Date of Conferral

2020

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Health Services

Advisor

Warren G. McDonald

Abstract

The workplace milieu in Nigerian public health facilities is marked with rivalry and lack of teamwork among health care professionals. Using a mixed methods research design with a phenomenological approach, the study evaluated the perceptions of public sector pharmacists regarding their beliefs and attitudes towards teamwork in their workplace. The study was based on the theoretical framework of theory of action, belief system theory (BST), cognitive-behavioral system, and self-perception theory. Using purposive sampling, experiential pharmacists working in a tertiary health facility in Nigeria were recruited as study participants. In the quantitative study, participants (n=12) were administered questionnaires with demographic questions and Likert scale closed-ended questions. The qualitative stage involved focus group discussions with participants (n=4) drawn from the same group used in the quantitative study. The quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 and NVivo software respectively. Data from the focus group discussion were identified and categorized into themes using the BST construct. Results revealed that doctor’s perceived superiority and ownership of patients, turf protection, lack of knowledge of the role of pharmacists, disparity in remunerations, poor communication, resistance to change, defective leadership style, and other factors were impediments to teamwork. While dynamism, innovation, ingenuity, and proficiency were believed to promote teamwork. The participants affirmed that they are team players, and that health care professionals working as a team would improve health care services in Nigeria. To improve health care services in Nigeria, there is need to address the impediments, while factors that promote teamwork should be strengthened.

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