Structural features of pharmacy function--the analysis using structural equation modeling.

In order to examine the structural features of community pharmacy function and to clarify areas meriting priority in efforts to expand pharmacy functions in the home care field, a questionnaire survey was conducted. Using the distribution of responses regarding the actual conditions entailed in the 16 categories of pharmacy services, factor analysis was carried out. Structural equation modeling was performed and the fitness of the path model constructed to study the interrelatedness of the individual factors extracted by factor analysis was considered. Four factors comprised pharmacy services "dispensing", "supply of goods", "offering home care", and "cooperation in community health and medical programs". The interrelatedness of four pharmacy functions by the result of structural equation modeling indicated the following insights. 1) By strengthening "cooperation in community health and medical programs", it is possible to directly improve the functions of "dispensing", and "offering home care". An improvement in "collecting and utilizing patient information", "providing appropriate instruction", "providing introductions to medical institutions and physicians", and "supplying over-the-counter drugs" can be expected as a result of direct benefits accrued by "cooperation in community health and medical programs". 2) By strengthening "offering home care", it is possible to directly improve "supply of goods". An improvement in "stocking long-term care goods and sanitary goods" can be expected as a result of direct benefits accrued by "offering home care". In conclusion, this study indicated that the areas meriting priority in the expansion and upgrading of pharmacy functions is stronger "cooperation in community health and medical programs".