitude had the most significant impact on the trust level. However, the level of trust in pharmacists' behavior/attitude is not yet sufficiently satisfactory, and further improvements are required to increase trust in community pharmacists.

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