International Perspective of Pharmacists' Role in Transplant
Date
2025-04-25
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
Type
Thesis
Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background: Pharmacotherapy for solid organ transplant recipients is complex. Pharmacists are recognized as part of the transplant team in the USA, but in other countries the role is less defined. Our objectives were to identify which countries have transplant pharmacists and to describe their role in solid organ transplant care.
Methods: An internet search identified contact information for solid organ transplant centers in countries other than the USA. (Search=country name + transplant + center OR institution OR program). Institutions were emailed a survey in one of their official languages (39 translations) to determine if they had a transplant pharmacist (Survey 1). Snowball distribution was undertaken via transplant networks. If ‘yes’, institutions were asked to share another electronic survey with pharmacists (Survey 2). If ‘no’, they were asked why. Survey 2 for pharmacists had 4 sections: demographics; assessment of roles; barriers to providing care; interest in joining a network. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis.
Results: Of 194 countries identified by the World Health Organization, 128 (65.8%) performed solid organ transplants. Survey 1 (sent to 1726 institutions) received responses from 131 institutions/42 countries. Survey 2 received responses from 157 pharmacists in 17 countries other than the USA and 54 from pharmacists in the USA. Of 43 countries responding in total, 41.9% had transplant pharmacists, 21% supplied mixed responses, and 37.2% did not; the most common reason was that pharmacists did not routinely provide clinical care. Most pharmacist respondents from countries other than the USA (n=157) were licensed for 6 to 10 years (26.3%), didn’t have specialized transplant training (88.4%) and provided inpatient care (86.6%). Nearly all were confident in their ability to provide solid organ transplant care (94%) and perceived a demand for solid organ transplant pharmacists (94%). Having a variety of duties leaving insufficient time was the most common barrier (59%). In contrast, 72.5% of pharmacists from the USA had clinical training. Almost half of participants from non-US countries (47%), and majority of participants from the USA (70.4%) demonstrated interest in joining a network.
Conclusion: Transplant pharmacists are present in many countries and successes and barriers are identified. A professional network may facilitate international collaborations.
Description
Keywords
Transplant, Pharmacy, International, Transplant pharmacist.
Citation
Degree
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Department
Pharmacy and Nutrition
Program
Pharmacy