Integr Pharm Res Pract. 2026 May 15;15:583805. doi: 10.2147/IPRP.S583805. eCollection 2026.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Effective pharmacist-patient communication is essential for modern pharmaceutical services, relying heavily on optimized communication strategies that are essential for ensuring treatment adherence and overcoming the unique challenges of patient care in multilingual regions.
PURPOSE: This study investigates the perceptions, experiences, and strategies used by community pharmacists in Romania to overcome common communication barriers.
METHODS: The research employed an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study design, utilizing a self-administered online questionnaire. The data was collected through an anonymous online questionnaire (N=150) administered to patients in eastern Romania. Explicit digital informed consent was obtained. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, t-tests for independent samples, and Spearman correlation coefficient.
RESULTS: Results indicate the perception of significant barriers, notably differences in educational levels, the use of medical terminology, and time constraints. A negative and significant Spearman correlation (ρ = -0.207, p < 0.001) was found between the perceived effectiveness of communication and the need for service improvement, confirming the detrimental impact of these difficulties on the quality of pharmaceutical services. Furthermore, the average self-assessment score of 2.59 for communication training suggests a predominantly negative perception of both university and continuing education in this area.
CONCLUSION: The conclusions highlight an urgent need to integrate culturally and linguistically adapted communication training into the education of community pharmacists. Future research should focus on developing and evaluating pilot educational programs and interventions specifically tailored for bilingual communities.
PMID:42165040 | PMC:PMC13185963 | DOI:10.2147/IPRP.S583805
