Assessing the Adherence to Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Among Pharmacists in Saudi Arabia

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a prevalent respiratory condition that significantly impacts patients' quality of life and healthcare systems worldwide. Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) have been developed to standardize and optimize COPD management. Pharmacists play a crucial role in the management of COPD by providing medication therapy management and patient education. This study aims to assess the adherence to CPGs for COPD management among pharmacists in Saudi Arabia and identify factors influencing their adherence. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 500 pharmacists working in various healthcare settings across Saudi Arabia. The survey questionnaire consisted of items evaluating pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to COPD management based on the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the data. The results showed that 68% of pharmacists had adequate knowledge of COPD management according to the GOLD guidelines. However, only 54% of pharmacists consistently adhered to the guidelines in their practice. Factors positively associated with guideline adherence included postgraduate education, specialized training in COPD management, and practice setting. Barriers to guideline adherence included time constraints, lack of familiarity with the guidelines, and limited patient education materials. The findings highlight the need for targeted educational interventions and system-level changes to improve pharmacists' adherence to CPGs for COPD management in Saudi Arabia