Table 4 Expected roles of a clinical pharmacist, ideally—students’ and practitioners’ perspectives –, presented as N (%)

Medication management and patients’ health care

 1. History taking and reconciliation

F = 4.819, p = 0.090

 2. Follow guidelines and protocols to ensure that patient receive optimal drug therapy and provide an effective and safe medicine

F = 3.750, p = 0.153

 3. Monitor and adjust patient therapy

F = 6.156, p = 0.046

 4. Detect and resolve drug-related problems (side effects, drug–drug interactions)

F = 2.376, p = 0.305

 5. Have prescribing responsibility and provide repeat medication independently

F = 36.075, p < 0.001

 6. Update clinical record

F = 17.671, p < 0.001

Patient examination and screening

 1. Conduct basic physical assessments

F = 11.073, p = 0.011

 2. Play an important role in reducing antibiotic resistance by changing antibiotics or dosing based on laboratory values

F = 6.584, p = 0.037

 3. Order and review laboratory tests

F = 15.109, p = 0.001

 4. Conduct drug allergy assessment

F = 1.659, p = 0.436

 5. Review immunizations and provide vaccines where required

F = 11.710, p = 0.008

Drug information and education

 1. Answer medication-related questions from patients and health care professionals

F = 0.042, p = 0.979

 2. Counseling and education on medication management (doses, frequency, onset of action, side effects, drug interactions, store condition) and provide evidence-based drug information and recommendations

F = 1.267, p = 0.531

 3. Provide non-pharmacological treatment (diet, exercise, smoking)

F = 38.837, p < 0.001

 4. Carry out compounding procedures to produce an effective and safe medicine (preparation of IV antibiotics, total parenteral nutrition)

F = 16.456, p < 0.001

 5. Act as preceptor for students

F = 13.458, p = 0.001

 6. Education of general physicians and other practice staff and mentor new prescribers

F = 1.244, p = 0.537

 7. Design prevention, intervention, and educational strategies for individuals and communities to manage chronic disease and improve health and wellness

F = 1.897, p = 0.387

 8. Educate individuals and communities to manage chronic diseases and improve health and wellness

F = 5.681, p = 0.058

Collaboration and liaison

 1. Regular participation on patient care rounds

F = 0.193, p = 0.908

 2. Refer to general physician and other health professional

F = 0.507, p = 0.776

 3. Participate in multidisciplinary reviews of patients

F = 2.372, p = 0.305

 4. Liaison role between hospital and community pharmacists across health sector

F = 5.674, p = 0.059

 5. Collaboration with other health care professionals (GPs, dietician, nurse practitioners)

F = 1.24, p = 0.444

 6. Attend and present at meetings with other healthcare staff and communicate effectively with patients, caregivers, pharmacy personnel, other health care professionals, community members, policy makers and administrators

F = 3.984, p = 0.136

 7. Interpret results derived experimentally or by simulation

- Summarize and present experimentally or simulated derived data

- Write a scientifically sound report of an experiment

- Utilize IT in data management and presentation

F = 1.188, p = 0.552

 8. Establish collaborative practice agreements with physician

F = 1.673, p = 0.433

Quality assurance

 1. Play an important role in improving patient health outcome

F = 4.667, p = 0.198

 2. Physician workload could be minimized

F = 1.602, p = 0.449

 3. Help to reduce drug costs

F = 26.371, p < 0.001

 4. Participate in and coordinate research activities

F = 4.300, p = 0.117

 5. Developing clinical guidelines and prescribing templates

F = 1.238, p = 0.536