Martine Kruijtbosch

149 Mo ra l case de l i be ra t i on BOX 2: Professional core values customised for community pharmacy 38 Commitment to the patient’s well-being The pharmacist is committed to the patient’s well-being. This commitment includes respecting the patient’s preferences and values and subsequently facilitating shared decision-making. The pharmacist respects the patient’s right to self-determination. Pharmaceutical expertise The pharmacist is a competent expert who helps patients and doctors optimize the effective and safe use of medicines. The pharmacist’s expertise emanates from speci c knowledge of (patho)physiology, pharmacotherapy, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, pharmaceutics and health psychology. Reliable and caring Medicines can be highly effective but at the same time carry risks of causing harm. Quality assurance by the pharmacist is therefore crucial. The pharmacist acts meticulously and carefully (e.g. compounding or dispensing medicines, counselling patients, monitoring medicine use and keeping patient records). The pharmacist maintains a relationship of trust with the patient. Moreover, the pharmacist respects the patient’s con dentiality. The pharmacist acts reliably within collaboration with other health professionals. Responsibility to society The pharmacist is responsible for the societal consequences of his or her actions. In order to maintain patients’ and the public’s trust in the pharmacy practice and the healthcare system, the pharmacist acts transparently and treats patients equally. The pharmacist guarantees access to pharmaceutical care and its continuity through collaboration with other health professionals. Professional autonomy No customisation 37 The autonomy of the pharmacist stands in an independent relationship with that of other care professionals, healthcare insurers and the patient’s right of self-determination. The pharmacist is responsible for his or her decisions and adheres to the frameworks established by society. The pharmacist uses pharmaceutical judgment whilst maintaining a balance between commitment to the patient and the socially responsible course of action. RESULTS Participants In April–May 2020, a total of 14 community pharmacists (two males and 12 females), along with the two facilitators, participated in two MCD sessions (session 1: six participants and one CP; session 2: six participants and one CP). Each CP was also a participant in the other MCD session. The participating pharmacists practised in different cities and villages in the Netherlands. The pharmacists had an average of 12 years of work experience in community pharmacy (range: 2–36 years). Their average age was 36 years (range: 26–63 years). Ten of the 14 pharmacists experienced moral dilemmas in practice on a daily or weekly basis, four pharmacists on a monthly basis. Seven pharmacists almost always discussed these dilemmas with colleagues, and seven sometimes discussed these dilemmas with colleagues.