Pharmacy最新文献

Pharmacists are often the first point of contact for healthcare advice in rural communities, where access to healthcare is limited. Tobacco cessation rates improve with counseling from a pharmacist, and in many states, pharmacists can now prescribe medications for quitting. This study aimed to explore smoking behavior and cessation motivations among patients at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) clinic in rural Wyoming, estimate the prevalence of tobacco-related interventions by clinic staff, and assess patients' interest in engaging in pharmacist-led cessation programs. A cross-sectional survey was administered over three months to clinic patients who self-identified as current tobacco users. Survey items assessed sociodemographics, tobacco use and vaping behaviors, previous cessation advice from pharmacists, and interest in pharmacist-led support for quitting. Of 63 respondents, 57 (90.5%) reported current tobacco use. Most were ready to quit within the next month (43.9%) or the next six months (33.3%), and 26.3% had previously received advice about quitting from a pharmacist. Most (59.6%) expressed interest in establishing care with a pharmacist for cessation support, and 45.3% requested to be contacted by a pharmacist for assistance with quitting. Interest did not differ by gender or age. The results indicate that rural patients are interested in engaging with pharmacists for quitting. Further research is needed to determine how pharmacy-led programs can complement existing healthcare resources to improve access to cessation support in underserved areas.

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic led to a major interest in ultraviolet C (UVC) disinfection devices and accelerated the implementation of UVC devices in healthcare facilities due to their proven efficacy in the inactivation of various pathogens. While UVC technology offers several advantages, some drawbacks remain. This report, drawing on studies, guidelines, and practical experiences related to the use of UVC technology in healthcare settings, examines the efficacy, advantages, and drawbacks of UVC devices, and their applications in aseptic drug-compounding pharmaceutical units.

Summary: Studies, guidelines, and practical experiences were selected. UVC technology offers advantages such as rapid disinfection, reduced reliance on chemical agents, minimal waste, and freedom from manual disinfection variability, making it particularly valuable for maintaining aseptic conditions in compounding environments. However, some drawbacks persist, as it is a germ-dependent method and there is currently no standardized method for ensuring effectiveness.

Conclusions: This opinion paper highlights the effectiveness of UCV technology in pharmaceutical compounding units, proving that it is a viable alternative to the traditionally used manual and operator-dependent methods. However, there is a need for standardized methods to evaluate UVC devices.

Domestic violence (DV) is a pervasive issue with significant implications for public health, yet it remains under-addressed in healthcare systems. Pharmacists, as accessible healthcare providers, are in a unique position to identify and support individuals affected by DV, but training in this area is often lacking in pharmacy education. This study explores the challenges of and opportunities for integrating DV education into the pharmacy curriculum by interviewing twelve pharmacy educators from Monash University. Using semi-structured interviews, data were analyzed thematically to identify key barriers and facilitators. The findings highlight several benefits of integrating DV education, including pharmacists' accessibility to patients and their ability to play a vital role in recognizing and responding to DV. However, challenges such as time constraints, lack of confidence, insufficient training, and perceived limitations on pharmacists' scope of practice were noted. Ethical and legal concerns regarding pharmacists' roles in DV cases were also identified. This study concludes that integrating DV education into pharmacy curricula is essential; however, it requires significant barriers to be overcome, including the need for specialised training and collaboration with DV experts. This study recommends interdisciplinary workshops and greater faculty support to equip future pharmacists with the necessary skills to address DV effectively.

The complexities surrounding the use of medications, substance abuse, and the recreational use of plants are multifaceted and warrant a comprehensive examination. This review highlights the complexities surrounding the consumption of chemical substances in excess or for non-medical purposes, obtained through legal prescriptions, over-the-counter purchases, or illicit means, with an emphasis on the predictive role of stressors and individual-level variables in the development of substance use disorders, as well as the influence of the regulatory environment on patterns of consumption. Additionally, the alarming escalation in the mortality rate associated with illicit drug and opioid overdoses is also underscored. The recreational use of prescription medications can lead to significant health risks, particularly when combined with other substances; therefore, the need for interventions and preventive measures to address substance abuse among various populations is imperative. Furthermore, novel insights on substance abuse addiction, exploring the neurobiological mechanisms underlying addiction, and discussing treatment approaches and interventions are elucidated. Advancements in technology for detecting substance abuse are also highlighted, displaying innovative tools for more effective identification and monitoring. In conclusion, the complexities of medications, substance abuse, and the recreational use of plants reveal a landscape marked by overlapping motivations and health implications. The distinction between medical and recreational use is critical for understanding user behavior and addressing public health concerns.

Background: Correct inhaler technique is vital for managing respiratory conditions like asthma. Patients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are at higher risk of sub-optimal adherence and errors in inhaler technique. This study aimed to validate an Arabic version of the inhaler technique questionnaire for self-assessment of the metered-dose inhaler (MDI) technique by assessing agreement between observed and self-reported techniques among Arabic-speaking individuals with asthma in Australia.

Methods: Observational assessments of 30 participants using an MDI, followed by completion of the translated inhaler technique questionnaire by the same participants. The questionnaire comprised nine questions pertaining to the inhaler technique. The level of agreement between the observed and self-reported technique for each of the nine MDI technique steps was subsequently determined using intraclass correlation.

Results: The majority of participants were women, aged 25-44 years (70%). An overall Kappa score of 0.768 indicated good agreement between observed and self-reported datasets, with stepwise agreement ranging from 52.4-100%. Steps involving taking a big breath before inhaler use (step 2) and exhaling slowly (step 8) were the least well correlated.

Conclusions: The preliminary validated MDI inhaler technique questionnaire may be used as a self-assessment tool by Arabic speakers, aiding healthcare professionals, and empowering individuals living with asthma to self-manage their condition.

The peer-reviewed literature on the adjustment or curving of assessments in health profession programs is almost non-existent. This communication aims to present potential methods of grade adjustment for individual questions or entire assessments. Simulated data for a 25-item assessment were used as an example to analyze the effects of different methods of grade adjustment on students' scores. Grade adjustments were made by adjusting the points for individual questions or the scores for the entire assessment. Adjustment for the individual questions was carried out by dropping the question, adding points to those who missed the question, or adding a bonus point to all students. Grade adjustment methods for the entire assessment included adjusting the mean or mean plus distribution (i.e., standard deviation) of the assessment score. Different methods of grade adjustments or curving for individual questions or the entire assessment resulted in drastically different outcomes for individual students' scores. The justifications for selecting the appropriate method for adjustment of the individual scores are presented based on item analysis statistics. Curving or adjusting the score for the entire exam may be justified when there is a need for consistency in grade distribution among the assessments across the years or different sections of the course. Although methods for adjustment of grades are relatively easy to implement, instructors should have reasonable educational justification for deciding whether to adjust grades or which method to use.

Multimorbidity and polypharmacy are prevalent among Long-Term Care (LTC) users. Older people, who most use LTC services, are more prone to drug-related problems, which polypharmacy aggravates. Deprescribing is a key intervention to address polypharmacy and inappropriate medication. Evidence shows that pharmacists' expertise in medicines and their growing involvement in clinical-oriented activities have proven to play an essential role across many healthcare settings, including LTC. Thus, this study aimed to identify and assess LTC pharmacist-mediated deprescribing. A systematic review was undertaken following the PRISMA checklist, using three literature databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Knowledge). A set of 18 keywords, divided into three domains (professional, type of care, and type of setting), were combined into search equations. The studies selected were assessed through the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies. Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria out of 288 initial hits. Pharmacist-mediated deprescribing was divided into specific (targeted to a medicine group) and non-specific. Half of the studies were graded as low quality (53%). In total, the studies enrolled 6928 patients and 45 pharmacists. The ATC groups A, C, M, and N, as well as medicines with anticholinergic properties, were the most addressed medicines groups. Acceptance rates of pharmacists' recommendations ranged between 30% and 100%. Generically, the number of medicines was reduced after the intervention. Mixed results were found for falls and quality of life outcomes. Cost savings associated with the interventions ranged from neutral to as high as 3800 €/patient/year. Barriers to deprescribing were mainly linked to patients' or family members' refusal to change. In conclusion, pharmacist-mediated deprescribing seems feasible in LTC. The studies' methodological heterogeneity hampers robust comparisons and conclusions. The medicine groups targeted by deprescribing can help tailor interventions to optimize the use of medicines in LTC. A detailed understanding of barriers and enablers to deprescribing would support developing and implementing these interventions.

Pharmacists have been recognized as the most accessible healthcare professionals, and research has been carried out on expanded pharmacy services they could provide. Additional pharmacy services are a cost-effective way to prevent medication errors, reduce the number of drug-related problems, and prevent chronic disease progression. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate pharmacy service users' views of expanded pharmacy services in Croatia. This study included 745 participants. Patients who have a healthcare professional in their family more frequently knew of the existence of e-health records and the option to share it with their pharmacists (134, 56.3% vs. 229, 45.2%, p = 0.005), while persons that have chronic illness more frequently visit the same pharmacy (176, 77.9% vs. 178, 34.3%, p < 0.001). Participants are confident that pharmacists can provide screening services and education on inhaler usage; however, only around 60% agreed that pharmacists can independently lead therapy adjustment, medication substitution, or monitor therapy based on test results. Our findings should be supported with projects evaluating the cost-effectiveness of such services as they would be accepted by a greater number of pharmacy service users if covered by the national health insurer.

Despite technological advancements, healthcare professionals must actively prioritize patient safety. Reporting adverse drug reactions is a critical aspect of this responsibility, and the most accessible healthcare providers, community pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians play a key role. Therefore, this study assessed their knowledge and practices regarding adverse drug reaction reporting in Croatia. A total of 180 participants were included. Pharmacists demonstrated significantly better knowledge than technicians (94.78 vs. 73.97, p = 0.024). Chronic medication users also showed greater understanding compared to non-users (104.96 vs. 85.39, p = 0.021). Knowledge improved with the number of adverse drug reactions reported, and most participants (72.78%) had reported adverse drug reactions. Pharmacists were 83.60% more likely to report adverse drug reactions than technicians (p < 0.001). These findings reveal a gap in pharmacy technicians' integration into pharmacovigilance, underscoring a need to strengthen their role in adverse drug reaction reporting and patient safety.