Challenges And Opportunities Of Clinical Pharmacy Services In Doh-Retained General Tertiary Hospital In Cebu City: A Basis For Operational Development Plan

CPS was increasingly recognized as vital to improving patient care and medication safety in hospitals.Yet, in many Philippine government hospitals, the full integration of clinical pharmacists into patient care teams remains a work in progress.This qualitative study was motivated by both professional passion and firsthand experience, born from witnessing the real challenges and the untapped potential of clinical pharmacy practice in a large, DOH-retained general tertiary hospital in Cebu City, aimed at analyzing the challenges and opportunities of clinical pharmacy services in a DOH-retained general tertiary hospital in Cebu City as a basis for an operational development plan.Specifically, it sought to: (1) assess the current status of CPS; (2) identify challenges faced by clinical pharmacists; (3) explore opportunities for strengthening CPS; and (4) develop strategic recommendations for the sustainable delivery of clinical pharmacy services.Guided by a genuine desire to understand and improve clinical pharmacy services in our hospital, this study used a qualitative descriptive design to dig deeper into both the everyday challenges and untapped opportunities faced by clinical pharmacists.To capture authentic perspectives, self-administered, open-ended questionnaires were sent electronically to ten pharmacists who are directly involved in clinical pharmacy services within the hospital.Each pharmacist’s experiences and insights were gathered in their own words, allowing for a rich and nuanced picture of the current realities on the ground.The responses were then analyze using Braun and Clarke’s well-established six-step framework for thematic analysis, a process designed to systematically identify recurring patterns and meaningful themes.To ensure accuracy and organization, the Delve qualitative analysis tool was used to further validate the codes and themes that emerged.This approach allowed the study not just to capture the voices of those at the frontline, but to provide a practical, experience-based foundation for developing an operational plan tailored to the unique needs and context of the institution.The analysis of the collected responses brought to light ten core themes that paint a vivid picture of the clinical pharmacy landscape in the hospital.Pharmacists described how their role is steadily evolving, moving beyond traditional tasks and becoming more involved in direct patient care.However, this transition has not been without its hurdles.Chronic staffing shortages and resource gaps mean that pharmacists are often stretched thin, trying to balance both clinical and logistical responsibilities.At the same time, inconsistent policy implementation and a lack of clear, updated standard operating procedures (SOPs) make it even harder for them to practice to the fullest extent of their training.This study highlighted the importance of strategic workforce planning, clear policies, technology adoption, and a culture of teamwork to fully realize the benefits of clinical pharmacy services.The insights gathered, serve not only as a mirror for institutional selfassessment but as a roadmap for meaningful improvements that can enhance patient care, empower pharmacists, and help set a higher standard for clinical pharmacy in Philippine hospitals.