This study attempted to define the characteristics and process components of pharmaceutical care, and to quantify the extent to which they compare in community pharmacists' perception of practice. Published literature and personal interviews were synthesized into a 75-question, cross-sectional, self-evaluated survey that was sent to all in-state members of the Virginia Pharmacists Association. A Community-based Pharmaceutical Care Index (CPCI) was developed to categorize and compare respondents. Individuals with scores greater than 1 standard deviation above (CPCI > or = 72.6, 14%, n = 91) and below (CPCI < or = 44.3, 16%, n = 106) the mean (CPCI = 58.4) were defined as high- and low-CPCI pharmacists, respectively. The response rate for the survey was 58% (972/1672). The high-CPCI pharmacists practiced predominantly in independently owned pharmacies in rural Virginia and appeared to have good rapport with their patients and local physicians. The presence of high-CPCI pharmacists working in chain-owned pharmacies indicated that the setting was not the only factor determining the decision to practice pharmaceutical care. As the prescription volume increased beyond 150/day, the number of high-CPCI pharmacists able to maintain their practice style rapidly declined. The CPCI allows differentiation and comparison of individual pharmacists along the spectrum of patient care.