• Michelle Watson, Bridgette M Bewick, and Puvan Tharmanathan.
• School of Medicine, Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
• J Eval Clin Pract. 2020 Feb 1; 26 (1): 142-148.

Rationale, Aims, And ObjectivesSecondary care pharmacists are well positioned within the healthcare system to communicate with patients and provide guidance and advice regarding drug treatments. They are able to broaden the opportunities to raise the profile of Clinical Trials of Investigational Medicinal Products (CTIMPs) and positively influence research. This research aimed to investigate the perceived benefits and barriers of secondary care pharmacists being involved in CTIMPs, their current role, and the perceived benefits and barriers of developing their role in facilitating patient participation for CTIMPs (eg, by identifying or recruiting potential participants).MethodsA cross-sectional quantitative online survey circulated to pharmacy professionals within the UK.ResultsInvolvement in CTIMPs and the facilitation of patient participation offered several benefits including improved communication and relationships with other healthcare professionals, developing the profession, developing training and knowledge, and exploring a personal interest. The main barriers to involvement included a lack of opportunities or awareness of opportunities, time, and funding or resources. Those employed at sites with a larger number of CTIMPs agreed more with the disadvantages; however, they also showed greater agreeance towards the benefits of pharmacy being involved in facilitating patient participation.ConclusionsMost respondents do not currently have a role in identifying or recruiting potential participants. Despite this, being involved in CTIMPs and the facilitation of patient participation was suggested to offer several benefits. Given many participants agreed there are barriers to their involvement, future research should focus on exploring organizational and individual challenges with the aim of enabling pharmacists to support recruitment activities.© 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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