Participant information
My name is Simoné Eksteen, a part-time Master of Pharmacy Practice student at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. You are invited to participate in a modified electronic Delphi (e-Delphi) survey conducted for research purposes. Should you have any questions, please contact me or any of my supervisors (see Contact & ethics).
What is this project about?
This study aims to support the development of measurable quality indicators for pharmaceutical services provided in South African community pharmacies within the primary healthcare setting. Specifically, it seeks to identify and prioritise quality indicators for pharmaceutical care in community pharmacy, focusing on hypertension, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidaemia; contribute to standardisation of services; support measurement of patient outcomes associated with pharmacist-provided care; and highlight the contribution of pharmacists' clinical skills and medicines expertise.
Why have you been invited?
You are regarded as having expertise in one or more of: non-communicable diseases; primary healthcare; multidisciplinary or integrated care; healthcare policy and legislation; healthcare funding; occupational, pharmaceutical or nursing policy; pharmacy workforce development; or development and monitoring of minimum standards for best practice. Particular value is placed on pharmacists with extensive practical community pharmacy experience, including owners and managers.
What will be expected of you?
- Participating in 2 sequential e-Delphi survey rounds.
- Each round takes approximately 45–60 minutes.
- After each round, anonymous group feedback is shared so you can reconsider your responses.
- Responses remain confidential and anonymous to other panel members. There are no right or wrong answers.
Risks, benefits and confidentiality
There is no remuneration or direct personal benefit, and no foreseeable risks, disadvantages or penalties for participating, declining or withdrawing. No demographic information or contact details will be disclosed outside the research team. Data are stored on secure, password-protected systems accessible only to the researcher and supervisors, and retained for at least five years after publication, after which they may be securely destroyed. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time without penalty.
What will happen with the findings?
Findings will be compiled into a dissertation available through the UKZN digital repository and may be presented at conferences or published. A summary can be emailed to you on request.
Ethical approval
Overseen by the UKZN Human and Social Science Ethics Research Committee, protocol HSSREC/00008280/2025. Ethics queries: hssrec@ukzn.ac.za, 031 260 4557.