[14] Additionally, communication between GPs and community pharmacists is currently sporadic and reactive, risking fragmentation of patient care.[15] Few studies have explored stakeholder views on pharmacist integration into general practices to date, none of which have explored the views of Australian GPs and pharmacists. The aim of this study was to elicit the views of Australian GPs and pharmacists on the integration of pharmacists Sirolimus in vitro into the general practice setting, the proposed roles for a general practice pharmacist, and the factors influencing integration. Advertisements and letters of invitation

were disseminated through the Victorian Divisions of General Practice (a support network for GPs in Victoria, Australia), the Australian Association of Consultant Pharmacy (AACP) (the credentialing and accreditation body for Australian consultant pharmacists) and key informants in the area. A combination of purposive, snowball and convenience sampling was used to ensure a broad sample from the two health professional groups. Participants were selected according to their role in the profession and whether they

had previous experience working with or as an on-site general practice pharmacist, or a pharmacist closely associated with a general practice. General practice staff and pharmacists were interviewed Obatoclax Mesylate (GX15-070) one-to-one, using a semi-structured interview guide E7080 molecular weight developed from the literature (Table 1). Face and content validity were established by discussion with pharmacists and the guide was

pilot tested on two interviewees. Interviews occurred over the period from December 2010 to June 2011; written consent was obtained from all participants prior to the interview. All interviews were conducted by the same interviewer (ET), either face-to-face or by telephone, according to participant preference, at a mutually convenient place and time. Recruitment and interviews continued until data saturation was reached (i.e. when no new, relevant themes were emerging). Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim by an independent, professional transcribing service. All transcripts were verified against audio recordings by ET. Data management was facilitated using Nvivo 9.0 software (QSR, Melbourne). Interview transcripts, recordings and field notes were entered into the software. Data were analysed and coded for emergent themes using the framework approach, whereby a draft thematic framework, based on a priori issues, was applied to the data.[16] The framework was structured according to the interview guide and checked independently by all authors. This aided subsequent detailed analysis and interpretation.