International Journal of Pharmacy Practice最新文献

Objectives: The discharge medicines service (DMS) was introduced as an essential service for all community pharmacies in England through the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) in February 2021. This study aimed to describe the implementation of this service for paediatric patients and to identify any barriers to referrals.

Methods: The study was undertaken in a 24-bed paediatric ward in a District General Hospital from September 2022 to February 2023. All paediatric inpatients on long-term medications were eligible for inclusion. Out of 169 eligible participants, 149 were referred. Community pharmacists accessed referrals through PharmOutcomes® and could accept, complete, or reject referrals on this platform.

Key findings: Of the 149 referred patients, 24 (16.1%) were accepted but not yet actioned; 63 (42.3%) were fully or partially completed; 19 (12.8%) were rejected, and 43 (28.9%) there was no response (remained as referred). Younger children (<2 years) were more likely to have their referral rejected than older children (6 years and older). The feedback from parents was overwhelmingly positive (93.5%) and two families reported that they believed the DMS service prevented readmission to the hospital for their children. No children were involved in the community pharmacist consultation. Barriers to referrals included patients not having a nominated pharmacy and a lack of confidence in completing paediatric referrals.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates the value of completing referrals for paediatric patients. More research is required to explore how community pharmacists can be supported to complete paediatric DMS referrals.

Objectives: Written medicine information (WMI) is important for ensuring patients understand and use their medicines optimally, but relatively little research has assessed the quality of available WMI. This study assessed the quality of WMI using a sample of leaflets for ibuprofen in the UK and Thailand.

Methods: Leaflets were obtained by purchasing a product from retail outlets or community pharmacies, 18 from each country. In the UK, these were patient information leaflets (PILs); in Thailand, they were package inserts PIs not specifically designed for patients. Leaflets were assessed for content, layout, and readability using standard methods and compared to relevant guidelines.

Key findings: The UK PILs were uniform and conformed to EU regulatory requirements for content, whereas Thai PIs varied considerably, many failing to include important information required by Thai regulations. Several forms of Thai PIs were found, including some very short leaflets, containing minimal information. The readability of both was rated as poor, all used small font size and had less than desirable white space. Fewer Thai PIs than UK PILs met the Keystone Criteria for ibuprofen.

Conclusions: The extent of variation in format and content of Thai WMI could potentially cause confusion and reduce willingness to read it. PILs, conforming to Thai regulatory guidelines, should be provided with medicines instead. Leaflets in both countries would benefit from improved readability and layout.

Objectives: To determine risks associated with uricosurics in COVID-19 patients.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted by systematically searching electronic databases.

Key findings: The pooled analysis of the included trials revealed that the use of uricosurics was not associated with the risk of mortality (pooled odds ratio [OR] = 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.94-1.12). However, there is a potential mortality benefit associated with the use of ascorbic acid (pooled OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.65-0.94).

Conclusions: The findings confirmed the safety of uricosurics in COVID-19 patients, despite their potential to cause uric acid excretion, which may possess antioxidant properties.

Objectives: The objective of this project was to obtain students' perception of an educational companion video designed to increase the understanding of a national medicines information resource.

Methods: An instructional video was developed to guide students in utilizing the online version of the Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH). All students enrolled in the Bachelor of Pharmacy program during 2021 were given access to this video. A cross-sectional electronic survey was administered to evaluate the video's effectiveness and its impact on students' confidence. The survey results were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics, in addition to qualitative analysis to identify common themes. Ethics approval was obtained prior to conducting the study.

Key findings: Most students (78%; n = 72/92) reported that watching the video increased their understanding. The most growth in confidence was seen by students in their first or second year of study. Fifty-four percent (n = 48/89) of students was very likely or extremely likely to recommend the video to others, and 37% (n = 33/89) of students were somewhat likely. Students found the instructional video to be useful and expressed a desire for similar content to be integrated into other facets of teaching. The audio-visual mode of delivery was regarded as effective for this context. Constructive feedback included suggestions of incorporating more advanced educational features such as how to interpret comparative medication charts and interaction checkers.

Conclusions: The 'How to use the AMH' video is a good introductory resource for undergraduate Australian healthcare students. Our results indicate that this video would be best suited to complement the teaching of students early on in their studies.

Background: A new programme incorporating online study days delivered using team-based learning (TBL) for hospital-based trainee pharmacists (TPs) in the North of England was created. To our knowledge, TBL has not previously been used in educational programmes for TPs designed to supplement their workplace learning. The project aimed to investigate the experiences of TPs learning using online TBL by exploring their perceptions on their engagement, learning, and satisfaction with TBL.

Method: Data were collected using online anonymous surveys at the end of four online TBL study days. A bespoke survey consisted of 5-point or 4-point Likert scale and two free text questions. TBL Student Assessment Instrument (SAI), a validated survey, was used to assess TPs' acceptance of TBL. Survey data was summarized descriptively, and free text comments analysed using thematic analysis.

Results: TPs developed accountability to their team, remained engaged with TBL delivery online and stated a preference for and satisfaction with this method. TPs valued opportunities to apply their knowledge in challenging scenarios and learn from discussions with their peers, the larger group, and facilitators. TBL was also perceived to be an engaging approach to learning and helped to maintain their interest with the teaching material. However, TPs struggled to engage with pre-work outside of the class due to competing work priorities.

Discussion: This study shows that online TBL was well accepted by TPs and can be successfully used to deliver education to large cohorts of learners. The model developed shows potential for scalability to larger numbers of learners.

Objectives: Community pharmacists play an important role in primary care access and delivery for all patients, including patients with a family physician or nurse practitioner ("attached") and patients without a family physician or nurse practitioner ("unattached"). During the COVID-19 pandemic, community pharmacists were accessible care providers for unattached patients and patients who had difficulty accessing their usual primary care providers ("semi-attached"). Before and during the pandemic, pharmacist services expanded in several Canadian provinces. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore patient experiences receiving care from community pharmacists, and their perspectives on the scope of practice of community pharmacists.

Methods: Fifteen patients in Nova Scotia, Canada, were interviewed. Participant narratives pertaining to pharmacist care were analyzed thematically.

Key findings: Attached, "semi-attached," and unattached patients valued community pharmacists as a cornerstone of care and sought pharmacists for a variety of health services, including triaging and system navigation. Patients spoke positively about expanding the scope of practice for community pharmacists, and better optimization of pharmacists in primary care.

Conclusions: System decision-makers should consider the positive role community pharmacists can play in achieving primary care across the Quintuple Aim (population health, patient and provider experiences, reducing costs, and supporting equity in health).

Background: Community pharmacists play a crucial role in the care of people with depression. This study aimed to evaluate the level of care provided by community pharmacists for clients with depression in Enugu, Nigeria.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among randomly selected community pharmacists in Enugu, Nigeria. The data obtained were analysed descriptively.

Key findings: Approximately 25% of pharmacists perform depression screening, and 14.4% refer clients to psychiatrists. Pharmacists rarely provide information on antidepressant dosage, side effects, frequency, and duration.

Conclusion: Community pharmacists in Enugu are not providing effective care to depressed patients. Thus, appropriate interventions are recommended.

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic brought new challenges and lessons were learnt for health services. In the field of pharmaceutical care, several interventions have been proposed to optimize and expand the response capacity of services.

Objective: To identify and characterize interventions performed in the management of pharmaceutical services during the COVID-19 pandemic in universal public health systems.

Methods: A rapid literature review was conducted and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022360902). Systematic searches in the MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, and Virtual Health Library databases were conducted to identify interventions and practices adopted for the management of pharmaceutical care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results: Thirteen articles reporting interventions developed in six countries were included. The interventions were summarized under three major themes: actions for continuous access to medicines, logistical measures for acquisition and storage, and organizational strategies. Telepharmacy services stand out as a typical action adopted in different services, which highlights the use and consolidation of digital technologies in these services. Strategies for process management were described and focused on the reorganization of the internal service of pharmacies, flow of services, and people management.

Conclusions: Many interventions were developed during the pandemic, some of which have already been incorporated into routine service delivery. Although the studies did not measure the effect of each intervention, the strategies developed are a source of information for the future delivery of care. Studies should be conducted to evaluate the potential of similar interventions in other health emergency contexts.