PUBH6210 Assignment 3: Critical Review of a Qualitative Study Report

This report presents a critical review of a qualitative research paper by Latif et al. (2013), which explores the impact and consequences of the Medicines Use Review (MUR) service on pharmacy support staff. The review systematically analyzes the study's purpose, literature review, design (ethnography and interviews), sampling methods, data collection procedures, and data analysis techniques. The report evaluates the study's strengths, such as the use of triangulation, and limitations, including the lack of theoretical underpinnings. It assesses the study's rigor, including credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability, and examines the conclusions and implications drawn from the findings. The study aimed to investigate the impact of the MUR process on pharmacy support services, highlighting the responsibilities of pharmacists and their impact on support staff. The report concludes by summarizing the study's contribution to theory development and recommending increased workflow processes in pharmacy management.

PUBH6210 Written Assignment 3
STUDENT NAME ____________________________________
Critical Review Form - Qualitative Studies (Version 2.0)
CITATION:
Latif, A., Boardman, H. F., & Pollock, K. (2013). A qualitative study exploring the impact and consequence
of the medicines use review service on pharmacy support-staff. Pharmacy practice, 11(2), 118–124.
Comments
STUDY PURPOSE:
Was the purpose and/or
research question stated
clearly?
yes
no
Outline the purpose of the study and/or research question
The research aimed at exploring the perceived impact and consequences of the
pharmacy support staff of the community pharmacy management services referred to
as Medicines Use Reviews in the UK. The key overall goal is to ensure that there are
promotion, formalization, and commissioning of patient-centered care towards the
use of medicines in the health care arena.
LITERATURE:
Was relevant background
literature reviewed?
yes
no
Describe the justification of the need for this study. Was it clear and
compelling?
The paper offers a clear justification in terms of the usage and utilization of drug
medication process in the MUR service. The study, however, did not elaborate more
on research undertaken and their results. There was limited inclusion of similar
reviews which have been undertaken in the area of interest. More of the studies
covered entail the use of the system in the UK however there is an essence of
incorporating other reviews from other quotas so as to build on an elaborate plan.
STUDY DESIGN:
What was the design?
phenomenology
ethnography
grounded theory
participatory action
research
other (specify below)
_ _____________
Was the design appropriate for the study question? (i.e., rationale) Explain.
The study has utilized two approaches and ethnography and detailed interview
guided process among the participants. Ethnography refers to a qualitative study
where the researcher observes and interacts with the participants in real time basis.
Often the key to the aim of an ethnography study is the ability to under skin the
problem in order to understand fully the behaviors and the environmental conditions
of participants.
Relevant methods employed in this design entail participant observation,
interviews, and surveys. The inclusion of usability practitioners of the pharmacist in
the study allows for the development of key domain processes. Further, the use of
ethnography is suitable in the initial stages of design protocol development and
focuses on developing an understanding of the usage of medical use reviews process.
This design is essential and fits well this study as it combines with other methods
such as participant observation and interviews.
© Letts et al., 2007 Qualitative Review Form 1.

Was a theoretical
perspective identified?
yes
no
Describe the theoretical or philosophical perspective for this study e.g.,
researcher’s perspective
The research does not offer any theoretical or philosophical underpinnings of the
research focus. Much for the attention has shifted to process undertaken in the
dispensation of drugs among the key three groups in the pharmacy supply chain.
The article has focused majorly on the relevant processes which have been
undertaken in the overall process. The article has majored on the in the process
taking place in the drug medication process among the pharmacist's support staff.
The study has majorly focused on the process being followed and the overall
responsibility of the pharmacist in drug dispensation.
Method(s) used:
participant
observation
interviews
document review
focus groups
other (specify below)
_ _____________
Describe the method(s) used to answer the research question. Are the methods
congruent with the philosophical underpinnings and purpose?
Participant observation method was used to assess the behavioral observations
being undertaken at the pharmacy. The detailed observation methods entailed a direct
observation approach among the participants and to better understand the social
setting of the underlying environment. Interviews were undertaken in the study to
assess and get views of the participant's perception of the usage of the drug
medication process among the pharmacists and support staff in the study (Jorgensen,
2015).
SAMPLING:
Was the process of
purposeful selection
described?
yes
no
Describe the sampling methods used. Was the sampling method appropriate to
the study purpose or research question?
The selection process of the two medical facilities dispensing the drugs was
chosen purposively based on the geographical and coverage area. The description of
this method was not entirely described in the study further the selection of the
interviewers entailing the five pharmacists and 12 support staff were chosen however
t thereto of selection was not fully described in the article. The process undertaken
on these two key selection was vague and no key definite illustration was outlined in
the study.
Was sampling done until
redundancy in data was
reached?1
yes
no
not addressed
Are the participants described in adequate detail? How is the sample application
to the research question?
The study utilized two approaches to establishing and soliciting the study
participants. The ethnography approached enabling participant observation and
participant interview session allowed for the achievement of information selection in
terms of the information needed for the fulfillment of the research. The two
approaches were essential in obtaining the relevant information needed in the study
research process (Denzin & Lincoln, 2008).
1 Throughout the form, “no” means the authors explicitly state reasons for not doing it; “not addressed” should be ticked if there is
no mention of the issue.
© Letts et al., 2007 Qualitative Review Form 2.

Was informed consent
obtained?
yes
no
not addressed
Were potential ethical issues addressed?
Informed consent was achieved among the support staff and the pharmacist who
participated in the study. The researchers obtained detailed reports and notes from
the pharmacists and noting down the detailed information pertaining, the relevant
key themes pertaining to the focus of the study. Further, during the interviews
section, permission was further obtained among the participants with regard to the
usage of direct quotes to be applied in the publications and reports.
DATA COLLECTION
Descriptive Clarity
Clear & complete
description of
site: yes no
participants: yes
no
Role of researcher &
relationship with participants:
yes no
Identification of
assumptions and biases of the
researcher:
yes no
Describe the context of the study. Was it sufficient for an understanding of the
“whole” picture?
The context of the study has been well elaborated in terms of the two settings
which were chosen for the data collection process. The site process selection was
purposefully selected with respect to their homogeneity and presentation. The
settings have been well elaborated with focuses on its description in order to depict
and illustrate a representation of the general population. The participants of the study
were selected and indicated appropriately in the selected study sites.
The role of the researcher in this process entailed direct observation of the
overall pharmacy activities and the underlying working environment and the staff-
patient activities in relation to the study aims. Further, the research engaged the
participants in an interview section to have an in-depth understanding of the various
understanding of the key issues identified.
What was missing and how does that influence your understanding of the
research?
The article outlined the relevant strengths and limitations of the study in
general. The key assumption of the study was the longitudinal approached used in
studying the study participants was essential assumed to have countered the
participants s. Further, the study assumed that the time spent in the pharmacies was
sufficient to allow the building of report and trusts between the researcher and
participants.
Procedural Rigour
Procedural rigor was used
in data collection strategies?
yes
no
not addressed
Do the researchers provide adequate information about data collection
procedures e.g., gaining access to the site, field notes, training data gatherers?
Describe any flexibility in the design & data collection methods.
Procedural rigor was employed in the study with the use of triangulation process
which enabled the use of direct observation on an understanding of the views of the
respondents and the overall work and situational pressures facing the support staff in
the process of dispensing the medication prescription (Reeves, Kuper, &
Hodges,).
© Letts et al., 2007 Qualitative Review Form 3.

DATA ANALYSES:
Analytical Rigour
Data analyses were
inductive?
yes
no
not addressed
Findings were consistent
with & reflective of data?
yes no
Describe the method(s) of data analysis. Were the methods appropriate? What
were the findings?
The study used inductive data analysis methods which allow the research to
developed theory and identify themes through the appropriate study of the
observation explanation and verbatim obtained from the in-depth discussions held
(Jebb, Parrigon & Woo, 2017).
The findings of the study were consistent and reflective of the data provided,
however, they were refined form of the data obtained. The tools utilized in the data
analysis section allowed for further restructuring process of the themes in the study.
Auditability
Decision trail developed?
yes
no
not addressed
Process of analyzing the
data was described
adequately?
yes
no
not addressed
Describe the decisions of the researcher are: the transformation of data to
codes/themes. Outline the rationale given for the development of themes.
The decision trail of the overall data collection coding themes was developed
succinctly. The observation and fields notes were carefully typed and transcribed in
verbatim and the data thematically grouped. The process description offered a fully
structured process of data synthesis relevant to the study. The information obtained
were grouped further into bigger themes which allowed for easier understanding.
Further a modernized approach of using effective qualitative soft ware application
tool. In general, the data was carefully transcribed as per the description process
provided and the principle of constant comparison being suited to refine and the
identified themes which ensured contextualization of all research content.
Theoretical Connections
Did a meaningful picture
of the phenomenon under
study emerge?
yes
no
How were concepts under study clarified & refined, and relationships made
clear? Describe any conceptual frameworks that emerged.
The concepts in the study were succinctly clarified and refined to suit the
purpose of the study. The study variables information were explained and offered a
meaningful phenomenon of ht overall picture of the study process. The key
conceptual framework observed entailed the working relationship between the
pharmacists and support staff and the interplay by the patients seeking the drugs
dissension management.
© Letts et al., 2007 Qualitative Review Form 4.

OVERALL
RIGOUR100
Was there evidence of the
four components of
trustworthiness?
Credibility
yes no
Transferability
yes no
Dependability
yes no
Confirmability
yes no
For each of the components of trustworthiness, identify what the researcher used
to ensure each.
Credibility levels of the research findings were ensured through the observation
were typed, transcription of the verbatim and thematic collation of the data.
The transcripts obtained were systematically prepared which ensured that issues
were condensed and all the issues were recorded, enhancing appropriate transference.
Dependability of the evidence obtained was verified using a content comparison
approach.
The conformability of the evidence was undertaken using the process using the
inductive process of ensuring that the recorded issues raised in the recorded were
transcribed in the qualitative assessment tool used. (Elo et al., 2014)
CONCLUSIONS &
IMPLICATIONS100
Conclusions were
appropriate given the study
findings?
yes no
The findings contributed
to theory development &
future OT practice/ research?
yes no
What did the study conclude? What were the main limitations in the study
The study aimed at investigating the impact of MRU process on pharmacy
support services. The findings showcased the need for consideration on the
responsibilities of pharmacists and their key objective of dispensing medication and
its overall impact on the support staff. The study linked the relationships sought after
in the overall aim of the study. The findings further contribute to the overall theory
development on the changing patterns of the pharmacist and support staff
management. The study recommends increased workflow processes in terms of
resources and pharmacy staff in ensuring that there is a defined pattern which caters
of interests of all thus contributing to the overall theoretical based knowledge.
© Letts et al., 2007 Qualitative Review Form 5.

REFERENCES
Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (2008). The landscape of qualitative research (Vol. 1). Sage.
Elo, S., Kääriäinen, M., Kanste, O., Pölkki, T., Utriainen, K., & Kyngäs, H. (2014). Qualitative content
analysis: A focus on trustworthiness. SAGE Open, 4(1), 2158244014522633.
Jebb, A. T., Parrigon, S., & Woo, S. E. (2017). Exploratory data analysis as a foundation of inductive research.
Human Resource Management Review, 27(2), 265-276.
Jorgensen, D. L. (2015). Participant observation. Emerging trends in the social and behavioral sciences: An
interdisciplinary, searchable, and linkable resource, 1-15.
Latif, A., Boardman, H. F., & Pollock, K. (2013). A qualitative study exploring the impact and consequence of
the medicines use review service on pharmacy support-staff. Pharmacy practice, 11(2), 118–124.
Reeves, S., Kuper, A., & Hodges, B. D. (2008). Qualitative research methodologies: ethnography. Bmj, 337,
a1020.
© Letts et al., 2007 Qualitative Review Form 6.