The effect of pharmacy setting and pharmacist communication style on patient perceptions and selection of pharmacists

Although patient-centered care is seen as a criterion standard in pharmacy practice, there is a large subset of patients who prefer pharmacists who communicate from a more biomedical perspective. Future research and interprofessional educational opportunities with colleagues in communication disciplines may be fruitful in helping pharmacists to better assess patient cues that might signal their willingness to be more or less active participants in their care. Pharmacies may also find it useful to improve how they market pharmacists so that patients can more effectively choose pharmacists who fit the style of care they would like to receive.