Pharmacist peer coaching in a traditional community chain pharmacy: Implementation and perceptions

To determine pharmacists’ perceptions of peer coaching techniques designed to enhance pharmacists’ provision of targeted medication reviews for adherence in traditional chain community pharmacies. A peer coaching method was designed and implemented by a community-based pharmacy resident. Pharmacies within a traditional community chain were selected from a region that spans parts of western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio. Individualized peer coaching was provided face-to-face with pharmacists within pharmacy workflow. After the full coaching intervention was complete, semi-structured interviews with coached pharmacists were conducted to qualitatively assess their perceived impact of the coaching. Interviews were conducted by a member of the investigative team to limit bias. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed, and then they underwent full thematic analysis. Five major themes were elicited from the coached pharmacists’ interviews: (1) tailor coaching to pharmacist skill level, (2) empower pharmacists with strategies to conduct clinical interventions and self-assess, (3) teach patient engagement strategies, (4) include all team members to promote engagement, and (5) utilize peer coach’s experience with the intervention. Themes from this project can help guide the implementation of peer coaching programs in community pharmacies. Effective peer coaching is an important approach to increase the uptake and effectiveness of a variety of community pharmacist-led enhanced patient care services.