Do pay-for-performance schemes improve quality in community pharmacy? A mixed-methods study exploring stakeholder perspectives on implementation of the nationwide Pharmacy Quality Scheme (PQS) in England?

ABSTRACT:

Main study objectives

To evaluate implementation and impact (at pharmacy and system level) of the pharmacy quality scheme (PQS), a pay-for-performance quality incentive scheme in community pharmacies in England since 2017.

Methods

Mixed-methods evaluation. Three linked datasets for 2021/22 (n = 10,135) were analysed for impact of pharmacy size, type (independent, chain, supermarket), location, prescription volume, and region on PQS participation, domains completion and payments. Forty-one qualitative interviews conducted with pharmacists, employers and representative bodies explored views and experiences of PQS implementation and impact. Harrington et al.'s conceptual framework for evaluating community pharmacy pay-for-performance programmes guided qualitative data analysis.

SUBMITTER: Schafheutle EI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12002447 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature