Using interpersonal perception to characterize pharmacists' and patients' perceptions of the benefits of pharmaceutical care

Pharmacists and patients seem to have divergent beliefs about potential pharmacy services. Patients have reported desiring more from pharmacists, yet pharmacists have cited lack of patient demand as a reason for not providing pharmaceutical care. Pharmacists (N = 147) and patients (N = 151) completed a questionnaire from multiple perspectives using an interpersonal perception approach assessing their perceptions of the benefits of pharmaceutical care. Findings revealed that pharmacists and patients disagreed on the benefits of those services. Further, they misunderstood each other's perceptions of those services. Few significant differences were found between patients who reported receiving additional services from their pharmacist and those who did not. By directly addressing these differences, pharmacists can attempt to improve patients' perceptions of pharmacy services while providing valuable new services.