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Aly A, Hishari O, Stewart D, Awaisu A, Elshami S, Mukhalalati B. Exploring the perceptions of faculty members about research courses in undergraduate pharmacy curriculum: A qualitative study. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0305946. [PMID: 38917131 PMCID: PMC11198811 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE The commitment of pharmacy graduates to patient care and research is crucial to advancing pharmaceutical science and practice. Consequently, the value of involving undergraduate pharmacy students in research has been increasingly recognized. Given that the College of Pharmacy at Qatar University offers two undergraduate pharmacy research courses, it is relevant to explore the perception of faculty members of the delivery, impact, facilitators, barriers, and suggested improvements in these courses. This exploration will help to improve the existing curriculum and to highlight the prospective impact of student involvement in undergraduate pharmacy research courses on the personal and professional growth of students, as well as on the progressive evolution of the pharmacy profession. METHODS A qualitative exploratory case study was performed in which five virtual focus groups were conducted. All eligible faculty members from the clinical pharmacy and pharmaceutical science departments with experience supervising students who had taken one or two undergraduate pharmacy research courses were invited to participate. The focus group questions were based on the Theoretical domain framework of behavioral determinants. Verbatim transcription was performed, and the collected data were thematically analyzed using the computer-assisted coding software NVivo®. RESULTS Of the 26 eligible faculty members, 21 participated in this study. Five deductive themes were identified: social professional role and influences, beliefs about capabilities, skills, beliefs about consequences and goals, and environmental resources and behavioral regulations. Overall, faculty members identified themselves as assessors and mentors. Participants expected students to possess independence, responsibility, and motivation. They believed that students generally required more practical research skills. Several benefits of incorporating students into undergraduate research have been highlighted, including increased publication productivity and quality. However, several hurdles to undergraduate research in pharmacy have been identified, including limited resources, limited timeframes, and sometimes delayed ethical approval. CONCLUSION Faculty members expressed optimism regarding the undergraduate research courses. However, some logistical concerns, including the lengthy ethical approval process and resource availability, must be addressed to optimize the effectiveness of these courses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaliah Aly
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Practice, College of Pharmacy, QU-Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ola Hishari
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Practice, College of Pharmacy, QU-Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Derek Stewart
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Practice, College of Pharmacy, QU-Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ahmed Awaisu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Practice, College of Pharmacy, QU-Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sara Elshami
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Practice, College of Pharmacy, QU-Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Banan Mukhalalati
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Practice, College of Pharmacy, QU-Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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Dabrowska N, Malmberg L, Nejati H, Volle CB, Røssing Witzø M, Yaman H, Gazerani P. Competence in Sports Pharmacy among Pharmacy Students in Norway. PHARMACY 2023; 12:3. [PMID: 38251397 PMCID: PMC10801607 DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy12010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Pharmacists are competent to promote the proper use of medicines. According to the International Pharmaceutical Federation, pharmacists must develop competence in sports pharmacy and the contents of the World Anti-Doping Agency code. This explorative study aimed to identify the status of sports pharmacy in pharmacy education in Norway and competence in sports pharmacy among Norwegian pharmacy students. The study curricula of pharmacy education were examined for the content of sports pharmacy. An online questionnaire was also developed and distributed among pharmacy students. The anonymous survey collected demographic information and data on competence in sports pharmacy. Data from 122 participants were analyzed. Only 22.5% of pharmacy students had acquired a form of training in sports pharmacy and 91.7% wished to gain higher competence. In total, 40.2% of respondents were uncomfortable in advising athletes and trainers on medication use in sports. Study year was found to correlate with competence level with a significant difference between the 3rd year (bachelor) and 5th year (master) students. Age, institution, and number of years engaged in sports were not associated with competence level. The inclusion of sports pharmacy in pharmacy programs holds practical relevance for enhancing competency levels. This implementation can be realized through the integration of sports pharmacy modules and/or the incorporation of research-based activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Dabrowska
- Department of Life Sciences and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, 0130 Oslo, Norway
| | - Lone Malmberg
- Department of Life Sciences and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, 0130 Oslo, Norway
| | - Hadis Nejati
- Department of Life Sciences and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, 0130 Oslo, Norway
| | - Cecilie Bach Volle
- Department of Life Sciences and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, 0130 Oslo, Norway
| | - Maren Røssing Witzø
- Department of Life Sciences and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, 0130 Oslo, Norway
| | - Hatice Yaman
- Department of Life Sciences and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, 0130 Oslo, Norway
| | - Parisa Gazerani
- Department of Life Sciences and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, 0130 Oslo, Norway
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, 9260 Gistrup, Denmark
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Kusynová Z, van den Ham HA, Leufkens HGM, Mantel-Teeuwisse AK. Pharmaceutical Scientists' Perspectives on Capacity Building in Pharmaceutical Sciences. J Pharm Sci 2023; 112:1997-2003. [PMID: 37137440 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2023.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
With the anticipated health challenges brought by demographic and technological changes, ensuring capacity in underlying workforce in place is essential for addressing patients' needs. Therefore, a timely identification of important drivers facilitating capacity building is important for strategic decisions and workforce planning. In 2020, internationally renowned pharmaceutical scientists (N = 92), largely from the academia and pharmaceutical industry, with mostly pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences educational background were approached (through a questionnaire) for their considerations on influencing drivers to facilitate meeting current capacity in pharmaceutical sciences research. From a global view, based on the results of the questionnaire, the top drivers were better alignment with patient needs as well as strengthening education - both through continuous learning and deeper specialisation. The study also showed that capacity building is more than simply increasing the influx of graduates. Pharmaceutical sciences are being influenced by other disciplines, and we can expect more diversity in scientific background and training. Capacity building of pharmaceutical scientists should allow flexibility for rapid change driven by the clinic and need for specialised science and it should be underpinned by lifelong learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Kusynová
- Utrecht WHO Collaborating Centre for Pharmaceutical Policy and Regulation, Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), The Hague, the Netherlands
| | - H A van den Ham
- Utrecht WHO Collaborating Centre for Pharmaceutical Policy and Regulation, Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - H G M Leufkens
- Utrecht WHO Collaborating Centre for Pharmaceutical Policy and Regulation, Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - A K Mantel-Teeuwisse
- Utrecht WHO Collaborating Centre for Pharmaceutical Policy and Regulation, Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Firus Khan AY, Ramli AS, Abdul Razak S, Mohd Kasim NA, Chua YA, Ul-Saufie AZ, Jalaludin MA, Nawawi H. The Mala ysian HEalth and Well Being Assessmen T (MyHEBAT) Study Protocol: An Initiation of a National Registry for Extended Cardiovascular Risk Evaluation in the Community. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph191811789. [PMID: 36142062 PMCID: PMC9517557 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191811789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been a burden to many developing countries for decades, including Malaysia. Although various steps have been taken to prevent and manage CVD, it remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. The rising prevalence of CVD risk factors such as hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, diabetes, overweight and obesity is the main driving force behind the CVD epidemic. Therefore, a nationwide health study coined as the Malaysian Health and Wellbeing Assessment (MyHEBAT) was designed. It aimed to investigate the prevalence of CVD and the associated risk factors in the community across Malaysia. The MyHEBAT study recruited participants (18-75 years old) through community health screening programmes from 11 states in Malaysia. The MyHEBAT study was further divided into two sub-studies, namely, the Cardiovascular Risk Epidemiological Study (MyHEBAT-CRES) and the MyHEBAT Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Study (MyHEBAT-FH). These studies assessed the prevalence of CVD risk factors and the prevalence of FH in the community, respectively. The data garnered from the MyHEBAT study will provide information for healthcare providers to devise better prevention and clinical practice guidelines for managing CVD in Malaysia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Al’aina Yuhainis Firus Khan
- Institute of Pathology, Laboratory and Forensic Medicine (I-PPerForM), Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh 47000, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Anis Safura Ramli
- Institute of Pathology, Laboratory and Forensic Medicine (I-PPerForM), Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh 47000, Selangor, Malaysia
- Departments of Primary Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh 47000, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Suraya Abdul Razak
- Institute of Pathology, Laboratory and Forensic Medicine (I-PPerForM), Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh 47000, Selangor, Malaysia
- Departments of Primary Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh 47000, Selangor, Malaysia
- Cardio Vascular and Lungs Research Institute (CaVaLRI), Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh 47000, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Noor Alicezah Mohd Kasim
- Institute of Pathology, Laboratory and Forensic Medicine (I-PPerForM), Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh 47000, Selangor, Malaysia
- UiTM Al-Sultan Abdullah Hospital, Puncak Alam 42300, Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Sungai Buloh Campus, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Jalan Hospital, Sungai Buloh 47000, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Yung-An Chua
- Institute of Pathology, Laboratory and Forensic Medicine (I-PPerForM), Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh 47000, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Ahmad Zia Ul-Saufie
- Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam 40450, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Amin Jalaludin
- Department of Otorhinolaringology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Hapizah Nawawi
- Institute of Pathology, Laboratory and Forensic Medicine (I-PPerForM), Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh 47000, Selangor, Malaysia
- UiTM Al-Sultan Abdullah Hospital, Puncak Alam 42300, Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Sungai Buloh Campus, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Jalan Hospital, Sungai Buloh 47000, Selangor, Malaysia
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The role of community pharmacists in immunisation: a national cross-sectional study. Int J Clin Pharm 2021; 44:409-417. [PMID: 34826016 PMCID: PMC8622494 DOI: 10.1007/s11096-021-01357-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Background Austrian pharmacists are not authorised to administer immunisations, and evidence about their willingness to immunise is lacking. Aim The aim of this study is to investigate Austrian community pharmacists’ willingness to administer immunisations in the future. Method This study is designed as a cross-sectional online survey based on the theoretical domains framework (TDF). The validated and piloted questionnaire obtained ethical approval by Robert Gordon University. Outcome measures included pharmacists’ willingness to immunise, service requirements, barriers and education needs. Results The questionnaire was sent out to 3086 community pharmacists of which 380 responses were included in the final analysis (12.3%). Willingness to administer immunisations after appropriate training and legislative regulation was stated by 82.6% (n = 314) of participants. It was demonstrated that pharmacists willing to immunise were significantly younger than their counterpart (38 [IQR 31–49] years vs. 45 [IQR 37.5–54] years; OR 1.06; 1.03–1.09, 95% CI; p < 0.001). ‘Legal liability’ was considered the most critical barrier to service implementation, ‘seeing blood’ and ‘close patient contact’ as least critical. Pharmacists not willing to immunise showed a higher probability to evaluate personnel resources (OR 2.98; 1.35–6.58, 95% CI; p = 0.007), close patient contact (OR 2.79; 1.46–5.34, 95% CI; p = 0.002) and management of side effects (OR 2.62; 1.21–5.67, 95% CI; p = 0.015) as (highly) critical. The majority assessed the ‘right timing for training’ to be after the foundation training with a 2-yearly renewal. Conclusion Austrian community pharmacists show a strong willingness to administer immunisations while highlighting important requirements and barriers towards service implementation.
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