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Thai T, Lancsar E, Spinks J, Freeman C, Chen G. Understanding Australian pharmacy degree holders' job preferences through the lens of motivation-hygiene theory. Soc Sci Med 2024; 348:116832. [PMID: 38569288 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.116832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Increasing the contribution of pharmacists to primary care has been long discussed, particularly in the context of health workforce shortages and the push to better integrate all providers across primary care. This study examines the employment preferences of Australian pharmacy degree holders (PDHs) elicited through a discrete choice experiment (DCE), to better understand the drivers of current labour force choices. A labelled DCE was developed incorporating the six employment sectors: hospital pharmacy, community pharmacy, primary healthcare settings, pharmaceutical industry, government/academia, and non-pharmacy-related sector. Each alternative was described by five attributes using Herzberg's Two Factor Theory as a conceptual framework. They include motivators - role and career opportunities, and hygiene factors-flexible work schedule, geographic location, and salary. Unforced choice data were analysed using conditional logit and mixed logit models. Based on a sample of 678 PDHs in Australia, our findings indicated pharmaceutical industry is the least preferred sector, followed by non-pharmacy-related sector. Motivators in the form of role and career opportunities are the most important attributes in hospital pharmacy while hygiene factors - geographic location and salary significantly drive the choice of community pharmacy and primary care settings. We provided evidence of a willingness to adopt expanded roles in community pharmacy. This unique interpretation of the key drivers of employment preference in light of motivators and hygiene factors provides policy makers with important information when designing policies to attract and retain PDHs across employment sectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thao Thai
- Health Economics Group, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 4, 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.
| | - Emily Lancsar
- Department of Health Services Research & Policy, Research School of Population Health, College of Health & Medicine, The Australian National University, 63A Eggleston Road, Acton ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Jean Spinks
- Centre for the Business and Economics of Health, Lev 5, Bld 14, The University of Queensland, St Lucia Campus, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Christopher Freeman
- The University of Queensland, School of Pharmacy, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; The University of Queensland, Faculty of Medicine, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Gang Chen
- Centre for Health Economics, Monash Business School, Monash University, Level 5, Building H, Caulfield Campus, 900 Dandenong Road, Caulfield East, VIC, 3145, Australia
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Zhang Y, Huang Y, Xi X. Association of the barriers of pharmaceutical care perceived by clinical pharmacists and occupational stress in tertiary hospitals of China. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1342565. [PMID: 38655521 PMCID: PMC11035884 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1342565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective As an important member of the healthcare team, clinical pharmacists' occupational stress will lead to a decline in the quality of pharmaceutical care. According to person-environment fit theory, barriers of pharmaceutical care perceived by clinical pharmacists may be a potential factor influencing occupational stress. This study aimed to assess the association between the specific barriers of pharmaceutical care perceived by clinical pharmacists and their occupational stress in China. Method A field-based questionnaire survey of tertiary hospitals was conducted in 31 provincial administrative regions in mainland China using a multi-stage stratified sampling method. Data on occupational stress, barriers of pharmaceutical care perceived by clinical pharmacists and other factors of job stress were collected using the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire and a self-administered instrument. The instruments have undergone multiple rounds of pilot investigations, and their reliability is acceptable. Ordinary least squares regression was used to evaluate the association of the perceived barriers and other factors with their occupational stress. Result A total of 625 clinical pharmacists from 311 tertiary hospitals in China (response rate = 84%) participated. Perceived resource dimension barriers (p = 0.00) and self-improvement dimension barriers (p = 0.01) were associated with increased occupational stress of the participants. In addition, clinical pharmacists with senior professional titles and engaged in neurology and ICU have higher occupational stress. Conclusion By removing barriers to pharmacists' resources and self-improvement, it is possible to better meet the work needs of clinical pharmacists and may effectively reduce occupational stress, thereby improving the quality of pharmaceutical services.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Xiaoyu Xi
- National Medical Products Administration Key Laboratory for Drug Regulatory Innovation and Evaluation, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
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Radomski TR, Decker A, Khodyakov D, Thorpe CT, Hanlon JT, Roberts MS, Fine MJ, Gellad WF. Development of a Metric to Detect and Decrease Low-Value Prescribing in Older Adults. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2148599. [PMID: 35166780 PMCID: PMC8848205 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.48599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Metrics that detect low-value care in common forms of health care data, such as administrative claims or electronic health records, primarily focus on tests and procedures but not on medications, representing a major gap in the ability to systematically measure low-value prescribing. OBJECTIVE To develop a scalable and broadly applicable metric that contains a set of quality indicators (EVOLV-Rx) for use in health care data to detect and reduce low-value prescribing among older adults and that is informed by diverse stakeholders' perspectives. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This qualitative study used an online modified-Delphi method to convene an expert panel of 15 physicians and pharmacists. This panel, comprising clinicians, health system leaders, and researchers, was tasked with rating and discussing candidate low-value prescribing practices that were derived from medication safety criteria; peer-reviewed literature; and qualitative studies of patient, caregiver, and physician perspectives. The RAND ExpertLens online platform was used to conduct the activities of the panel. The panelists were engaged for 3 rounds between January 1 and March 31, 2021. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Panelists used a 9-point Likert scale to rate and then discuss the scientific validity and clinical usefulness of the criteria to detect low-value prescribing practices. Candidate low-value prescribing practices were rated as follows: 1 to 3, indicating low validity or usefulness; 3.5 to 6, uncertain validity or usefulness; and 6.5 to 9, high validity or usefulness. Agreement among panelists and the degree of scientific validity and clinical usefulness were assessed using the RAND/UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) Appropriateness Method. RESULTS Of the 527 low-value prescribing recommendations identified, 27 discrete candidate low-value prescribing practices were considered for inclusion in EVOLV-Rx. After round 1, 18 candidate practices were rated by the panel as having high scientific validity and clinical usefulness (scores of ≥6.5). After round 2 panel deliberations, the criteria to detect 19 candidate practices were revised. After round 3, 18 candidate practices met the inclusion criteria, receiving final median scores of 6.5 or higher for both scientific validity and clinical usefulness. Of those practices that were not included in the final version of EVOLV-Rx, 3 received high scientific validity (scores ≥6.5) but uncertain clinical usefulness (scores <6.5) ratings, whereas 6 received uncertain scientific validity rating (scores <6.5). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This study culminated in the development of EVOLV-Rx and involved a panel of experts who identified the 18 most salient low-value prescribing practices in the care of older adults. Applying EVOLV-Rx may enhance the detection of low-value prescribing practices, reduce polypharmacy, and enable older adults to receive high-value care across the full spectrum of health services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas R. Radomski
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Center for Pharmaceutical Policy and Prescribing, Health Policy Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion (CHERP), Veterans Affairs (VA) Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Alison Decker
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion (CHERP), Veterans Affairs (VA) Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Dmitry Khodyakov
- RAND Corporation, Pardee RAND Graduate School, Santa Monica, California
| | - Carolyn T. Thorpe
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion (CHERP), Veterans Affairs (VA) Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill
| | - Joseph T. Hanlon
- Center for Pharmaceutical Policy and Prescribing, Health Policy Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion (CHERP), Veterans Affairs (VA) Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Mark S. Roberts
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Department of Health Policy and Management, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Michael J. Fine
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion (CHERP), Veterans Affairs (VA) Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Walid F. Gellad
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Center for Pharmaceutical Policy and Prescribing, Health Policy Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion (CHERP), Veterans Affairs (VA) Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Barbour J, Hushen P, Newman GC, Vidal J. Impact of an emergency medicine pharmacist on door to needle alteplase time and patient outcomes in acute ischemic stroke. Am J Emerg Med 2021; 51:358-362. [PMID: 34823191 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2021.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Time is a critical metric in the emergency department (ED) for acute ischemic stroke and thrombolytic therapy. National guidelines have emphasized tracking time from stroke onset to treatment and decreasing door to needle (DTN) time [1, 2]. Multidisciplinary teamwork is encouraged but, there is limited evidence demonstrating the value of the pharmacist on the stroke response team. The goal of this study is to compare DTN times in the ED with or without a pharmacist at bedside and examine the impact on subsequent patient outcomes. METHODS This was a single-center retrospective cohort study. Investigators identified patients who presented to the ED between August 2016 - May 2020 with signs of ischemic stroke and subsequently received intravenous alteplase. Patients were excluded if they refused alteplase or received alteplase off-campus before being transferred. Pharmacist documentation of clinical interventions was used to identify participation on the stroke response team. The primary outcome was median DTN time. Secondary outcomes included severity of deficits measured by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), hospital length of stay (LOS), 90-day Modified Rankin Scale (mRS), incidence of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), and inpatient all-cause mortality. RESULTS Of the 164 patients included, 31 had an emergency medicine pharmacist at bedside (EMP group) and 133 did not (No EMP group). The median DTN time was significantly shorter at 35 min EMP [interquartile range (IQR) 29-44] vs 42 min No EMP [IQR 34-55]; p = 0.003. The number of cases achieving a DTN time of 30 min or less was significantly higher when a pharmacist was involved (35.5% vs.16.5%; p = 0.018) as well as the number of patients receiving alteplase within 45 min (80.7% vs. 57.1%; p = 0.015). NIHSS scores at discharge were lower in the EMP group (2 [IQR 0-5] vs. 4 [IQR 0-8.25]; p = 0.049). In patients with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed stroke, a difference was not observed in the secondary outcomes. CONCLUSION Patients with an emergency medicine pharmacist as part of their stroke response team had significantly lower DTN times. A higher proportion of these cases met benchmark DTN times less than 45 min and 30 min. An emergency medicine pharmacist on a stroke response team has the potential to improve patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Barbour
- Department of Pharmacy, Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
| | - Patricia Hushen
- Department of Neurology, Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - George C Newman
- Department of Neurology, Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jennifer Vidal
- Department of Pharmacy, Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Naidoo V, Suleman F, Bangalee V. Roles and reimbursement of pharmacists as South Africa transitions towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC): An online survey-based study. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0257348. [PMID: 34555058 PMCID: PMC8459985 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The implementation of Universal Health Coverage in SA has sought to focus on promoting affordable health care services that are accessible to all citizens. In this regard, pharmacists are expected to play a pivotal function in the revitalization of primary health care (PHC) during this transition by the expansion of their practice roles. OBJECTIVES To assess the readiness and perceptions of pharmacists to expand their roles in an integrated health care system. To determine the availability and pricing of primary health care services currently provided within a community pharmacy environment and to evaluate suitable reimbursement for the provision of such services by a community pharmacist. METHODS Community pharmacists' across SA were invited to participate in an online survey-based study. The survey consisted of both open- and closed-ended questions. Descriptive statistics for closed-ended questions were generated and analysed using Microsoft Excel® and Survey Monkey®. Responses for the open-ended questions were transcribed, analysed, and reported as emerging themes. RESULTS Six hundred and sixty-four pharmacists' responded to the online survey. Seventy-five percent of pharmacists' reported that with appropriate training, a transition into a more patient-centered role might be beneficial in the re-engineering of the PHC system. However, in order to adopt these new roles, appropriate reimbursement structures are required. The current fee levied by pharmacists in community pharmacies that offered these PHC services was found to be lower to that recommended by the South African Pharmacy Council; this disparity is primarily due to a lack of information and policy standardisation. Therefore, in order to ensure that fees levied are fair, comprehensive service package guidelines are required. CONCLUSIONS This study provides baseline data for policy makers on pharmacists' readiness to transition into expanded roles. Furthermore, it can be used as a foundation to establish appropriate reimbursement frameworks for pharmacists providing PHC services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivian Naidoo
- Discipline of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Westville Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Fatima Suleman
- Discipline of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Westville Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Varsha Bangalee
- Discipline of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Westville Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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Li WJ, Xia MJ, Gong SW, Ding YF. Perceptions of Generic Drugs in the Pharmacists of Public Hospitals: A Cross-sectional Survey in Hubei Province of China. Curr Med Sci 2021; 41:987-995. [PMID: 34476663 DOI: 10.1007/s11596-021-2412-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Generic drugs provide an opportunity for savings in drug expenditure since they are available at a lower cost and do not affect patients' health. A better understanding of pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes, and perception can promote the quality use of generic drugs. The objective of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and perception of pharmacists from tertiary hospitals in China regarding generic drugs. METHODS A cross-sectional survey using a postal questionnaire was conducted, which was sent to 200 hospital pharmacists randomly selected from tertiary hospitals in Hubei Province. A total of 125 questionnaires out of 200 were received. Of the respondents, 80 were female and 45 were male. RESULTS The majority of respondents (87.2%) could clearly distinguish between original and generic drugs. Pharmacists agreed that generic drugs were less effective (52.8%) and produced more side effects (52%). Fortynine respondents thought that generic drug products were not adequately tested. Approximately 78% and 60% of the pharmacists indicated that generic substitution was not feasible for drugs with narrow therapeutic windows and drugs for critical diseases, respectively. Most of them supported the recommendation of generic drugs based on professional judgment. CONCLUSION Our study showed that a considerable portion of Chinese hospital pharmacists hold negative perceptions of generic drugs. Interventions to improve pharmacists' knowledge of generic drugs are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Jie Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Mei-Jun Xia
- Department of Pharmacy Business and Administration, School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Shi-Wei Gong
- Department of Pharmacy Business and Administration, School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - Yu-Feng Ding
- Department of Pharmacy, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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Simon MA, Raja BY, Varughese PC, Daniel LM, Sowjanya K, S KJ, S S, Rathinam KK, Kumar J P. Pharmacist led intervention towards management of type 2 diabetes mellitus and assessment of patient satisfaction of care - A prospective, randomized controlled study. Diabetes Metab Syndr 2021; 15:102208. [PMID: 34298274 DOI: 10.1016/j.dsx.2021.102208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetes mellitus, a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycaemia is due to impaired insulin secretion and deficiency. Though effective current drug therapies are available for diabetes, yet glycaemic maintenance remains a challenge without medication adherence. This necessitates a holistic approach to improve clinical outcomes for a better patient health care. METHODS A prospective, interventional, randomized controlled study was conducted among 97 type 2 diabetic patients for 6 months. The primary outcome measures included patient satisfaction of care assessment by diabetes treatment satisfaction questionnaire (DTSQ) and medication adherence by medication adherence rating scale (MARS). Secondary outcomes included assessment of knowledge, attitude, and perception and laboratory parameters. The collected data was analyzed using paired and unpaired T-test. RESULTS Of 97 patients randomized to group A (n = 49) and group B (n = 48), there were 3 and 1 drop-out in group A and B, respectively. The mean age of patients was found to be 56.82 ± 4.06 years. At the 6thmonth follow up, significant improvement of glycaemic parameters was observed in group A vs B. Mean MARS and DTSQ scores also improved in group A vs. B (P-value <0.05). CONCLUSION Pharmacist-provided counselling improves patient compliance, quality of life and satisfaction of care in diabetic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manithottiyle Angelo Simon
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, SRM College of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603 203, Chengalpattu (DT), Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Bandaru Yeswanth Raja
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, SRM College of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603 203, Chengalpattu (DT), Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Paulin C Varughese
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, SRM College of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603 203, Chengalpattu (DT), Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Linda Mary Daniel
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, SRM College of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603 203, Chengalpattu (DT), Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Kolli Sowjanya
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, SRM College of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603 203, Chengalpattu (DT), Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Kumar J S
- Department of General Medicine, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603203, Chengalpattu (DT), Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sarumathy S
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, SRM College of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603 203, Chengalpattu (DT), Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Kiran Kumar Rathinam
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, SRM College of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603 203, Chengalpattu (DT), Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Pravin Kumar J
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, SRM College of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603 203, Chengalpattu (DT), Tamil Nadu, India
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Paudyal V, Fialová D, Henman MC, Hazen A, Okuyan B, Lutters M, Cadogan C, da Costa FA, Galfrascoli E, Pudritz YM, Rydant S, Acosta-Gómez J. Pharmacists' involvement in COVID-19 vaccination across Europe: a situational analysis of current practice and policy. Int J Clin Pharm 2021; 43:1139-1148. [PMID: 34218402 PMCID: PMC8254632 DOI: 10.1007/s11096-021-01301-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
One year since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, rapid response measures have been implemented internationally to mitigate the spread of the virus. Following rapid and successful pre-clinical and human trials, several vaccines have been authorised for use across Europe through
the European Medicines Agency and national regulatory authorities. Clinical trials have shown promising results including important reductions in disease severity, hospitalisation and mortality. In order to maximise the public health benefit of available vaccines, there is a pressing need to vaccinate a large proportion of the population. Internationally, this has prompted coordination of existing services at enormous scale, and development and implementation of novel vaccination strategies to ensure maximum inoculation over the shortest possible timeframe. Pharmacists are being promoted as healthcare professionals that enhance roll-out of COVID-19 vaccination programmes. This paper aims to summarise current policy and practice in relation to pharmacists’ involvement in COVID-19 vaccination in 13 countries across Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vibhu Paudyal
- School of Pharmacy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
| | - Daniela Fialová
- Department of Social and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Geriatrics and Gerontology, 1st Faculty of Medicine in Prague, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martin C Henman
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ankie Hazen
- Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Betul Okuyan
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Monika Lutters
- Clinical Pharmacy, Cantonal Hospital Baden, Baden, Switzerland
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Cathal Cadogan
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | | | | | - Silas Rydant
- Meduca, Koninklijke Apothekersvereniging Antwerpen (KAVA), Lange Leemstraat 187, 2018, Antwerpen, Belgium
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Johnston K, O'Reilly CL, Scholz B, Georgousopoulou EN, Mitchell I. Burnout and the challenges facing pharmacists during COVID-19: results of a national survey. Int J Clin Pharm 2021; 43:716-725. [PMID: 33851288 PMCID: PMC8043093 DOI: 10.1007/s11096-021-01268-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Background COVID-19 has impacted the psychological wellbeing of healthcare workers and has forced pharmacists to adapt their services. Objective To measure burnout and describe the work and psychosocial factors affecting pharmacists during COVID-19, and to compare males and females. Setting An online survey was distributed to a convenience sample of pharmacists practicing in any setting in Australia during April and June 2020. Method The survey collected demographic data, burnout scores using the validated Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), psychosocial and work-related variables using questions adapted from previous surveys. It was tested for readability by a group of pharmacists and academic clinicians before distribution via social media and professional organisations. Main outcome measure Burnout was calculated using mean MBI scores, descriptive statistics were used to report work and psychosocial variables and Pearson's chi-square compared males and females. Results Overall, 647 responses were analysed. Most participants were female n = 487 (75.7%) with hospital n = 269 (42.2%) and community n = 253 (39.9%) pharmacists well represented. Mean (SD) for emotional exhaustion (possible range 0-54) and depersonalisation (possible range 0-30) were 28.5 (13.39) and 7.98 (5.64), which were higher (increased burnout) than reported pre-COVID-19. Personal accomplishment (range 0-48, lower scores associated with burnout) mean (SD) 36.58 (7.56), was similar to previously reported. Males reported higher depersonalisation indicating more withdrawal and cynicism. Working overtime, medication supply and patient incivility were reported to affect work. Conclusion Pharmacists are experiencing burnout, with work and psychosocial factors affecting them during COVID-19. Knowledge of this and that males experience more depersonalisation is valuable to inform advocacy and interventions to support pharmacists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karlee Johnston
- ANU Medical School, ANU College of Health and Medicine, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia.
| | - Claire L O'Reilly
- Sydney Pharmacy School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney NSW, Australia
| | - Brett Scholz
- ANU Medical School, ANU College of Health and Medicine, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia
| | - Ekavi N Georgousopoulou
- ANU Medical School, ANU College of Health and Medicine, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia
| | - Imogen Mitchell
- ANU Medical School, ANU College of Health and Medicine, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia
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Akour A, Elayeh E, Tubeileh R, Hammad A, Ya’Acoub R, Al-Tammemi AB. Role of community pharmacists in medication management during COVID-19 lockdown. Pathog Glob Health 2021; 115:168-177. [PMID: 33573528 PMCID: PMC8079017 DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2021.1884806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Preventive and control measures implemented by many countries to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 may negatively impact medication and chronic disease management, which can interfere with achieving patients' therapeutic goals. This study aims to evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 lockdown on these aspects, while exploring the role of community pharmacists. A cross-sectional study was conducted via a web-based questionnaire that targeted individuals who suffer from chronic diseases in Jordan. Participants were recruited by convenience sampling and were asked to self-report their ability to access medication, and the perceived role of community pharmacists. Among the 431 participants, the mean age ± SD (years) was 53.8 ± 13.7 and 60.1% (n= 259) were females. Participants mainly reported difficulties in accessing medication (n=198, 45.9%), reduced supplies or unavailability of medications (n=213, 49.4%), nonadherence to medications due to lack of access (n=98, 22.7%) and high costs (n=85, 19.7%). Participants avoided follow-ups due to a fear of infection (n=367, 82.5%) or prolonged waiting time in clinics (n=322, 74.7%). An increased reliance on the community pharmacy for medical advice was reported by 39.9% (n=172) of the participants, with half of them (n=217, 50.3%) depending on the pharmacists for advice regarding over-the-counter medications and COVID-19-related information (n=119, 27.6%). There is an urgent need to involve community pharmacists in medication and chronic disease management with a focus on patient adherence to ensure the optimal management of such vulnerable patient groups. Future studies to assess the effect of pharmacists' contributions towards enhancing medication/disease management are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amal Akour
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, the University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Eman Elayeh
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, the University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Razan Tubeileh
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Middle East University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Alaa Hammad
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Rawan Ya’Acoub
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, the University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Ala’a B. Al-Tammemi
- Doctoral School of Health Sciences, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
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Chen E, Goold S, Harrison S, Ali I, Makki I, Kent SS, Shuman AG. Drug shortage management: A qualitative assessment of a collaborative approach. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0243870. [PMID: 33891609 PMCID: PMC8064571 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug shortages frequently and persistently affect healthcare institutions, posing formidable financial, logistical, and ethical challenges. Despite plentiful evidence characterizing the impact of drug shortages, there is a remarkable dearth of data describing current shortage management practices. Hospitals within the same state or region may not only take different approaches to shortages but may be unaware of shortages proximate facilities are facing. Our goal is to explore how hospitals in Michigan handle drug shortages to assess potential need for comprehensive drug shortage management resources. We conducted semi-structured interviews with diverse stakeholders throughout the state to describe experiences managing drug shortages, approaches to recent shortages, openness to inter-institutional engagement, ideas for a shared resource, and potential obstacles to implementation. To solicit additional feedback on ideas for a shared resource gathered from the interviews, we held focus groups with pharmacists, physicians, ethicists, and community representatives. Among participants representing a heterogeneous sample of institutions, three themes were consistent: (1) numerous drug shortage strategies occurring simultaneously; (2) inadequate resources and lead time to proactively manage shortages; and (3) interest in, but varied attitudes toward, a collaborative approach. These data provide insight to help develop and test a shared drug shortage management resource for enhancing fair allocation of scarce drugs. A shared resource may help institutions adopt accepted best practices and more efficiently access or share finite resources in times of shortage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Susan Goold
- University of Michigan Medical School Center for Bioethics and Social Sciences in Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Sam Harrison
- University of Michigan Medical School Center for Bioethics and Social Sciences in Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Iman Ali
- University of Michigan Medical School Center for Bioethics and Social Sciences in Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Ibtihal Makki
- University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Stanley S. Kent
- Department of Pharmacy, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Andrew G. Shuman
- University of Michigan Medical School Center for Bioethics and Social Sciences in Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Alotaibi NH, Alzarea AI, Alotaibi AM, Khan YH, Mallhi TH, Alharbi KS, Alruwaili NK, Alanazi AS, Hassan A, Alotaib BS. Exploring satisfaction level among outpatients regarding pharmacy facilities and services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; a large regional analysis. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0247912. [PMID: 33793604 PMCID: PMC8016244 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Evaluation of patients`satisfaction towards pharmacy services is of utmost importance to ensure the quality of care. It helps in identifying domains requiring improvements to provide high quality pharmacy services to ensure the provision of enhanced pharmaceutical care. The current study aims to ascertain the extent of satisfaction towards pharmacy services among patients attending outpatient pharmacies in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study involving 746 patients attending outpatient pharmacies of various public hospitals was conducted from 01 January to 15 February 2020. Information on socio-demographic profile of the study subjects along with their satisfaction towards outpatient pharmacy was extracted by using a 23-items questionnaire. These questions were divided into two domains including 7 questions related to the pharmacy facilities (questions from 1F to 7F) and 8 questions for pharmacy services (questions from 1S to 8S), where F and S denotes facilities and services, respectively. The cumulative satisfaction score was estimated by a 5-item Likert scale with a maximum score of 5 for each item. The relationship between demographics and satisfaction scores was evaluated by using appropriate statistics. Results There were 746 patients with male preponderance (58.8%). The overall satisfaction score was 2.97 ± 0.65. Satisfaction towards pharmacy services scored lower (mean score: 3.91 ± 0.77) than pharmacy facilities (mean score: 4.03 ± 0.66). Items related to patient`s counseling (3F, 2S, 3S, 6S) scored least during the analysis. Older patients (p = 0.006), male gender (p<0.001), Saudi nationality (0.035), patients attending primary care centers (p = 0.02), and patients with chronic illnesses were significantly associated with lower satisfaction score. Conclusion This study reported that the satisfaction level of patients attending outpatient pharmacies was low and differed among various socio-demographic groups. Approximately one-half of the patients were not satisfied with outpatient pharmacy services. These findings underscore the dire need for managerial interventions including the hiring of trained professionals, onsite training of pharmacy staff, initiation of clinical or patient centered pharmacy services, evaluation of patient`s response towards the services and appropriate controlling measures, irrespective to the type of hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasser Hadal Alotaibi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka, Al-Jouf, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- * E-mail: (THM); (NHA)
| | - Abdulaziz Ibrahim Alzarea
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka, Al-Jouf, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Mohammed Alotaibi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka, Al-Jouf, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Yusra Habib Khan
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka, Al-Jouf, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Tauqeer Hussain Mallhi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka, Al-Jouf, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- * E-mail: (THM); (NHA)
| | - Khalid Saad Alharbi
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka, Al-Jouf, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Nabil K. Alruwaili
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka, Al-Jouf, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah S. Alanazi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka, Al-Jouf, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Health Sciences Research Unit, Jouf University, Jouf University, Sakaka, Al-Jouf, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Hassan
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sadat City (USC), Sadat City, Menoufia, Egypt
| | - Badriyah Shadid Alotaib
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of pharmacy, Princess Nourah Bint Abdualrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Kaya M, Nakamura K, Nagamine M, Suyama Y, Nakajo M, Uchida R, Hagikura K, Kanda A, Sugiyama K, Sugiyama R, Nakagaki S, Kimura M. A retrospective study comparing interventions by oncology and non-oncology pharmacists in outpatient chemotherapy. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2021; 4:e1371. [PMID: 33739629 PMCID: PMC8388162 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The differences in the clinical pharmacy services (CPS) provided by oncology and non-oncology pharmacists have not been sufficiently explained. AIM This study aimed to demonstrate the differences in direct CPS provided by oncology and non-oncology pharmacists for patients and physicians, and to assess the potential impact of these services on medical costs. METHODS We retrospectively examined CPS provided by oncology and non-oncology pharmacists for outpatients who underwent chemotherapy between January and December 2016. RESULTS In total, 1177 and 1050 CPS provided by oncology and non-oncology pharmacists, respectively, were investigated. The rates of interventions performed by oncology and non-oncology pharmacists for physicians-determined treatment were 18.5% and 11.3%, respectively (p < .001). The rates of oncology and non-oncology pharmacist interventions accepted by physicians were 84.6 and 78.8%, respectively (p = .12). Level 4 and Level 5 interventions accounted for 64.6% of all oncology pharmacist interventions and 53.0% of all non-oncology pharmacist interventions (p = .03). The rates of improvement in symptoms from adverse drug reactions among patients resulting from interventions by oncology and non-oncology pharmacists were 89.4 and 72.1%, respectively (p = .02). Conservative assessments of medical cost impact showed that a single intervention by an oncology and by a non-oncology pharmacist saved ¥6355 and ¥3604, respectively. CONCLUSION The results of the present study suggested that CPS by oncology pharmacists enable safer and more effective therapy for patients with cancer and indirectly contribute to reducing health care fees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michihiro Kaya
- Department of PharmacyShizuoka General HospitalShizuoka CityJapan
| | - Kazuyo Nakamura
- Department of PharmacyShizuoka General HospitalShizuoka CityJapan
| | - Makiko Nagamine
- Department of PharmacyShizuoka General HospitalShizuoka CityJapan
| | - Yukako Suyama
- Department of PharmacyShizuoka General HospitalShizuoka CityJapan
| | - Michiaki Nakajo
- Department of PharmacyShizuoka General HospitalShizuoka CityJapan
| | - Ryo Uchida
- Department of PharmacyShizuoka General HospitalShizuoka CityJapan
| | - Kakeru Hagikura
- Department of PharmacyShizuoka General HospitalShizuoka CityJapan
| | - Ai Kanda
- Department of PharmacyShizuoka General HospitalShizuoka CityJapan
| | - Kyohei Sugiyama
- Department of PharmacyShizuoka General HospitalShizuoka CityJapan
| | - Rina Sugiyama
- Department of PharmacyShizuoka General HospitalShizuoka CityJapan
| | - Shigeru Nakagaki
- Department of PharmacyShizuoka General HospitalShizuoka CityJapan
| | - Midori Kimura
- Department of PharmacyShizuoka General HospitalShizuoka CityJapan
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Wang HY, Feng YT, Wang JJ, Lim SW, Ho CH. Incidence of low back pain and potential risk factors among pharmacists: A population-based cohort study in Taiwan. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100:e24830. [PMID: 33655945 PMCID: PMC7939216 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000024830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common symptoms of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in pharmacists. This can impede the physical functions of the body and lead to incapacitation, resulting in significant social and economic burden. This study aimed to investigate the incidence and risk factors that correlate with LBP in Taiwanese pharmacists.A retrospective cohort study was conducted among all registered pharmacists aged 20 to 40 years using the National Health Insurance Research Database (2000-2013) in Taiwan. The LBP diagnosis was confirmed with one episode of hospitalization or at least three claimed outpatient visits for LBP. Data on workplace characteristics as well as comorbidities were also collected for the analyses. A Cox proportional hazard regression was used to estimate the risk factors for LBP.The incidence rate of LBP among pharmacists was 16.60% in this study. Older pharmacists (28.49%; P < .01) and those who worked at district hospitals (23.51%; P < .01) showed a higher proportion of LBP. Furthermore, after adjustment for selected potential confounding factors, female pharmacists [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 1.12, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.01-1.24, P = .0354] and pharmacists with diabetes (aHR: 1.55; 95% CI: 1.20-2.01; P = .0008) and gout (aHR: 1.70; 95% CI: 1.37-2.09; P < .0001) had significantly higher risks of LBP.In conclusion, age was positively correlated with LBP, and the workplace was an important factor in the development of LBP in pharmacists. We suggest that pharmacists who work in district hospitals should pay more attention to the development of LBP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hue-Yu Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Chi-Mei Medical Center
- Department of Pharmacy
- Department of Hospital and Health Care Administration, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan
| | - Yu-Tung Feng
- Graduate Institute of Healthcare Administration and Medical Informatics, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung
| | - Jhi-Joung Wang
- Department of Medical Research
- Department of Anesthesiology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan
- Allied AI Biomed Center, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology
| | - Sher-Wei Lim
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Chiali
- Department of Nursing, Min-Hwei College of Health Care Management, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Han Ho
- Department of Hospital and Health Care Administration, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan
- Department of Medical Research
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Graham-Clarke E, Rushton A, Marriott J. A Delphi study to explore and gain consensus regarding the most important barriers and facilitators affecting physiotherapist and pharmacist non-medical prescribing. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0246273. [PMID: 33529197 PMCID: PMC7853445 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-medical prescribing was introduced into the United Kingdom to improve patient care, but early research indicated a third of Allied Health Professionals may not use their prescribing qualification. A previous literature review, highlighting factors influencing prescribing, identified only papers with nursing and pharmacy participants. This investigation explored consensus on factors affecting physiotherapist and pharmacist non-medical prescribers. A three round Delphi study was conducted with pharmacist and physiotherapist prescribers. Round One comprised information gathering on facilitators and barriers to prescribing participants had experienced, and underwent content analysis. This was followed by two sequential consensus seeking rounds with participants asked to rate the importance of statements to themselves. Consensus criteria were determined a priori, including median, interquartile range, percentage agreement and Kendall’s Coefficient of Concordance (W). Statements reaching consensus were ranked for importance in Round Three and analysed to produce top ten ranks for all participants and for each professional group. Participants, recruited October 2018, comprised 24 pharmacists and 18 physiotherapists. In Round One, content analysis of 172 statements regarding prescribing influences revealed 24 themes. 127 statements were included in Round Two for importance rating (barriers = 68, facilitators = 59). After Round Two, 29 statements reached consensus (barriers = 1, facilitators = 28), with no further statements reaching consensus following Round Three. The highest ranked statement in Round Three overall was: “Being able to prescribe to patients is more effective and really useful working [in my area]”. Medical support and improved patient care factors appeared the most important. Differences were noted between physiotherapist and pharmacist prescribers regarding the top ten ranked statements, for example team working which pharmacists ranked higher than physiotherapists. Differences may be explained by the variety of practice areas and relative newness of physiotherapy prescribing. Barriers appear to be post or person specific, whereas facilitators appear universal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Graham-Clarke
- School of Pharmacy, Institute of Clinical Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Alison Rushton
- School of Physical Therapy, Western University, London, Canada
- Centre of Precision Rehabilitation for Spinal Pain, School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - John Marriott
- School of Pharmacy, Institute of Clinical Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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Dangi NB, Subedi S, Gyawali M, Bhattarai A, Bhandari TR. Medical abortion kit dispensing practices of community pharmacies in Pokhara Metropolitan, Nepal. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0244969. [PMID: 33439882 PMCID: PMC7806136 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Medical abortion (MA) refers to the use of medicines to terminate the pregnancy. There is an urgent need to spread safe abortion services in the community. This study assessed the MA kit dispensing practices of community pharmacies in Pokhara Valley, Nepal. Methods A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Pokhara Valley, Nepal from December 2017 to November 2018. Among the community pharmacies of Pokhara Valley, 115 community pharmacies were selected using a consecutive sampling method. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. MA kit and related information were requested by simulated male clients visiting the community pharmacies. The information obtained from the pharmacy workers was recorded in the data collection sheet. Results Nine brands of MA kit from eight manufacturing companies were found in practice in Pokhara Valley, out of those only five (56%) were registered in Nepal. Seven brands were sold at more than the labeled price. The pharmacy workers asked about the gestational age and confirmation of pregnancy in all the cases. Most of them counseled the clients on the frequency, duration, and direction of use. Dispensing practice and level of counseling were found to be significantly correlated (r = 0.40, p value = 0.01). Conclusion Despite the awareness of the pharmacy workers on the MA kit, most of them provided limited information to the clients. Nearly half unregistered MA kits were found in practice at the community pharmacies. Thus, the Department of Drugs Administration and other concerned authorities must provide relevant training and awareness programs to the pharmacy workers of the community pharmacies for preventing the malpractice of MA kit. The Government of Nepal must restrict the illegal entry of unregistered brands and assure the standards of MA kit by regulating drug acts and policies effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nim Bahadur Dangi
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Health and Allied Sciences, Pokhara University, Pokhara, Nepal
- * E-mail:
| | - Sangam Subedi
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Health and Allied Sciences, Pokhara University, Pokhara, Nepal
| | - Mahasagar Gyawali
- Janamaitri Foundation Institute of Health Sciences (JFIHS), Hattiban, Lalitpur, Nepal
| | - Aashish Bhattarai
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Health and Allied Sciences, Pokhara University, Pokhara, Nepal
| | - Tulsi Ram Bhandari
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Health and Allied Sciences, Pokhara University, Pokhara, Nepal
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Rubin B, Goldfarb R, Satele D, Graham L. Burnout and distress among allied health care professionals in a cardiovascular centre of a quaternary hospital network: a cross-sectional survey. CMAJ Open 2021; 9:E29-E37. [PMID: 33436453 PMCID: PMC7843078 DOI: 10.9778/cmajo.20200059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Burnout and distress negatively affect the well-being of health care professionals and the treatment they provide. Our aim was to measure the prevalence of burnout and distress among allied health care staff at a cardiovascular centre of a quaternary hospital network in Canada, and compare outcomes to those for nonphysician employees in the United States. METHODS We conducted a survey of allied health care staff, including physical, respiratory and occupational therapists, pharmacists, social workers, dietitians and speech-language pathologists, in a cardiovascular centre at 2 quaternary referral hospitals in Toronto, Ontario, between Nov. 27, 2018, and Jan. 31, 2019. The survey tool included the Well-Being Index (WBI), which measures fatigue, depression, burnout, anxiety or stress, quality of life, work-life integration, meaning in work and overall distress; a score of 2 or higher indicated high distress. We carried out standard univariate statistical comparisons using the χ2, Fisher exact or Kruskal-Wallis test as appropriate to perform univariate comparisons in the sample of respondents. We assessed the relation between a WBI score of 2 or higher and demographic characteristics. We compared univariate associations among WBI data for nonphysician employees in the US who completed the WBI to responses from our participants. RESULTS The response rate to the survey was 86% (45/52). Thirty-three respondents (73%) reported experiencing burnout in the previous month, and 31 (69%) reported emotional problems. Compared to respondents who perceived fair treatment in the workplace, those who perceived unfair treatment (20 [44%]) were more likely to report emotional problems (17 [85%] v. 13 [54%], p = 0.05), to worry that work was hardening them emotionally (15 [75%] v. 8 [33%], p = 0.008), and to feel down, depressed or hopeless (12 [60%] v. 4 [17%], p = 0.005). Twenty-five respondents (56%) and 13 respondents (29%) reported WBI scores consistent with high (≥ 2) or severe (≥ 5) distress, respectively. Respondents were more likely to have a high WBI score if they perceived unfair treatment or inadequate staffing levels. Our respondents had a higher prevalence of burnout (73.3% v. 53.6%, p = 0.008) and a higher average WBI score (2.6 [SD 2.8] v. 1.7 [SD 2.6], p = 0.05) than 9096 nonphysician employees in the US. INTERPRETATION The prevalence of burnout, emotional problems and distress was high among allied health care staff. Fair treatment in the workplace and adequate staffing may lower distress levels and improve the work experience of these health care professionals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry Rubin
- Division of Vascular Surgery (Rubin), Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network; Goldfarb Intelligence Marketing (Goldfarb), Toronto, Ont.; Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics (Satele), Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Rochester, Minn.; Office of Professional Practice & Policy (Graham), Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ont.
| | - Rebecca Goldfarb
- Division of Vascular Surgery (Rubin), Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network; Goldfarb Intelligence Marketing (Goldfarb), Toronto, Ont.; Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics (Satele), Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Rochester, Minn.; Office of Professional Practice & Policy (Graham), Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ont
| | - Daniel Satele
- Division of Vascular Surgery (Rubin), Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network; Goldfarb Intelligence Marketing (Goldfarb), Toronto, Ont.; Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics (Satele), Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Rochester, Minn.; Office of Professional Practice & Policy (Graham), Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ont
| | - Leanna Graham
- Division of Vascular Surgery (Rubin), Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network; Goldfarb Intelligence Marketing (Goldfarb), Toronto, Ont.; Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics (Satele), Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Rochester, Minn.; Office of Professional Practice & Policy (Graham), Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ont
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Barakat M, Al-Qudah R, Akour A, Al-Qudah N, Dallal Bashi YH. Unforeseen uses of oral contraceptive pills: Exploratory study in Jordanian community pharmacies. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0244373. [PMID: 33347511 PMCID: PMC7751968 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The use of oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) as a birth control method is very common worldwide. OCPs have many other labeled non-contraceptive indications, and as a result there is an associated risk of improper use, as with any other medications. This study was designed to assess the unforeseen improper uses of OCPs observed by community pharmacists in Jordan. Method A cross-sectional study design was conducted using a self-administered survey. A convenience sample (n = 380) of Jordanian community pharmacists, were recruited through social media resources. The survey included multiple-choice and open-ended questions. Descriptive statistics and correlation analyses were completed using SPSS. Results More than half of the recruited pharmacists (55.3%) were female, and the mean age of the participants was 32.58 ± 9.94. The majority of the pharmacists (85%) had good knowledge about the non-contraceptive indications of OCPs. About 53% of them confirmed their exposure to cases of the improper use of OCPs. About 67.5% of the pharmacists who confirmed exposure to such cases, reported the topical use of OCPs for the enhancement of hair growth. Around 15% of those pharmacists stated that OCPs were used to give negative results for addictive drug screening tests. In the event that the pharmacists suspected improper use, more than 90% suggested they would refrain from dispensing the pills. Conclusion This study has spotlighted many unforeseen uses of OCPs in Jordan and highlighted the need for restricted national regulations on the monitoring of OCP prescription/selling patterns in Jordan by policymakers. Moreover, there is a need for the establishment of national educational programs for the Jordanian community regarding the safe proper use of OCPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muna Barakat
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan
- * E-mail:
| | - Raja’a Al-Qudah
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Amal Akour
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
- School of Pharmacy, Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Najem Al-Qudah
- Faculty of Medicine, Al-Balqa Applied University, Al-Salt, Jordan
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Higgins KL, Hauck FR, Tanabe K, Tingen J. Role of the Ambulatory Care Clinical Pharmacist in Management of a Refugee Patient Population at a University-Based Refugee Healthcare Clinic. J Immigr Minor Health 2020; 22:17-21. [PMID: 30895417 DOI: 10.1007/s10903-019-00879-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The International Family Medicine Clinic (IFMC) at University of Virginia Health System serves refugees and special immigrants in Virginia. The IFMC comprises an interprofessional team including a clinical pharmacist. METHODS A retrospective chart review of electronic medical records was performed. Adult refugee patients who attended a scheduled clinical pharmacist visit between October 6, 2015 and December 31, 2016 were included. The primary outcome was to characterize interventions made by a clinical pharmacist. Secondary outcomes included describing chronic disease states experienced by certain refugee populations and the clinical impact of pharmacist interventions in diabetes management. RESULTS 80 refugee patients attended 275 clinical pharmacist visits. On average, visits lasted 30 min. Numerous patient interventions were made, including initiation of 68 new medications, discontinuation of 49 medications, and 66 medication dose changes. An average A1c reduction of 1.8% (p < 0.001) was noted. DISCUSSION The clinical pharmacist can play an important role in refugee healthcare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristi L Higgins
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Virginia Health System, PO Box 800674, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
| | - Fern R Hauck
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Kawai Tanabe
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Jeffrey Tingen
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Virginia Health System, PO Box 800674, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
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20
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NAKAJIMA TAKEO, NAGANO TATSUYA, SURAYA RATOE, KAWAFUNE YOKO, HOJO DAISUKE, KATO HIROKO, NISHIMURA YOSHIHIRO. A Questionnaire Survey of the Inhalation Instruction in Pharmacies. Kobe J Med Sci 2020; 66:E113-E118. [PMID: 33431784 PMCID: PMC7837665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Few studies have focused on the inhalation instruction in pharmacies which have the crucial role on the inhalation instruction. The aim of this study is to evaluate the level of knowledge and the degree of interest for asthma inhalation instruction methods among pharmacists receiving prescription from clinics. We conducted questionnaire surveys to chief pharmacists of 39 consecutive pharmacies belonging to HANSHIN Dispensing Pharmacy in Hyogo, Japan at July 2011. We obtained valid responses from 35 pharmacies. Among them, 14 pharmacies dealt with prescriptions mainly from the clinics (clinic pharmacies) and 21 pharmacies dealt with prescriptions originated from hospitals (hospital pharmacies), including 13 pharmacies that dealt with prescription filled by respiratory physicians (specialty hospital pharmacies). Although the inhalation instruction at the first visit was provided at every pharmacy, only 54.3% of all pharmacies provided inhalation instructions after the second visit. Compared to 0% of the clinic pharmacies, 40% of the specialty hospital pharmacies visually checked the patient's inhalation procedure after the second visit. Visual confirmation of the inhalation technique, especially in the clinic pharmacies, might play an important role in maintaining treatment adherence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - TATSUYA NAGANO
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - RATOE SURAYA
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | | | | | | | - YOSHIHIRO NISHIMURA
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
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Ismail A, Gan YN, Ahmad N. Factors associated with patient satisfaction towards pharmacy services among out-patients attending public health clinics: Questionnaire development and its application. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0241082. [PMID: 33170854 PMCID: PMC7654767 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Patient satisfaction is widely used to measure quality of healthcare by identifying potential areas for improvement. Aim of study is to assess patient satisfaction towards pharmacy services and its associated factors using newly developed questionnaire among outpatients attending public health clinics. Materials and methods Public Health Clinic Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PHC-PSQ) towards pharmacy services was developed using exploratory factor analysis and Cronbach’s α. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 patients visiting the pharmacy in three randomly selected public health clinics recruited via systematic random sampling. Data was collected using a set of questionnaire including PHC-PSQ. Factors associated with patient satisfaction was analysed using multiple linear regression. Results Final PHC-PSQ consisted of three domains (administrative competency, technical competency and convenience of location) and 22 items with 69.9% total variance explained. Cronbach's α for total items was 0.96. Total mean score for patient satisfaction was 7.56 (SD 1.32). Older age and higher education were associated with lower patient satisfaction mean score. Patients who had visited the pharmacy more than once in the past three months, perceived to be in better health status and had a more correct general knowledge of pharmacists expressed higher patient satisfaction mean score. Conclusions PHC-PSQ is a newly developedtool to measure patient satisfaction towards pharmacy services in public health clinics in Malaysia. Patient satisfaction was relatively high. Age, education, frequency of visit, self-perceived health status and general knowledge of pharmacists were factors significantly associated with patient satisfaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aniza Ismail
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Yan Nee Gan
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Malaysian Health Technology Assessment Section, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Federal Government Administrative Centre, Putrajaya, Malaysia
| | - Norfazilah Ahmad
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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22
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Macdonald O, Smith K, Marven M, Broughton N, Geddes J, Cipriani A. How pharmacist prescribers can help meet the mental health consequences of COVID-19. Evid Based Ment Health 2020; 23:131-132. [PMID: 33115759 PMCID: PMC10231513 DOI: 10.1136/ebmental-2020-300210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - John Geddes
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Andrea Cipriani
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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23
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Seiberth JM, Moritz K, Kücükay N, Schiek S, Bertsche T. What is the attitude towards and the current practice of information exchange during self-medication counselling in German community pharmacies? An assessment through self-report and non-participant observation. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0240672. [PMID: 33052955 PMCID: PMC7556488 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Guidelines encourage relevant information exchange between pharmaceutical staff and patients during self-medication consultation. Thereby, assessing the patient’s situation and providing information is crucial for patient safety. So far, limited studies have investigated this information exchange, particularly in Germany. We aimed to assess the attitude towards and the current practice of guideline-recommended information exchange in German community pharmacies. Methods In total, twelve guideline-recommended parameters were predefined for gathering patient-related information and for the provision of information. These information exchange parameters were evaluated in two parts: Firstly, in a self-report of pharmaceutical staff via an online questionnaire to assess the reported importance, difficulty and frequency of the parameters as well as barriers to their implementation; secondly, in a non-participant observation in five pharmacies to evaluate the actual consultation practice. Results In the self-report, all parameters were rated by more than 76% of 1068 participants as important. ‘Concurrent medication’ was determined to be the most difficult parameter to address (54%). All parameters of information gathering were rated to be addressed during routine counselling by at least 70% of the respondents. Parameters of information provision were all rated to be addressed by at least 45%. ‘Lack of patient’s interest’ was identified as the most frequent barrier to appropriate counselling (84%). During the observation, the information gathering parameters were each addressed between 8 to 63% in the consultations, parameters of information provision between 3 to 34%. Conclusion Despite broad acceptance, the guideline parameters of information exchange were comparatively little addressed during the actual routine care. This might be due to a perceived ‘lack of patient’s interest’ in counselling. Our results suggest to scrutinize whether patients are in fact not interested in counselling and to further explore how the positive intention of pharmaceutical staff towards information exchange can be further translated into everyday practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmin Mina Seiberth
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Drug Safety Center, University Hospital Leipzig and Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Katharina Moritz
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Drug Safety Center, University Hospital Leipzig and Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nagihan Kücükay
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Drug Safety Center, University Hospital Leipzig and Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Susanne Schiek
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Drug Safety Center, University Hospital Leipzig and Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Thilo Bertsche
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Drug Safety Center, University Hospital Leipzig and Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Gernant SA, Polomoff CM, Marsh J, Martineau S, Hardie C, Jeffery SM. Pharmacists' Experiences, Perceptions, and Knowledge of Direct-to-Consumer Prescription Coupons. J Manag Care Spec Pharm 2020; 26:1130-1137. [PMID: 32857654 PMCID: PMC10391127 DOI: 10.18553/jmcp.2020.26.9.1130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite widespread use of manufacturer-sponsored prescription drug coupons and pharmacy network discount cards (i.e., direct-to-consumer prescription coupons), little is known about community pharmacists' experiences, perceptions, and knowledge of coupon cards. OBJECTIVE To identify community pharmacists' experiences, perceptions, and knowledge of prescription coupons. METHODS An 11-item telephonic survey was conducted from August 2018 to March 2019. Eligible respondents included English-speaking pharmacists employed during the survey period in a community pharmacy physically located in Connecticut. Data were analyzed via descriptive statistics and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). One-way ANOVAs were conducted to test the relationship between the respondents' practice types, the average daily volume of coupons processed, and the average time needed to process each coupon. The responses were based on a 5-point Likert scale and dichotomized to enable interpretation of the results. RESULTS There were 240 surveys completed from an eligible pool of 691 community pharmacy sites (34.7% response rate). Respondents representing 60 different businesses located across 123 of the state's 282 major ZIP codes, representing 83.5% of the state's population. Respondents overwhelmingly held positive perceptions of the ability of prescription coupons to increase patients' medication access (91.7 %) and reduce out-of-pocket costs (93.3%). However, respondents also believed patients have trouble paying for prescriptions once coupons expire (70.8%). When questioned about privacy practices, 57.5% of respondents believed that it is illegal to "sell patients' information" (i.e., with no distinction made between protected health information and any other information), while another 25.8% declined to answer, citing they did not know. Only 20.8% (n = 50) of respondents knew that community pharmacies could see lowered reimbursement from accepting network drug discount cards, and 40.4% (n = 97) knew that pharmaceutical manufacturers can cover the difference in patients' copay costs. Approximately 10% of respondents believed (incorrectly) that discounts from pharmacy network discount cards were covered via patients' prescription insurance and/or the third-party discount card vendor companies (7.9% and 3.3%, respectively). Respondents believed patients received prescription coupons most often from the internet or mail (77.1%), their prescribers (62.9%), or from their own community pharmacies (33.3%). Finally, on average, respondents processed 14.6 (SD 19.8) coupons per day and required 4.8 (SD 4.3) minutes for each claim. CONCLUSIONS As far as we know, this is the first exploration of community pharmacists' experiences, perceptions, and knowledge of direct-to-consumer prescription coupons. Results show that, while community pharmacists overwhelmingly hold positive perceptions towards prescription coupons and drug discount cards, there is an opportunity to increase general understanding of the differences in business practices between manufacturer-sponsored prescription drug coupons and pharmacy network discount cards. Community pharmacies also spend a significant amount of time processing coupon claims. DISCLOSURES This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. The authors declare no relevant conflicts of interest or financial relationships. This study was presented as a poster at the 2019 American Society of Health Systems Pharmacists Midyear Clinical Meeting during December 8-12, 2019, in Las Vegas, NV.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Julise Marsh
- University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, Storrs
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25
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Audurier Y, Chapet N, Renaudin P, Bons C, Mathieu B, Theret S, de Barry G, Jalabert A, Breuker C, Leclercq F, Pasquie JL, Agullo A, Roubille F, Castet-Nicolas A. Collaboration between cardiologist and clinical pharmacist on prescription quality: What is the potential clinical impact for cardiology patients? Int J Clin Pract 2020; 74:e13531. [PMID: 32459398 DOI: 10.1111/ijcp.13531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine the effect of pharmacists' interventions (PI) on the potential clinical impact of medication errors, including the lack of therapeutic optimisation of patients with cardiologic diseases, such as heart failure and acute coronary syndrome). METHODS This was an observational, prospective study conducted in the cardiology department of a French university hospital centre for a duration of 9 months. All prescriptions were analysed and PI were registered for clinical rating by pharmacists and cardiologist. RESULTS A total of 532 PI cases were recorded in 339 patients, with a mean of 1.57 (±1.04) PI. The PI acceptance rate was 98.1%. "Dose adjustment" and "introduction therapy" were the most common interventions and represented 38.0% and 32.9%, respectively, of all PI. Statins were the most frequently involved drugs (18.1%), followed by ACE (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme) inhibitors (10.9%) and antiplatelet agents (9.3%). Moreover, 13.8% of PI potentially avoided a severe or very severe clinical impact (n = 71) and 38.6% had a significant impact altering the quality of life (n = 198). There was no significant difference between the average score performed by the clinical pharmacist included in the cardiology team and the one obtained by the cardiologist (P = .797). In contrast, a significant difference was observed for the average score established by the pharmacist localised in central pharmacy versus the rating of the cardiologist (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS The collaboration between clinical pharmacists and cardiologists in the medical units seems to be beneficial to the quality of prescriptions, including the implementation of recommendations. The good rate of PI acceptance and the similar rating with the cardiologist show that there is a change in perspective of the pharmacist, being closer to the clinical reality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yohan Audurier
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, University Hospital, Montpellier, France
- Clinical Pharmacy Laboratory, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Nicolas Chapet
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, University Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - Pierre Renaudin
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, University Hospital, Montpellier, France
- Clinical Pharmacy Laboratory, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Faculty of Medicine Timone, Center for Studies and Research on Health Services and Quality of Life, University of Aix-Marseille, EA 3279, Marseille, France
| | - Carole Bons
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, University Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - Betty Mathieu
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, University Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - Sarah Theret
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, University Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - Gaëlle de Barry
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, University Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - Anne Jalabert
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, University Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - Cyril Breuker
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, University Hospital, Montpellier, France
- Clinical Pharmacy Laboratory, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- PhyMedExp, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Florence Leclercq
- Clinical Pharmacy Laboratory, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Cardiology Department, University Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - Jean-Luc Pasquie
- PhyMedExp, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, Montpellier, France
- Cardiology Department, University Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - Audrey Agullo
- Cardiology Department, University Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - François Roubille
- PhyMedExp, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, Montpellier, France
- Cardiology Department, University Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - Audrey Castet-Nicolas
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, University Hospital, Montpellier, France
- Clinical Pharmacy Laboratory, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- Cancer Research Institute of Montpellier (IRCM), INSERM U1194, ICM, Montpellier, France
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26
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Daugherty KK, Malcom DR. Assessing the Relationship Between Didactic Performance and Standardized Examination Scores in Pharmacy Students. Am J Pharm Educ 2020; 84:ajpe847712. [PMID: 32934393 PMCID: PMC7473228 DOI: 10.5688/ajpe847712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Objective. To examine the effect size of third professional (P3) year students' grade point average (GPA) on Pharmacy Curriculum Outcomes Assessment (PCOA) scores and to summarize the effect size of PCOA scores on North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) scores. Methods. To accomplish the objective, meta-analyses were conducted. For inclusion in the meta-analysis, studies were required to compare PCOA scores to and report data that permitted calculation of a numeric effect size for the chosen outcome variables. Multiple databases were searched, including PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, ProQuest Dissertations and Thesis (abstract limited), Academic Search Complete, and Google Scholar. Correlations were used as the effect size metric for all outcomes. All analyses used an inverse variance weighted random effects model. Study quality was reviewed for each study included in the meta-analyses. Results. This study found that PCOA scores were moderately correlated with P3 GPAs, accounting for 14% to 48% of the variability in PCOA scores. The meta-analyses also showed that PCOA scores were moderately correlated with NAPLEX and accounted for 25% to 53% of the variability in NAPLEX scores. Both meta-analyses showed a high degree of heterogeneity and many studies included were of low quality. Conclusion. This first set of meta-analyses to be conducted on the PCOA showed that third professional year GPA does correlate with PCOA results and that PCOA scores correlate with NAPLEX results. Though there are significant limitations to interpretation of the results, these results do help further elucidate the role of the PCOA as a benchmark of progress within the pharmacy curriculum.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel R. Malcom
- Sullivan University, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Louisville, Kentucky
- Associate Editor, American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, Arlington, Virginia
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27
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Mogul A, Laughlin E, Lynch S. A Co-Curricular Activity to Introduce Pharmacy Students to the Concepts of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Am J Pharm Educ 2020; 84:ajpe7805. [PMID: 32934385 PMCID: PMC7473219 DOI: 10.5688/ajpe7805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2020] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Objective. To develop, implement, and evaluate a co-curricular activity in which second-year Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students developed an idea for a new clinical pharmacy service. Methods. A brief co-curricular activity based on the television series SharkTank was developed to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship. Second-year pharmacy students worked in assigned teams and were allowed one hour to develop an innovative clinical service to solve a pharmacy-related problem. Students then "pitched" their idea to a panel of four faculty members who served as the "sharks" and graded the teams using a rubric. The rubric which was employed was mapped to the Center for the Advancement of Pharmacy Education (CAPE) Educational Outcomes. A pre- and post-activity survey was administered to students to gather information about changes in their perceptions of innovation and entrepreneurship in pharmacy. Results. Student groups received higher scores on their ability to present background information and the need for their clinical service and lower scores in areas such as tracking outcomes and predicting challenges. On the post-activity survey, 96.7% of students agreed that the activity gave them a better understanding of pharmacists' roles in establishing new clinical services, and 86.7% stated they intend to actively seek out new clinical pharmacy service opportunities in their future career. Conclusion. Results of the survey demonstrate that students understand the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship in pharmacy practice, and almost all students felt that the activity gave them an even better understanding of the pharmacist's role in clinical service development. This activity can serve as a blueprint for schools of pharmacy looking to incorporate creative and fun methods of exposing PharmD students to innovation and entrepreneurship activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Mogul
- Binghamton University, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Johnson City, New York
| | - Elizabeth Laughlin
- Binghamton University, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Johnson City, New York
| | - Sarah Lynch
- Binghamton University, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Johnson City, New York
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Kang MJ, Park JH, Park S, Kim NG, Kim EY, Yu YM, Kim DY, Lee JY, Shin WG, Choi SA. Community pharmacists' knowledge, perceptions, and practices about topical corticosteroid counseling: A real-world cross-sectional survey and focus group discussions in Korea. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0236797. [PMID: 32726366 PMCID: PMC7390350 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Topical corticosteroids (TCs) are widely used to treat dermatological conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. It can be a safe and effective treatment when used appropriately. However, misguided information and corticosteroid phobia appear to contribute to inadequate adherence to therapy, leading to unsatisfactory treatment outcomes. Therefore, community pharmacists (CPs) are in a prime position to inform patients about the appropriate use of medicine. The aim of this study was to examine how the knowledge and perceptions of CPs, as well as other factors, associate CPs’ patient counseling practice around the use of TCs. A structured, validated questionnaire was distributed to CPs in the Republic of Korea, and additional focus group discussions were implemented to obtain a deeper understanding of the survey findings. We analyzed the survey results by applying a modified knowledge-perception-practice model. In addition, we used path analysis to validate the model and assessed how knowledge level and perceptions of barriers affect CPs’ counseling behavior. We ran a multiple regression to identify factors that associate CPs’ practice levels. A total of 1018 surveys were analyzed. In general, respondents had sufficient knowledge to provide appropriate patient counseling on TC use. An increase in knowledge level positively associated the quality of practice, and more knowledge increased the perception of barriers that negatively associated patient counseling. Location in rural areas and pharmacists’ perception of counseling barriers negatively associated the quality of practice. A higher level of knowledge, training in ADEs, higher proportion of OTC TC sales, and increased time for counseling positively associated the quality of practice. Therefore, minimizing barriers such as negative perceptions is very important in facilitating CPs’ counseling practice around TC use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Jung Kang
- Department of Pharmacy and Biomedical Research Institute Clinical Trials Center, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ji Hyun Park
- College of Pharmacy, Korea University, Sejong, South Korea
| | - Sunny Park
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Korea University, Sejong, South Korea
| | - Nam Gyu Kim
- Clinical Development Team, Wellmarker Bio Co, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eun Young Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yun Mi Yu
- Department of Pharmacy and Yonsei Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Do Young Kim
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ju-Yeun Lee
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Wan Gyoon Shin
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Soo An Choi
- College of Pharmacy, Korea University, Sejong, South Korea
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Korea University, Sejong, South Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
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Albassam A, Almohammed H, Alhujaili M, Koshy S, Awad A. Perspectives of primary care physicians and pharmacists on interprofessional collaboration in Kuwait: A quantitative study. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0236114. [PMID: 32687539 PMCID: PMC7371165 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Collaborative practice between physicians and pharmacists has a positive effect on healthcare outcomes. Understanding the local data related to this collaboration is vital in establishing efficient collaboration. Therefore, this study was designed to assess the collaborative relationships between physicians and pharmacists working in the primary healthcare centres regarding their attitudes and experiences, preferred methods of communication, perceptions related to the role of pharmacists, areas of potential further collaboration, and perceived barriers. A cross-sectional study was conducted using two parallel pretested self-administered questionnaires on a sample of 518 randomly selected physicians and pharmacists. Descriptive and comparative analyses were used in data analysis. The overall response rate was 86.3%. Although over 98% of respondents agreed that physician-pharmacist collaboration improves patient outcomes, more than half of the physicians (52.1%) and pharmacists (55.7%) had never practised collaboratively. Both groups preferred to communicate face-to-face (76.7%) or via telephone (76.5%). Both professions showed good agreement on pharmacists' roles related to managing side effects, improving adherence, assisting in dosage adjustment, providing advice regarding drug interactions, and providing drug information to physicians. They indicated disagreements on the importance of dispensing of prescriptions and providing advice to physicians regarding modification of drug therapy. Both groups expressed overall positive perceptions of the potential for further collaboration in areas related to the clinical roles of pharmacists, which were significantly higher among those with practice experience of < 10 years and those aged < 40 years (p<0.05). The top four perceived barriers to collaborative practice were lack of time (84.1%), lack of financial compensation (76.3%), lack of face-to-face communication (68.9%), and the possible fragmentation of patient care by the involvement of multiple healthcare professionals (68.9%). The present findings provide valuable input that could be a catalyst to enhance or establish physician-pharmacist collaboration in primary healthcare settings in Kuwait.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Albassam
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kuwait University, Kuwait, Kuwait
| | - Hamad Almohammed
- Drug and Food Control Administration, Ministry of Health, Kuwait, Kuwait
| | - Malak Alhujaili
- Department of Pharmacy, Jaber Alahmad Polyclinic, Ministry of Health, Kuwait, Kuwait
| | - Samuel Koshy
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kuwait University, Kuwait, Kuwait
| | - Abdelmoneim Awad
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kuwait University, Kuwait, Kuwait
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Lozano Fernández R, Vera Sánchez E, Lozano Estevan MDC, Madurga Sanz M, Serna Núñez A. [Knowledge and attitude about Pharmacovigilance practices of pharmacy professionals of community pharmacy and hospital pharmacy in Spain.]. Rev Esp Salud Publica 2020; 94:e202007068. [PMID: 32669534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The justification of the study was to assess the degree of knowledge of Spanish pharmacists in the field of Pharmacovigilance, their degree of notification of adverse drug reactions and their need for training, establishing the differences between community pharmacy pharmacist and those of hospital pharmacy. METHODS A questionnaire with twelve questions on Pharmacovigilance was designed. The distribution and collection of the questionnaires were carried out via online in collaboration with the Official Colleges of Pharmacists and the Spanish Society of Hospital Pharmacy during the period from November 2018 to June 2019. The target population were the pharmacists registered or belonging to the Spanish Society of Hospital Pharmacy. The results were processed using a descriptive and analytical analysis. The qualitative variables were presented with their frequency distribution and the quantitative with their mean and standard deviation. RESULTS 99% of hospital pharmacists said they had evidence of suspected adverse reactions and 96.9% of them ever reported. 73.5% of community pharmacists stated that they had knowledge of suspected adverse reactions but only 48.7% confirmed that they notified them. In general, the pharmacists surveyed agreed on the importance of Pharmacovigilance and believed that the quality of treatments could be improved and the Spanish health system would be saved if Pharmacovigilance was applied more. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicated that hospital pharmacists report much more adverse drug reactions than community pharmacist does. It also hospital pharmacists who know best the obligations they have with Pharmacovigilance. The surveyed pharmacists thought that the development of actions in Pharmacovigilance would increase the adherence of pharmaceutical professionals to the notification and would imply improvements in the quality of treatments, the rational use of medications and patient safety.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ernesto Vera Sánchez
- Departamento de Inspección y Control. Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios. Madrid. España
| | | | - Mariano Madurga Sanz
- Signal Review Panel del Uppsala Monitoring Centre (UMC) de la Oorganización Mundial de la Salud. Máster de Farmacoepidemiología y Farmacovigilancia. Universidad de Alcalá. Alcalá de Henares, España
| | - Ana Serna Núñez
- Departamento de Inspección y Control. Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios. Madrid. España
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Mohammed AS, Woldekidan NA, Mohammed FA. Knowledge, attitude, and practice of pharmacy professionals on generic medicines in Eastern Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0235205. [PMID: 32658918 PMCID: PMC7357759 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Generic medicines are similar to innovator medicine in terms of safety, quality, efficacy, dosage form, strength, and route of administration. They have the same therapeutic use to innovator medicines and available at a far lower price. However, health professionals' poor knowledge and attitude may limit its utilization. The present study aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitude, and practice of pharmacy professionals towards generic medicines in Harar city, Eastern Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among community pharmacists in Harar city. A self-administered thirty-three item questionnaire on Knowledge, attitude, and practice of community pharmacists was utilized. Logistic regression analysis was performed to predict the determinants of knowledge and attitude of pharmacists. An odds ratio at 95% confidence interval along with a p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results Among 80 community pharmacists’ approached, 74 completed the survey, providing a response rate of 92.5%. Sixty-seven percent of the respondents knew that generic drugs are bioequivalent to brand drugs and claimed generic medicines are cheaper (86.5%). Nearly half (48.6%) of participants believe that generic medicines are less effective and slower in the onset of action (58.1%). More than half (54.1%) of study participants revealed their lack of belief in generic medicine as a factor hindering the selection and dispensing of generic medicines. In multivariate logistic regression, experience in community pharmacy practice (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR = 2.18, 95%CI: 1.21–63.1) and Sex (AOR = 3.88, 95%CI: 2.12–39.62) were significantly associated with knowledge and attitude toward generic medicines, respectively. Conclusion The current study revealed that there is a gap in the knowledge and attitude of community pharmacists towards generic and brand drugs. More than averages of the respondents have known the concept of generic medicine including their right to perform generic substitution and had a positive attitude toward generics. Female pharmacists were more likely to have a positive attitude and the overall knowledge was higher in those who have more than 5 years of work experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ammas Siraj Mohammed
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Haramaya, Ethiopia
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Fuad Adem Mohammed
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Haramaya, Ethiopia
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Newsome JS, Wallace-Gay TD, Shoair OA. Virtual Versus Paper-based Cases in Reinforcing the Collect and Assess Elements of the Pharmacists' Patient Care Process. Am J Pharm Educ 2020; 84:ajpe7806. [PMID: 32773834 PMCID: PMC7405293 DOI: 10.5688/ajpe7806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Objective. To compare pharmacy students' perceptions about and performance when using paper-based versus virtual patient cases to reinforce knowledge of the collect and assess elements of the Pharmacists' Patient Care Process (PPCP). Methods. Twenty-seven pharmacy students enrolled in an ambulatory care elective course were randomized to receive either paper-based cases or virtual patient cases for three weeks. They then crossed over to receive the alternative case format for the next three weeks. Each student received a score for their performance on questions related to the collect and assess elements of the PPCP. Students completed a survey and participated in a focus group to evaluate their perceptions of each learning method. Statistical analyses were performed on all data collected. Results. Students' performance (n=27) was better on the assess questions of the PPCP when they used paper-based patient cases than when they used virtual patient cases. The only difference in students' perceptions was related to the collect element, as students favored using paper-based patient cases over virtual patient cases when collecting subjective and objective information. Students who participated in the focus groups believed that the virtual patient cases provided a more realistic and engaging experience in addition to promoting critical thinking. Conclusion. While paper-based patient cases allowed pharmacy students to quickly identify and "collect" relevant information, increased use of virtual patient cases may enhance students' comfort level with and ability to "assess" actual patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Osama A Shoair
- The University of Texas at Tyler, Fisch College of Pharmacy, Texas
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Persky AM, Lee E, Schlesselman LS. Perception of Learning Versus Performance as Outcome Measures of Educational Research. Am J Pharm Educ 2020; 84:ajpe7782. [PMID: 32773832 PMCID: PMC7405299 DOI: 10.5688/ajpe7782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Objective. To determine whether perception of student learning equates to learning gains. Methods. Two-hundred seventy-seven college-aged students and student pharmacists participated in the study. Participants were assessed before and after completing a reading intervention and reported their perceptions of learning by responding to various Likert-scale questions. Relationships between perception and performance were assessed by correlation analysis, trend analysis, and using measures of metacognitive accuracy. Results. There was a lack of correlation between measures of the perception of learning and actual gains in knowledge. There were weak correlations between the perception of learning and post-reading scores. Comparing student-pharmacists to college-aged individuals, both had similar metacognitive accuracy and there were little differences after the intervention. Conclusion. Perceptions of learning may not reflect knowledge gains, and perception data should be used cautiously as a surrogate for evidence of actual learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam M. Persky
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- Associate Editor, American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, Arlington, Virginia
| | - Edward Lee
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Lauren S. Schlesselman
- University of Connecticut, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, Storrs, Connecticut
- Associate Editor, American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, Arlington, Virginia
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Taylor JN, Nguyen NT, Lopez EJ. The Pharmacy Student Population: Applications Received 2018-19, Degrees Conferred 2018-19, Fall 2019 Enrollments. Am J Pharm Educ 2020; 84:ajpe8207. [PMID: 32773840 PMCID: PMC7405301 DOI: 10.5688/ajpe8207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jamie N Taylor
- American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, Arlington, Virginia
| | - Nancy T Nguyen
- American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, Arlington, Virginia
| | - Estela J Lopez
- American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, Arlington, Virginia
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Saqlain M, Munir MM, Rehman SU, Gulzar A, Naz S, Ahmed Z, Tahir AH, Mashhood M. Knowledge, attitude, practice and perceived barriers among healthcare workers regarding COVID-19: a cross-sectional survey from Pakistan. J Hosp Infect 2020; 105:419-423. [PMID: 32437822 DOI: 10.1101/2020.04.13.20063198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
A self-administered validated (Cronbach's alpha=0.077) questionnaire was used to assess knowledge, attitude and practice among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Pakistan regarding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Findings showed that HCWs have good knowledge (93.2%, N=386), a positive attitude [mean 8.43 (standard deviation 1.78)] and good practice (88.7%, N=367) regarding COVID-19. HCWs perceived that limited infection control material (50.7%, N=210) and poor knowledge regarding transmission (40.6%, N=168) were the major barriers to infection control. Regression analysis indicated that pharmacists were more likely to demonstrate good practice than other HCWs (odds ratio 2.247, 95% confidence interval 1.11-4.55, P=0.025). This study found that HCWs in Pakistan have good knowledge, but there are gaps in specific aspects of knowledge and practice that warrant attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Saqlain
- Department of Pharmacy, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - M M Munir
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - S U Rehman
- College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - A Gulzar
- Institute of Pharmacy, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - S Naz
- School of Pharmacy, University of Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Z Ahmed
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan
| | - A H Tahir
- Department of Pharmacy, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - M Mashhood
- Department of Pharmacy, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
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Singh HK, Kennedy GA, Stupans I. Pharmacist health coaching in Australian community pharmacies: What do pharmacy professionals think? Health Soc Care Community 2020; 28:1190-1198. [PMID: 32020737 DOI: 10.1111/hsc.12952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Health coaching is a service provided to patients by healthcare professionals for the purposes of disease management and health risk prevention. Internationally, pharmacist health coaching services provided to patients with chronic health conditions have produced beneficial health outcomes. Despite this, the service is not currently provided within Australian community pharmacies. This study evaluates the knowledge, opinions and attitudes of leaders within the pharmacy profession about the concept of health coaching as a service in community pharmacy. Semi-structured interviews with leaders in the pharmacy profession were carried out. Pharmacy leaders were interviewed until data saturation was reached; 10 pharmacists were interviewed. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically; extracts from the transcripts were compared and categorised to establish themes and subcategories. Analysis of the transcripts indicated the emergence of two main themes and 10 subcategories. The main themes were as follows: 'positive view of health coaching in Australian community pharmacy' and 'barriers to integrating health coaching into Australian community pharmacy'. There was an overall perception that health coaching within community pharmacies would be valued by the Australian community. Interviewees held differing perceptions of pharmacists' capability to effectively coach pharmacy clients and suggested that the main impediments to its introduction related to remuneration for the service. The findings indicated that there is a potential for pharmacists to provide a health coaching service in community pharmacies, but that remuneration is a fundamental barrier. The research also indicated the need to clearly identify the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to health coach and to identify whether potential gaps in the competencies of Australian community pharmacists exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harjit K Singh
- The School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Gerard A Kennedy
- The School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ieva Stupans
- The School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Sheehan AH, Sprunger TL, Viswesh V, Gettig JP, Boyle J. The Current Landscape of College-Sponsored Postgraduate Teaching and Learning Curriculum Programs. Am J Pharm Educ 2020; 84:ajpe7803. [PMID: 32773833 PMCID: PMC7405296 DOI: 10.5688/ajpe7803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Objective. To describe the landscape of teaching and learning curriculum (TLC) programs sponsored by US schools and colleges of pharmacy and evaluate their adoption of best practice recommendations. Methods. A 28-item electronic survey instrument was developed based on best practice recommendations published by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), and American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) for the conduct of TLC programs. The survey instrument was electronically distributed to 137 accredited colleges and schools of pharmacy in the United States. Results. Eighty-eight institutions responded, resulting in a response rate of 64%. Sixty-one TLC programs were included in the final analysis. Seventy-five percent of TLC programs reported using best practice recommendations; however, 10% of respondents indicated they were not aware of the published recommendations. Inconsistencies among programs were noted in required teaching experiences, participant evaluation, and ongoing programmatic assessment. Conclusion. Most institutions offering TLC programs are aware of published best practice guidelines and have adopted a majority of the published best practices. However, considerable variability exists across the country. Development of a formal external validation process for TLC programs is necessary to ensure consistent quality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tracy L. Sprunger
- Butler College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | | | - Jacob P. Gettig
- Midwestern University Chicago College of Pharmacy, Downers Grove, Illinois
| | - Jaclyn Boyle
- Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, Ohio
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38
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Shaikh NF, Nili M, Dwibedi N, Madhavan SS. Initial Validation of an Instrument for Measuring Entrepreneurial and Intrapreneurial Intentions in Student Pharmacists. Am J Pharm Educ 2020; 84:ajpe7624. [PMID: 32773822 PMCID: PMC7405298 DOI: 10.5688/ajpe7624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/29/2019] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Objective. To develop a questionnaire for measuring entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial intentions among student pharmacists and to identify characteristics and personality traits that are associated with these intentions. Methods. A 105-item survey instrument was developed and administered to all Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students (incoming to third year) at a large public university. It consisted of nine scales pertaining to entrepreneurism including previously validated and some newly developed scales adapted for use among student pharmacists. Data analysis consisted of factor analysis to determine scale constructs, reliability assessment, and systematic item-reduction analysis. Multiple linear regression and structural equation modeling was used to determine and confirm the association of personality traits and demographic characteristics with entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial intentions. Results. Of 289 students surveyed, 286 useable survey instruments were included in the analysis. Factor analysis was conducted for each scale, and items that did not load on their theorized factor or had cross-loadings above the permissible limits were removed, reducing the survey to 69 items. Findings demonstrated that gender, joint degree program, and autonomy were significant predictors of entrepreneurial intentions, and achievement motivation, leadership self-efficacy, and problem-solving were significant predictors of intrapreneurial intentions. Conclusion. A multi-dimensional questionnaire to measure entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial intentions of student pharmacists was developed and a few key predictors of such intentions were identified. When fully validated, the questionnaire may be used in pharmacy schools for several purposes, including in the PharmD admission process to gain additional insights into a student's potential to become a future innovative entrepreneurial or intrapreneurial practitioner.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mona Nili
- West Virginia University School of Pharmacy, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Nilanjana Dwibedi
- West Virginia University School of Pharmacy, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - S. Suresh Madhavan
- University of North Texas, System College of Pharmacy, Fort Worth, Texas
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Fidler BD. Use of a virtual patient simulation program to enhance the physical assessment and medical history taking skills of doctor of pharmacy students. Curr Pharm Teach Learn 2020; 12:810-816. [PMID: 32540042 DOI: 10.1016/j.cptl.2020.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 01/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION To evaluate if utilizing a virtual simulated patient program in a required pharmacy course improves the health history taking and physical assessment skills of first-year professional pharmacy students. METHODS During a 14-week course students registered for a web-based virtual patient simulation program. Students were assigned a virtual patient case to complete during weeks one and 13 of the course. Scores from the pre- and post-interventions were compared focusing on the students' ability to perform a physical exam, take a medical history, provide patient education, and display empathy. Students were also asked to self-assess their skills after having been exposed to the virtual simulation program throughout the semester. RESULTS The total number of paired observations used in the final analysis of the pre- and post-virtual patient test case was 171 students. The overall student performance index, which includes the scoring of subjective/objective data and patient education/empathy, improved from 52% at week one to 78.42% at week 14. The individual scoring of subjective/objective data and patient education/empathy significantly improved from week one to week 13. Approximately 76.54% of the class strongly agreed or agreed that the virtual simulation program made them feel more confident in their ability to obtain a medical history from patients. CONCLUSIONS Virtual patient simulation programs are effective teaching methods for students to develop and improve upon their medical history taking and physical assessment skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke D Fidler
- LIU Pharmacy, Arnold and Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy, Brooklyn, NY 11201, United States.
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Saqlain M, Munir MM, Rehman SU, Gulzar A, Naz S, Ahmed Z, Tahir AH, Mashhood M. Knowledge, attitude, practice and perceived barriers among healthcare workers regarding COVID-19: a cross-sectional survey from Pakistan. J Hosp Infect 2020; 105:419-423. [PMID: 32437822 PMCID: PMC7211584 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2020.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 270] [Impact Index Per Article: 67.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
A self-administered validated (Cronbach's alpha=0.077) questionnaire was used to assess knowledge, attitude and practice among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Pakistan regarding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Findings showed that HCWs have good knowledge (93.2%, N=386), a positive attitude [mean 8.43 (standard deviation 1.78)] and good practice (88.7%, N=367) regarding COVID-19. HCWs perceived that limited infection control material (50.7%, N=210) and poor knowledge regarding transmission (40.6%, N=168) were the major barriers to infection control. Regression analysis indicated that pharmacists were more likely to demonstrate good practice than other HCWs (odds ratio 2.247, 95% confidence interval 1.11-4.55, P=0.025). This study found that HCWs in Pakistan have good knowledge, but there are gaps in specific aspects of knowledge and practice that warrant attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Saqlain
- Department of Pharmacy, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - M M Munir
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - S U Rehman
- College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - A Gulzar
- Institute of Pharmacy, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - S Naz
- School of Pharmacy, University of Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Z Ahmed
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan
| | - A H Tahir
- Department of Pharmacy, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - M Mashhood
- Department of Pharmacy, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
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Zawiah M, Yousef AM, Khan AH, AL-Ashwal FY, Matar A, ALKhawaldeh B, Nassar R, Abduljabbar R, Abdo Ahmed AA. Food-drug interactions: Knowledge among pharmacists in Jordan. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0234779. [PMID: 32555684 PMCID: PMC7299397 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Pharmacists have crucial role in providing drug information and medication counseling to patients. This survey aimed to benchmark the current knowledge of the pharmacists concerning food-drug interactions (FDIs) in Jordan. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Amman, the capital and largest city of Jordan, using a validated questionnaire. It was distributed to pharmacists working in community and hospital pharmacies using a convenience sampling technique. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed in this study. Results A total of 340 questionnaires distributed, 300 (88%) pharmacists responded. Over 50% of pharmacists claimed that they have sufficient knowledge regarding FDI. Virtually, the overall median (interquartile range) knowledge score was 18 (15–21), approximately 60%. The highest knowledge scores were for alcohol-drug interactions section (66.6%) followed by both common food-drug interactions and the timing of drug intake to food consumption sections with a score of (58.3%) for each, reflecting a suboptimal knowledge of FDIs among the pharmacists. Conclusion Pharmacists had unsatisfactory knowledge about common FDIs, with no significant difference between hospital and community pharmacists. Therefore, more attention and efforts should be played to improve awareness about potential food-drug interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Zawiah
- Discipline of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Al-Motassem Yousef
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
- * E-mail: ,
| | - Amer Hayat Khan
- Discipline of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Fahmi Y. AL-Ashwal
- Discipline of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Amal Matar
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Batool ALKhawaldeh
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Rand Nassar
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Rami Abduljabbar
- College of Pharmacy, Yemeni University of Sciences and Technology, Taizz, Yemen
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Abstract
Pharmacies have been practicing innovative infection control measures during COVID-19. This article seeks to explore the current activities undertaken across various community pharmacy settings in relation to the safety of the workplace environment for staff and patients. Methods An online cross-sectional survey was conducted in Australia during the COVID-19 outbreak from 1st to 30th April 2020, addressing community pharmacist's awareness and response to infection and sanitation control. Results A total of 137 pharmacists took part in the survey. Regular cleaning took place in the pharmacy, but the use of gloves while cleaning was not regularly practice (48.18%). In addition, only 46.72% of respondents reported observing script baskets being cleaned and disinfected. About one-third (37.96%) of pharmacists were aware of the two-step cleaning and disinfecting process, with only 18.98% of pharmacist practicing such cleaning procedures. More than half of surveyed pharmacists reported having difficulty keeping up with pharmacy practice and infection control guidelines during the pandemic. Conclusion This study demonstrates that the majority of pharmacists are not fully aware of the proper infection control measures needed in a community pharmacy setting. Pharmacists must play a bigger role in infection control measures to ensure staff and public health safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Z Sum
- National Institute of Independent Pharmacist Research, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia.
| | - Charmane J W Ow
- National Institute of Independent Pharmacist Research, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia.
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Pozzi-Lorenzo VG, Delgado-Martínez FY, Butler-Sánchez M, Melin K, Santiago-Quiñones DI. Physicochemical Evaluation of Compounded Oral Preparations for Respiratory Illnesses, also known as Mezclitas. P R Health Sci J 2020; 39:189-194. [PMID: 32663916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Compounded oral solutions for respiratory illnesses such as the common cold and cough are commonly prepared and dispensed by licensed pharmacists in the United States and Puerto Rico (PR). Standard protocols for their preparation and quality assessment and for patient counseling are available for most of the prescribed compounded solutions. However, in PR there is a common prescription approach colloquially referred to as "mezclitas": mixtures of antitussives, expectorants, decongestants, and other active ingredients available in commercial solutions for which there are no science-driven compounding guidelines for local pharmacists. METHODS This study evaluated the physicochemical stability of a commonly dispensed compounded preparation (containing guaifenesin, dextromethorphan, and dexamethasone) that is used for the treatment of respiratory illnesses in PR. The stability indicators tested included clarity, odor, pH, and viscosity. Changes in stability indicators were evaluated for different storage conditions (ambient temperature and refrigerated) over a period of 6 months. RESULTS The samples exhibited small changes in color, odor, and viscosity. Although the observed changes were small, they may be indicative of chemical and/or physical transformations that occurred over time. A survey of local pharmacists also evidenced the absence of standardized protocols for the preparation and dispensation of the mezclitas in PR. CONCLUSION In spite of the absence of protocols for compounding oral solutions for respiratory illnesses, our study suggests that the stability of such solutions is not heavily compromised. However further chemical and physical testing is needed and the findings of such testing used to develop standardized protocols for the compounding of oral solutions for respiratory illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanesa G Pozzi-Lorenzo
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Frances Y Delgado-Martínez
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Maralis Butler-Sánchez
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Kyle Melin
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Darlene I Santiago-Quiñones
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
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Hijazi MA, Shatila H, El-Lakany A, Al Rifai H, Aboul-Ela M, Naja F. Role of community pharmacists in weight management: results of a national study in Lebanon. BMC Health Serv Res 2020; 20:386. [PMID: 32381084 PMCID: PMC7204056 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-020-05258-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ideally situated within the community, pharmacists can be involved in a broad range of health promotion campaigns including prevention of obesity. Limited evidence is available regarding their involvement in weight management in Lebanon, a country with escalating prevalence rate of obesity. OBJECTIVE To examine the role of community pharmacists in weight management in Lebanon, specifically studying their beliefs, current practices, services, and knowledge. METHODS Using a stratified random sampling approach, a cross sectional national survey of community pharmacists was conducted (n = 341, response rate 89%). At the pharmacy, and through a face-to-face interview, pharmacists completed a multi-component questionnaire that addressed, in addition to socio-demographic and work characteristics, their beliefs, practices, knowledge in relation to weight management. Frequencies and proportions were used to describe the data. Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine the determinants of knowledge in the study population. RESULTS Over 80% of study participants agreed that they have an important role to play in weight management. However, 50% of pharmacists did not agree that weight loss products are well regulated and 81.1% thought that companies marketing weight loss products are making false promises. The majority of pharmacists always/often sold weight loss products (84.7%) and counseled their patients for diet (86.3%) and physical activity (91.7%). Despite taking weight and height measurements, 50% of pharmacists rarely/never calculated BMI. Among the pharmacists who reported side effects of weight loss products (46.5%), the majority (91.3%) did so to the pharmaceutical company. The knowledge of pharmacists was better for the use of weight loss products as opposed to their side effects and interactions. Significant predictors of knowledge were holding a Masters/ PhD degree in Pharmacy, graduating from a university inside Lebanon, obtaining weight management training within the academic degree, and receiving inquiries about weight management in the pharmacy more than once daily. CONCLUSIONS The results of the study provided important insights on the beliefs, practices and knowledge of community pharmacists in weight management in Lebanon. These findings could be used to inform the development of future evidence-based community pharmacists led weight management service provision nationally and internationally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamad Ali Hijazi
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, Lebanon, P.O. Box: 11 5020, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hibeh Shatila
- Nutrition and Food Sciences Department, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences American, University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Abdalla El-Lakany
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, Lebanon, P.O. Box: 11 5020, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hiba Al Rifai
- Nutrition and Food Sciences Department, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences American, University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Maha Aboul-Ela
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, Lebanon, P.O. Box: 11 5020, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Farah Naja
- Nutrition and Food Sciences Department, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences American, University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
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Abstract
IMPORTANCE Since 2016, 11 states have expanded the scope of pharmacists to include direct prescription of hormonal contraception. Dispensing greater than 1 month's supply is associated with improved contraceptive continuation rates and fewer breaks in coverage. Scant data exist on the practice of pharmacist prescription of contraception and its outcomes compared with traditional, clinic-based prescriptions. OBJECTIVE To compare the amount of hormonal contraceptive supply dispensed between pharmacists and clinic-based prescriptions. Prescribing patterns were assessed by describing prescribing practices for women with contraindications to combined hormonal contraception. Characteristics of women seeking hormonal contraception directly from pharmacists were also described. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cohort study surveyed women aged 18 to 50 years who presented to pharmacies in California, Colorado, Hawaii, and Oregon for hormonal contraception prescribed by a clinician or a pharmacist between January 30 and November 1, 2019. EXPOSURES Pharmacist or clinic-based prescription of contraception. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Months of contraceptive supply dispensed. RESULTS Four hundred ten women (mean [SD] age, 27.1 [7.7] years) were recruited who obtained contraception directly from a pharmacist (n = 144) or by traditional clinician prescription (n = 266). Women obtaining contraception from a pharmacist were significantly younger (82 [56.9%] vs 115 [43.2%] participants aged 18-24 years; P = .03), had less education (38 [26.4%] vs 100 [37.6%] with a bachelor degree; P = .002), and were more likely to be uninsured (16 [11.1%] vs 8 [3.0%] participants; P = .001) compared with women with a prescription from a clinician. Pharmacists were significantly more likely to prescribe a 6-month or greater supply of contraceptives than clinicians (6.9% vs 1.5%, P < .001) and significantly less likely to only prescribe a 1-month supply (42 [29.2%] vs 118 [44.4%] prescriptions; P < .001). Controlling for all covariates, women seen by pharmacists had higher odds of receipt of a 6-month or greater supply of contraceptives compared with those seen by clinicians (odds ratio = 3.55; 95% CI, 1.88-6.70). Pharmacists were as likely as clinicians to prescribe a progestin-only method to women with a potential contraindication to estrogen (n = 60 women; 8 [20.0%] vs 6 [30.0%], P = .52). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE These findings suggest that pharmacist prescription of contraception may be associated with improved contraceptive continuation by preventing breaks in coverage through the provision of a greater supply of medication. Efforts are needed to educate prescribing providers on the importance of dispensing 6 months or greater contraceptive supply.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria I. Rodriguez
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland
| | - Alison B. Edelman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland
| | - Megan Skye
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland
| | | | - Blair G. Darney
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland
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Burrows J, Dall'Alba G, La Caze A. We are all patient-centred now, aren't we? Lessons from new pharmacy graduates. Curr Pharm Teach Learn 2020; 12:508-516. [PMID: 32336446 DOI: 10.1016/j.cptl.2020.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Patient-centredness is considered integral to the delivery of modern healthcare. This qualitative, longitudinal study explored the meaning and development of the practice of pharmacy graduates, leading to a focus on patient-centredness. The approach adopted in this study aligned with the principles of hermeneutic phenomenology. METHODS Twelve pharmacy graduates (seven females) from The University of Queensland were observed at work and interviewed about their experiences of pharmacy practice every six months for two years following graduation. RESULTS These 12 graduates initially understood and enacted pharmacy practice in a range of ways. A distinguishing characteristic related to how patients/customers featured in their practice. For some, ensuring the efficient supply or administration of correct and safe medicines with instructions was the focus, with patients viewed as source and recipient of information. For others, the focus was communicating effectively with patients/customers to provide individualised advice to avoid medication-related problems. A third group focused on achieving a broader goal, to provide individualised care to optimise health outcomes from medicines. Initial understanding of patient-centredness remained largely unchanged for most participants over the two years, despite the passage of time and experience gained. CONCLUSIONS This study calls into question an assumption of a common meaning for patient-centredness. The findings highlight the need to question and debate what patient-centredness means in contemporary pharmacy practice, rather than simply being an aspirational or theoretical concept. It is important that pharmacists and educators appreciate the centrality of understanding of practice for development, to optimally facilitate the development of patient-centred pharmacists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Burrows
- School of Education, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia; School of Pharmacy, 20 Cornwall St, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, Queensland 4102, Australia.
| | - Gloria Dall'Alba
- School of Education, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Adam La Caze
- School of Pharmacy, 20 Cornwall St, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, Queensland 4102, Australia
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Williams M, Jordan A, Scott J, Jones MD. Pharmacy professionals' experiences and perceptions of providing NHS patient medicines helpline services: a qualitative study. BMC Health Serv Res 2020; 20:364. [PMID: 32349743 PMCID: PMC7189450 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-020-05182-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patient medicines helpline services (PMHS) have been established at some National Health Service (NHS) Trusts in England, with the aim of providing medicines-related support to patients after they have been discharged. Addressing an important knowledge gap, this qualitative study sought to examine pharmacy professionals' experiences and perceptions of their PMHS, including perceived benefits of the services, and areas for improvement. METHODS Invitations to participate were sent to all NHS Trusts within England that were known to provide a PMHS (n = 117). Semi-structured interviews were conducted via telephone with 34 pharmacy professionals who provide a PMHS (female = 76%, male = 24%; predominantly from Acute NHS Trusts, 76%). Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The RE-AIM framework for evaluating interventions (RE-AIM: Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance) informed the development of the interview schedule and the analysis of the data using framework analysis. RESULTS Two themes were generated from the analysis: Resources, and Perceived benefits. Findings illustrate how providing a PMHS with limited resources (e.g., no specific funding, understaffed) negatively impacts the implementation, maintenance and reach of PMHS, and the ability to evidence their effectiveness. Despite operating with limited resources, PMHS are considered to have many benefits for patients and healthcare organisations (e.g., providing a 'safety net' to patients during the transfer of care period, providing reassurance to patients, helping to optimise patients' medicines, resolving medicines-related errors, reducing the burden upon other services, and providing the potential to improve hospital services based upon the content of enquiries). However, actually establishing the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of PMHS is challenging due to perceived logistical difficulties of collecting data, and the difficulty measuring hard outcomes (e.g., prevention of readmissions). CONCLUSIONS PMHS are typically perceived to be under-resourced, although they are considered by pharmacy professionals to have several benefits for service users and NHS Trusts. For those sites that provide a PMHS, we recommend using enquiry data to improve hospital services, and to share ideas for implementing and maintaining a PMHS within a resource-limited context. High-quality research is needed to evidence the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of PMHS, which may help to secure adequate resources for this service in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matt Williams
- Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University of Bath, 5 West, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Abbie Jordan
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Jenny Scott
- Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University of Bath, 5 West, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Matthew D Jones
- Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University of Bath, 5 West, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.
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Shao SC, Chan YY, Lin SJ, Li CY, Kao Yang YH, Chen YH, Chen HY, Lai ECC. Workload of pharmacists and the performance of pharmacy services. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0231482. [PMID: 32315319 PMCID: PMC7173874 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To evaluate the influence of pharmacists’ dispensing workload (PDW) on pharmacy services as measured by prescription suggestion rate (PSR) and dispensing error rate (DER). Method This was an observational study in northern and southern Taiwan’s two largest medical centers, from 2012 to 2018. We calculated monthly PDW as number of prescriptions divided by number of pharmacist working days. We used monthly PSR and DER as outcome indicators for pharmacists’ review and dispensing services, respectively. We used Poisson regression model with generalized estimation equation methods to evaluate the influence of PDW on PSR and DER. Results The monthly mean of 463,587 (SD 32,898) prescriptions yielded mean PDW, PSR and DER of 52 (SD 3) prescriptions per pharmacist working days, 30 (SD 7) and 8 (SD 2) per 10,000 prescriptions monthly, respectively. There was significant negative impact of PDW on PSR (adjusted rate ratio, aRR: 0.9786; 95%CI: 0.9744–0.9829) and DER (aRR: 0.9567; 95%CI: 0.9477–0.9658). Stratified analyses by time periods (2012–2015 and 2016–2018) revealed the impact of PDW on PSR to be similar in both periods; but with positive association between PDW and DER in the more recent one (aRR: 1.0086, 95%CI: 1.0003–1.0169). Conclusions Reduced pharmacist workload was associated with re-allocation of pharmacy time to provide prescription suggestions and, more recently, decrease dispensing errors. Continuous efforts to maintain appropriate workload for pharmacists are recommended to ensure prescription quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Chieh Shao
- Department of Pharmacy, Keelung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan
- School of Pharmacy, Institute of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yuk-Ying Chan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Material Management, Chang Gung Medical Foundation, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Swu-Jane Lin
- Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes & Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Chung-Yi Li
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yea-Huei Kao Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Institute of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hua Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Keelung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Yu Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Edward Chia-Cheng Lai
- School of Pharmacy, Institute of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Pharmacy, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
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Shi Y, Xue H, Ma Y, Wang L, Gao T, Shi L, Wang Y, Cui M, Wang C, Yang X, Liu M, Fan L, Yan G. Prevalence of occupational exposure and its influence on job satisfaction among Chinese healthcare workers: a large-sample, cross-sectional study. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e031953. [PMID: 32303512 PMCID: PMC7200032 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study had three objectives: (1) describe the prevalence of occupational exposure among Chinese medical personnel in detail, (2) verify the partial mediating role of work environment satisfaction in the relationship between occupational exposure and job satisfaction, and (3) examine if stress symptoms moderate the relationship between occupational exposure and job satisfaction. DESIGN A large cross-sectional online survey was conducted in July 2018 in China. SETTING A survey was conducted in 54 cities across 14 provinces of China. PARTICIPANTS A total of 12 784 questionnaires were distributed, and 9924 healthcare workers (HCWs) completed valid questionnaires. The response rate was 77.63%. OUTCOME MEASURES A confidential questionnaire was distributed to HCWs. The relationships among and the mechanisms of the variables were explored using descriptive statistical analyses, Pearson's correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS The most common occupational exposures among HCWs in the past 12 months were psychosocial and organisational hazards (85.93%). Overall, physicians (93.7%) and nurses (89.2%) were the main victims of occupational exposure. Occupational exposure correlated negatively with work environment satisfaction and job satisfaction, and positively with stress symptoms. Moreover, work environment satisfaction fully mediated the relationship between occupational exposure and job satisfaction, and stress symptoms moderated the relationship between occupational exposure and job satisfaction. CONCLUSION The incidence of occupational exposure among HCWs is generally high. The high frequency of psychosocial and organisational hazards among physicians and nurses should be taken seriously and dealt with in a timely manner by hospital managers. The negative impact of occupational exposure on job satisfaction must be buffered by measures to reduce stress symptoms and enhance working environment satisfaction, ultimately improving the overall quality of life of HCWs and promoting comprehensive development of the medical team.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Shi
- School of Health Management, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Haifeng Xue
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Qiqihar Medical College, Qiqihar, China
| | - Yuanshuo Ma
- School of Health Management, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Licheng Wang
- Office of the Outpatient Department of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Tian Gao
- Performance Office, Jinan Central Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Lei Shi
- School of Health Management, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Office of Coordination of Doctor-Patient Relations, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Mei Cui
- Doctor-Patient Office, Beijing Friendship Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Wang
- Medical Insurance Office, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xi Yang
- School of Health Management, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Ming Liu
- School of Health Management, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Lihua Fan
- School of Health Management, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Guanyun Yan
- Department of Marketing, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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Tesfaye ZT, Yismaw MB. Community's extent of use and approval of extended pharmacy services in community pharmacies in Southwest Ethiopia. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0230863. [PMID: 32241021 PMCID: PMC7117944 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The emergence of chronic diseases as major causes of disability and death has necessitated the introduction of new strategies to effectively address the ever-changing nature of public health problems. As a result, the role of community pharmacies in promoting public health is growing in recent years through the provision of extended pharmacy services. This study was conducted with the aim of assessing community’s extent of use and approval of extended pharmacy services at community pharmacies in Bonga town, Southwest Ethiopia. Materials and methods Community based cross-sectional study was conducted in Bonga town, Southwest Ethiopia, on households selected by systematic random sampling. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaire. Data was collected by personally delivering questionnaires to respondents in selected households. Results of the study were described by frequency, mean and standard deviation (SD). Binary logistic analysis was performed to identify potential associations between dependent and independent variables. Results Out of 356 individuals included in the study, 58.4% recalled visiting community pharmacy premises during the previous six months. Out of these, 34.6% visited the community pharmacies to get extended pharmacy services. College educated participants were 19.4 times more likely to have used extended pharmacy services as compared to illiterate individuals whereas those who earn monthly income more than 5000 Ethiopian Birr were 3.6 times more likely than those with monthly income of 2000 Ethiopian Birr or less. Of the total participants, 91.3% approved the provision of extended pharmacy services in community pharmacies. Conclusion The extent of community’s use of extended pharmacy services at community pharmacies was found to be low. Nevertheless, majority of the study subjects approved the provision of extended pharmacy services at community pharmacies. Efforts to improve the practice of extended pharmacy service provision at community pharmacies should be made by all stake holders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zelalem Tilahun Tesfaye
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
- * E-mail:
| | - Malede Berihun Yismaw
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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