Validation of tools for the evaluation of pharmaceutical services: A systematic review

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify and evaluate studies that performed the validation of tools applied to health evaluation with a focus on pharmaceutical services. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify validation studies involving pharmaceutical services. The search for articles strategy was held in databases: EMBASE, PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and CINHAL. The descriptors used were: ("Pharmaceutical services" or "Pharmacy Services") and ("Validation Studies" or "Evaluation Studies"). The results showed that 18 community pharmacies (78%) were leading studies realization scenarios. Regarding the data extraction strategy, the questionnaire was the strategy most commonly used with 20 (86%). With regard to the objectives of the studies, 13 (56%) pointed to the development and validation of tools for verification of patient satisfaction with pharmaceutical services. 20 (86%) studies carried out the analyses of reliability and validity and only one realized (4%) singly the reliability analyses. The reviewed studies did not indicate the potential of their instruments in interventions to improve pharmaceutical services as well as the potential beneficial effects of these interventions. Thus, research is needed to develop and validate instruments directed at pharmaceutical services, especially in hospitals, in order to improve the quality of services provided to users, influence users' quality of life, and decrease the demand for health services.