Reimagining pharmacy processes for expanding hospital at‐home care in Singapore: A qualitative study

Abstract Introduction Mobile Inpatient Care at Home (MIC@Home) is an alternative acute care model that offers care within patients' homes instead of in traditional hospital settings. This qualitative study seeks to investigate existing perspectives on MIC@Home and the challenges associated specifically with its provision of pharmacy services, and propose suitable recommendations for the enhancement and upscaling of such services within projected timelines. Methods Data was collected using semi‐structured interviews with the eight pharmacists in charge of MIC@Home from different public hospitals in Singapore, and validated through a focus group discussion (FGD). Thematic analysis was performed to elicit themes from interviews that were discussed during the FGD to corroborate individuals' insights and collectively prioritize proposed recommendations for the upscaling of MIC@Home pharmacy services. Results Collected findings from the eight interviews and FGD were broadly sorted into the categories of stakeholder attitudes, challenges, and opportunities for innovation. Attitudes reflected those of patients and caregivers, pharmacists, and institutional stakeholders. Themes under challenges were organized into workflow, logistics and supply, medication management, and manpower. Lastly, the various opportunities for innovation highlighted were broadly categorized into service‐based and product‐based strategies. Specifically, the prioritization matrix from the FGD also indicated more urgent action to be taken in several aspects, in combination with the appropriate stakeholder responsible for it. Conclusions Study findings reflect a largely positive attitude toward the mainstreaming of MIC@Home in Singapore, but with challenges, some requiring more urgent attention than others. Corresponding sets of recommendations to address these challenges have been put forth and prioritized. Further actions by the responsible stakeholders would be the appropriate next steps to facilitate the mainstreaming of MIC@Home in Singapore. Additional research into the challenges faced by different stakeholders across MIC@Home is also warranted.