Pub Date : 2024-09-25DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2024.09.007
Edwin Ck Tan, Bich Nh Tran, Diane E Watson, Zhaoli Dai
Objective: To investigate the association between patient-reported experiences with new medication discharge counselling and readmission to hospital or emergency department (ED) visits within 30 days of discharge.
Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study of patient-reported experiences from 8715 patients who reported being prescribed a new medication at discharge from a public hospital. Completeness of medication counselling was assessed based on (i) explanation of medication purpose, (ii) explanation of medication side effects, (iii) patient involvement in decision to use medication, (iv) provision of contradictory information. Multilevel models were used to estimate self-reported 30-day readmission or ED visit related to care received using adjusted odds ratios (AORs).
Results: Patients who were explained medication purpose were half as likely to report a readmission (AOR 0.54, 95%CI 0.31-0.93) or ED visit (AOR 0.65, 95%CI 0.48-0.87) within 30 days of discharge. Conversely, those who reported receiving contradictory information were more likely to report a readmission (AOR 1.62, 95%CI 1.16-2.26) and ED visit (AOR 1.82, 95%CI 1.41-2.34).
Conclusion: Patients who reported receiving comprehensive counselling on new medications were less likely to report being readmitted or visiting an ED within 30 days of discharge.
{"title":"The association between patient self-reported experiences with medication discharge counselling and hospital readmissions: A cross-sectional analysis of a population-based survey.","authors":"Edwin Ck Tan, Bich Nh Tran, Diane E Watson, Zhaoli Dai","doi":"10.1016/j.sapharm.2024.09.007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2024.09.007","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To investigate the association between patient-reported experiences with new medication discharge counselling and readmission to hospital or emergency department (ED) visits within 30 days of discharge.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective cross-sectional study of patient-reported experiences from 8715 patients who reported being prescribed a new medication at discharge from a public hospital. Completeness of medication counselling was assessed based on (i) explanation of medication purpose, (ii) explanation of medication side effects, (iii) patient involvement in decision to use medication, (iv) provision of contradictory information. Multilevel models were used to estimate self-reported 30-day readmission or ED visit related to care received using adjusted odds ratios (AORs).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Patients who were explained medication purpose were half as likely to report a readmission (AOR 0.54, 95%CI 0.31-0.93) or ED visit (AOR 0.65, 95%CI 0.48-0.87) within 30 days of discharge. Conversely, those who reported receiving contradictory information were more likely to report a readmission (AOR 1.62, 95%CI 1.16-2.26) and ED visit (AOR 1.82, 95%CI 1.41-2.34).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Patients who reported receiving comprehensive counselling on new medications were less likely to report being readmitted or visiting an ED within 30 days of discharge.</p>","PeriodicalId":48126,"journal":{"name":"Research in Social & Administrative Pharmacy","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2024-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142337088","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-09-19DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2024.09.004
Maxime Thibault , Cynthia Tanguay
Background
Pharmacists are increasingly involved in patient care. Pharmacy practice research helps them identify the most clinically meaningful interventions. However, the lack of a widely accepted controlled vocabulary in this field hinders the discovery of this literature.
Objective
To compare the performance of a machine learning model with manual literature searches in identifying potentially relevant publications on the clinical impact of pharmacist interventions. To describe the dataset that was built.
Methods
An automated PubMed search was performed weekly starting in November 2021. Titles and abstracts were retrieved and independently evaluated by two reviewers to select potentially relevant publications on the clinical impact of pharmacists. A Cohen's kappa score was calculated. Data was collected during an 11-month period to train a machine learning model. It was evaluated prospectively during a 5-month period (predictions were collected without being shown to the reviewers). The performance of the model was compared with manual searches (positive predictive value [PPV] and sensitivity).
Results
A transformers-based model was selected. During the prospective evaluation period, 114/1631 (7 %) publications met selection criteria. If the model had been used, 1273/1631 (78 %) would not have needed review. Only 3/114 (3 %) would have been incorrectly excluded. The model showed a PPV of 0.310 and a sensitivity of 0.974. The best manual search showed a PPV of 0.046 and a sensitivity of 0.711. On December 12, 2023, the dataset contained 8607 publications, of which 544 (6 %) met the criteria. The kappa between reviewers was 0.786. The dataset and the model were used to develop a website and a newsletter to share publications (https://impactpharmacy.net).
Conclusion
A machine learning model was developed and performs better than manual PubMed searches to identify potentially relevant publications. It represents a considerable workload reduction. This tool can assist pharmacists and other stakeholders in finding evidence that support pharmacists' interventions.
{"title":"Development and evaluation of a model to identify publications on the clinical impact of pharmacist interventions","authors":"Maxime Thibault , Cynthia Tanguay","doi":"10.1016/j.sapharm.2024.09.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sapharm.2024.09.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Pharmacists are increasingly involved in patient care. Pharmacy practice research helps them identify the most clinically meaningful interventions. However, the lack of a widely accepted controlled vocabulary in this field hinders the discovery of this literature.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To compare the performance of a machine learning model with manual literature searches in identifying potentially relevant publications on the clinical impact of pharmacist interventions. To describe the dataset that was built.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>An automated PubMed search was performed weekly starting in November 2021. Titles and abstracts were retrieved and independently evaluated by two reviewers to select potentially relevant publications on the clinical impact of pharmacists. A Cohen's kappa score was calculated. Data was collected during an 11-month period to train a machine learning model. It was evaluated prospectively during a 5-month period (predictions were collected without being shown to the reviewers). The performance of the model was compared with manual searches (positive predictive value [PPV] and sensitivity).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A transformers-based model was selected. During the prospective evaluation period, 114/1631 (7 %) publications met selection criteria. If the model had been used, 1273/1631 (78 %) would not have needed review. Only 3/114 (3 %) would have been incorrectly excluded. The model showed a PPV of 0.310 and a sensitivity of 0.974. The best manual search showed a PPV of 0.046 and a sensitivity of 0.711. On December 12, 2023, the dataset contained 8607 publications, of which 544 (6 %) met the criteria. The kappa between reviewers was 0.786. The dataset and the model were used to develop a website and a newsletter to share publications (<span><span>https://impactpharmacy.net</span><svg><path></path></svg></span>).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>A machine learning model was developed and performs better than manual PubMed searches to identify potentially relevant publications. It represents a considerable workload reduction. This tool can assist pharmacists and other stakeholders in finding evidence that support pharmacists' interventions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48126,"journal":{"name":"Research in Social & Administrative Pharmacy","volume":"20 12","pages":"Pages 1134-1141"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2024-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142337087","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pharmacists’ roles have evolved substantially from traditional drug compounding and dispensing to encompass patient-centred clinical services. Pharmacist clinical reasoning, though fundamental to these new roles, generally remains implicit and understudied, particularly compared with that of other healthcare professionals, such as physicians. However, teaching and supervising the clinical services provided by pharmacists require a thorough understanding of the reasoning process involved. Several models describing pharmacist clinical reasoning have been developed, but they lack unified mapping.
Here, we used an instrumental case study approach to develop a model of pharmacist clinical reasoning during medication review. Our model is adapted from a previously published modelling-using-typified-objects model of physician clinical reasoning in all its cognitive complexity. Our pharmacist model, validated after iterative development and expert consultation, aligns components of pharmacist clinical reasoning with those of physician clinical reasoning. The clinical case contains drug-related problems of variable clinical relevance, as well as numerous key elements (e.g., laboratory results, vital signs) necessary for conducting a medication review. The case serves both as the foundation for model development and as an illustrative step-by-step example within this article.
Our model delineates the subprocesses of pharmacist clinical reasoning during medication review, offering a flexible, multipath structure that underscores the dynamic, nonlinear nature of the reasoning. The model might be able to clarify implicit cognitive processes, thus furthering the overarching objective of promoting reflective skill development among learners rather than relying solely on tacit knowledge gained through practice experience.
{"title":"A graphical model to make explicit pharmacist clinical reasoning during medication review","authors":"Bertrand Guignard , Françoise Crevier , Bernard Charlin , Marie-Claude Audétat","doi":"10.1016/j.sapharm.2024.09.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sapharm.2024.09.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pharmacists’ roles have evolved substantially from traditional drug compounding and dispensing to encompass patient-centred clinical services. Pharmacist clinical reasoning, though fundamental to these new roles, generally remains implicit and understudied, particularly compared with that of other healthcare professionals, such as physicians. However, teaching and supervising the clinical services provided by pharmacists require a thorough understanding of the reasoning process involved. Several models describing pharmacist clinical reasoning have been developed, but they lack unified mapping.</div><div>Here, we used an instrumental case study approach to develop a model of pharmacist clinical reasoning during medication review. Our model is adapted from a previously published modelling-using-typified-objects model of physician clinical reasoning in all its cognitive complexity. Our pharmacist model, validated after iterative development and expert consultation, aligns components of pharmacist clinical reasoning with those of physician clinical reasoning. The clinical case contains drug-related problems of variable clinical relevance, as well as numerous key elements (e.g., laboratory results, vital signs) necessary for conducting a medication review. The case serves both as the foundation for model development and as an illustrative step-by-step example within this article.</div><div>Our model delineates the subprocesses of pharmacist clinical reasoning during medication review, offering a flexible, multipath structure that underscores the dynamic, nonlinear nature of the reasoning. The model might be able to clarify implicit cognitive processes, thus furthering the overarching objective of promoting reflective skill development among learners rather than relying solely on tacit knowledge gained through practice experience.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48126,"journal":{"name":"Research in Social & Administrative Pharmacy","volume":"20 12","pages":"Pages 1142-1150"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2024-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142298837","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-09-12DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2024.09.002
Diala Koudmani , Lina R. Bader , Ian Bates
Introduction
In light of the expanding role of pharmacy in addressing global health challenges of Universal Health Coverage, advancing pharmacy practice to provide more effective pharmaceutical services has become imperative. This study aims to develop and validate a global goals-oriented pharmaceutical development framework to support and guide a systematic practice transformation that can widen access to better health for all.
Methods
A mixed methods approach was used to conduct a series of exploration, development, and consensus phases. The exploratory stage included desk research focused on innovative pharmaceutical provision globally. Focus groups with 14 international pharmacists were held, selected via convenience sampling, to obtain primary data on perceptions of the proposed global FIP “Development Goals” framework. The consultation stage was followed by a modified nominal group technique (mNGT) with 61 global pharmacy leaders from 35 countries across six WHO regions, selected through purposive sampling, to further develop the content of the framework’s first iteration. Lastly, an online two-round modified Delphi approach with 28 global pharmacy leaders, also selected via purposive sampling, was used to ensure the credibility and content validity of the outputs, generating consensus on the final framework matrix.
Results
The exploratory stage produced a draft set of 13 unvalidated FIP Practice Development Goals (DGs) Framework (v0). Initial analysis of the mNGT showed complex intersections between the proposed set of goals, necessitating further modifications by embedding the previously published global Pharmaceutical Workforce Development Goals framework. This resulted in an amended FIP DGs Framework (v1) with 21 DGs. The evidence-led adjustment and distinctive format of the global consensus stage helped generate the validated, systematic FIP DGs Framework (final version), comprising 21 discrete global development goals ready for policy deployment.
Conclusion
A systematic goals-oriented development framework was developed to respond to pharmaceutical development needs and support a needs-based roadmap for a sustainable pharmacy practice transformation globally, regionally and nationally.
{"title":"Developing and validating development goals towards transforming a global framework for pharmacy practice","authors":"Diala Koudmani , Lina R. Bader , Ian Bates","doi":"10.1016/j.sapharm.2024.09.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sapharm.2024.09.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>In light of the expanding role of pharmacy in addressing global health challenges of Universal Health Coverage, advancing pharmacy practice to provide more effective pharmaceutical services has become imperative. This study aims to develop and validate a global goals-oriented pharmaceutical development framework to support and guide a systematic practice transformation that can widen access to better health for all.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A mixed methods approach was used to conduct a series of exploration, development, and consensus phases. The exploratory stage included desk research focused on innovative pharmaceutical provision globally. Focus groups with 14 international pharmacists were held, selected via convenience sampling, to obtain primary data on perceptions of the proposed global FIP “Development Goals” framework. The consultation stage was followed by a modified nominal group technique (mNGT) with 61 global pharmacy leaders from 35 countries across six WHO regions, selected through purposive sampling, to further develop the content of the framework’s first iteration. Lastly, an online two-round modified Delphi approach with 28 global pharmacy leaders, also selected via purposive sampling, was used to ensure the credibility and content validity of the outputs, generating consensus on the final framework matrix.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The exploratory stage produced a draft set of 13 unvalidated FIP Practice Development Goals (DGs) Framework (v0). Initial analysis of the mNGT showed complex intersections between the proposed set of goals, necessitating further modifications by embedding the previously published global Pharmaceutical Workforce Development Goals framework. This resulted in an amended FIP DGs Framework (v1) with 21 DGs. The evidence-led adjustment and distinctive format of the global consensus stage helped generate the validated, systematic FIP DGs Framework (final version), comprising 21 discrete global development goals ready for policy deployment.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>A systematic goals-oriented development framework was developed to respond to pharmaceutical development needs and support a needs-based roadmap for a sustainable pharmacy practice transformation globally, regionally and nationally.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48126,"journal":{"name":"Research in Social & Administrative Pharmacy","volume":"20 12","pages":"Pages 1118-1124"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2024-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142298841","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Unintended discrepancy in medications at the time of discharge from the hospital is associated with an increased incidence of adverse drug events, including readmission to hospital. Medication literacy is an essential part of health literacy and can reduce medication discrepancies. This prospective observational cohort study aimed to measure the medication literacy of patients at the time of discharge from the hospital when managed with usual care and after the introduction of a medication literacy improvement instrument. This study involved a baseline cohort receiving usual care and a post-intervention cohort aged 50–80 years with high health literacy. The 7 Things I Should Know About My Medications at the Time of Discharge from Hospital instrument, in short, The 7 Domains MedLit Instrument, was designed by the researchers in addition to three medication literacy measurement questionnaires. Medication literacy was measured at 30 h post-discharge. The impact on readmission to hospital was assessed at 30 days post-discharge. The 7 Domains MedLit Instrument was found to significantly increase the number of patients reporting increased counselling by a clinician at the time of discharge from the hospital (clinician, 59.3 % vs. 100.0 %, X2 (1, n = 49) = 11.10, p < 0.01, physician, 28.6 % vs. 76.2, X2 (1, n = 49) = 10.9, p < 0.01, pharmacist 25.0 % vs. 71.4 %, X2 (1, n = 49) = 10.4, p < 0.01)). Significantly, more patients had increased knowledge on drug interactions or adverse drug reactions after using the instrument (26.1 % vs. 61.9 %, P = 0.032 and 30.4 % vs. 66.7 %, P = 0.033, respectively). The 7 Domains MedLit Instrument and the schooling years significantly correlated with the knowledge of drug interactions and adverse drug reactions. Less post-intervention participants visited an emergency department within 30 days post-discharge. The 7 Domains MedLit Instrument significantly improved the patients’ medication literacy at the time of discharge from hospital.
出院时用药的意外差异与不良药物事件(包括再次入院)的发生率增加有关。用药知识是健康知识的重要组成部分,可以减少用药差异。这项前瞻性观察性队列研究旨在测量患者出院时的用药知识水平,包括接受常规护理时的用药知识水平和采用用药知识改进工具后的用药知识水平。研究对象包括接受常规护理的基线人群和干预后的50-80岁高健康素养人群。除三份用药知识测量问卷外,研究人员还设计了 "出院时我应该知道的关于我的药物的 7 件事 "工具,简称 "7 领域用药知识工具"。出院后 30 小时对用药知识进行测量。在出院后 30 天对再次入院的影响进行评估。研究发现,7 个领域的 MedLit Instrument 能显著增加患者在出院时报告临床医生增加咨询的人数(临床医生,59.3% 对 100.0%,X2 (1, n = 49) = 11.10,P 2 (1, n = 49) = 10.9,P 2 (1, n = 49) = 10.4,P 2 (1, n = 49) = 10.4,P 2 (1, n = 49) = 11.10,P 2 (1, n = 49) = 10.9,P 2 (1, n = 49) = 10.4,P 2 (1, n = 49) = 10.4。
{"title":"Improving the medication literacy at the time of discharge from hospital (the LiMeTiD study)","authors":"Omar Mubaslat , Vickie Zhiyan Zhang , Rebekah Moles","doi":"10.1016/j.sapharm.2024.09.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sapharm.2024.09.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Unintended discrepancy in medications at the time of discharge from the hospital is associated with an increased incidence of adverse drug events, including readmission to hospital. Medication literacy is an essential part of health literacy and can reduce medication discrepancies. This prospective observational cohort study aimed to measure the medication literacy of patients at the time of discharge from the hospital when managed with usual care and after the introduction of a medication literacy improvement instrument. This study involved a baseline cohort receiving usual care and a post-intervention cohort aged 50–80 years with high health literacy. The 7 Things I Should Know About My Medications at the Time of Discharge from Hospital instrument, in short, The 7 Domains MedLit Instrument, was designed by the researchers in addition to three medication literacy measurement questionnaires. Medication literacy was measured at 30 h post-discharge. The impact on readmission to hospital was assessed at 30 days post-discharge. The 7 Domains MedLit Instrument was found to significantly increase the number of patients reporting increased counselling by a clinician at the time of discharge from the hospital (clinician, 59.3 % vs. 100.0 %, X<sup>2</sup> (1, n = 49) = 11.10, p < 0.01, physician, 28.6 % vs. 76.2, X<sup>2</sup> (1, n = 49) = 10.9, p < 0.01, pharmacist 25.0 % vs. 71.4 %, X<sup>2</sup> (1, n = 49) = 10.4, p < 0.01)). Significantly, more patients had increased knowledge on drug interactions or adverse drug reactions after using the instrument (26.1 % vs. 61.9 %, P = 0.032 and 30.4 % vs. 66.7 %, P = 0.033, respectively). The 7 Domains MedLit Instrument and the schooling years significantly correlated with the knowledge of drug interactions and adverse drug reactions. Less post-intervention participants visited an emergency department within 30 days post-discharge. The 7 Domains MedLit Instrument significantly improved the patients’ medication literacy at the time of discharge from hospital.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48126,"journal":{"name":"Research in Social & Administrative Pharmacy","volume":"20 12","pages":"Pages 1125-1133"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2024-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142298843","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-09-03DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2024.09.001
Suzanne Nielsen , Freya Horn , Rebecca McDonald , Desiree Eide , Alexander Y Walley , Ingrid Binswanger , Aili V Langford , Pallavi Prathivadi , Pene Wood , Thomas Clausen , Louisa Picco
Background
Opioid utilization and related harm have increased in recent decades, notably in Australia, the United States, Canada, and some European countries. For people who are prescribed opioids, pharmacies offer an accessible, regular point-of-contact, providing a unique opportunity to address opioid prescription drugs risks.
Objective
This project aimed to develop consensus-based, best practice statements for improving the safer use of prescription opioids through community pharmacy settings.
Methods
The e-Delphi technique is used to obtain consensus from experts about issues where conclusive evidence is lacking, using multiple rounds of online participation. The investigator group identified an international group of potential participants with relevant expertise who were invited to the study, and asked to identify other experts for invitation. The e-Delphi process comprised three online rounds, involving (1) statement idea generation, (2) developing statement consensus, and (3) confirming and ranking statements.
Results
A diverse group of 42 experts (76 % female, 6 countries) participated, comprising pharmacists (n = 24, 57 %), medical doctors of differing specialties (n = 12, 29 %), and/or researchers (n = 28, 67 %), with a mean of 15 years’ professional experience (SD = 8.08). Eighty-five statements were initially developed in Round 1, and 78 were supported with amendments, with suggestions to merge and remove items in Round 2, resulting in 72 final statements which were all endorsed in Round 3. Items spanned seven themes: education, monitoring outcomes and risk, deprescribing and pain management, overdose education and naloxone, opioid agonist treatment, staff education, and overarching practices. Preferred terminology was determined in Round 2 and confirmed in Round 3.
Conclusions
Community pharmacies offer a unique opportunity to support the safer use of prescription opioids. These 72 best practice statements provide practical guidance on specific practices that pharmacists can undertake to support patients' safer use of prescription opioids and prevent or reduce harms from prescribed opioid use.
{"title":"Development of pharmacy-based best practices to support safer use and management of prescription opioids based on an e-Delphi methodology","authors":"Suzanne Nielsen , Freya Horn , Rebecca McDonald , Desiree Eide , Alexander Y Walley , Ingrid Binswanger , Aili V Langford , Pallavi Prathivadi , Pene Wood , Thomas Clausen , Louisa Picco","doi":"10.1016/j.sapharm.2024.09.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sapharm.2024.09.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Opioid utilization and related harm have increased in recent decades, notably in Australia, the United States, Canada, and some European countries. For people who are prescribed opioids, pharmacies offer an accessible, regular point-of-contact, providing a unique opportunity to address opioid prescription drugs risks.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This project aimed to develop consensus-based, best practice statements for improving the safer use of prescription opioids through community pharmacy settings.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The e-Delphi technique is used to obtain consensus from experts about issues where conclusive evidence is lacking, using multiple rounds of online participation. The investigator group identified an international group of potential participants with relevant expertise who were invited to the study, and asked to identify other experts for invitation. The e-Delphi process comprised three online rounds, involving (1) statement idea generation, (2) developing statement consensus, and (3) confirming and ranking statements.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A diverse group of 42 experts (76 % female, 6 countries) participated, comprising pharmacists (n = 24, 57 %), medical doctors of differing specialties (n = 12, 29 %), and/or researchers (n = 28, 67 %), with a mean of 15 years’ professional experience (SD = 8.08). Eighty-five statements were initially developed in Round 1, and 78 were supported with amendments, with suggestions to merge and remove items in Round 2, resulting in 72 final statements which were all endorsed in Round 3. Items spanned seven themes: education, monitoring outcomes and risk, deprescribing and pain management, overdose education and naloxone, opioid agonist treatment, staff education, and overarching practices. Preferred terminology was determined in Round 2 and confirmed in Round 3.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Community pharmacies offer a unique opportunity to support the safer use of prescription opioids. These 72 best practice statements provide practical guidance on specific practices that pharmacists can undertake to support patients' safer use of prescription opioids and prevent or reduce harms from prescribed opioid use.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48126,"journal":{"name":"Research in Social & Administrative Pharmacy","volume":"20 12","pages":"Pages 1110-1117"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2024-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142298842","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-09-03DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2024.08.092
Naomi Dyer Yount , Benedicta Osafo-Darko , Willow Burns , Maurice C. Johnson Jr. , Kevin R. Betts , Helen W. Sullivan
Background
The prevalence of direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising for prescription drugs has led to concerns about how consumers interpret the medical information conveyed in these ads. One strategy for improving lay understanding of medical information involves incorporating quantitative information about a treatment's potential benefits and risks.
Objective
This literature review investigates laypersons’ interpretations of statistical concepts, expanding on past reviews and including terms that may be used in DTC prescription drug advertising.
Methods
We searched six databases for articles published from January 2000 to October 2021. Articles were included if they were in English and examined general or lay audiences’ comprehension of quantitative or statistical concepts, without limiting the context of the studies to medical situations.
Results
We identified 25 eligible articles. The evidence suggests that likelihood ratios, odds ratios, probabilities, numbers needed to treat/harm, and confidence intervals hinder comprehension of quantitative information. The results are mixed for information presented as frequencies, percentages, absolute risk reduction, and relative risk reduction. The mixed findings could be due to numeracy, framing as risks or benefits, and operationalization of the outcomes. We found no studies examining interpretations of minimum, maximum, central tendency, power, statistical significance, or hazard ratio.
Conclusion
Studies spanning several decades have examined how laypeople interpret statistical concepts. While a few terms are consistently studied, many questions still remain on how to make risk information more understandable to lay audiences, particularly those with low numeracy.
{"title":"Laypersons’ understanding of statistical concepts commonly used in prescription drug promotion: A review of the research literature","authors":"Naomi Dyer Yount , Benedicta Osafo-Darko , Willow Burns , Maurice C. Johnson Jr. , Kevin R. Betts , Helen W. Sullivan","doi":"10.1016/j.sapharm.2024.08.092","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sapharm.2024.08.092","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The prevalence of direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising for prescription drugs has led to concerns about how consumers interpret the medical information conveyed in these ads. One strategy for improving lay understanding of medical information involves incorporating quantitative information about a treatment's potential benefits and risks.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This literature review investigates laypersons’ interpretations of statistical concepts, expanding on past reviews and including terms that may be used in DTC prescription drug advertising.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We searched six databases for articles published from January 2000 to October 2021. Articles were included if they were in English and examined general or lay audiences’ comprehension of quantitative or statistical concepts, without limiting the context of the studies to medical situations.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>We identified 25 eligible articles. The evidence suggests that likelihood ratios, odds ratios, probabilities, numbers needed to treat/harm, and confidence intervals hinder comprehension of quantitative information. The results are mixed for information presented as frequencies, percentages, absolute risk reduction, and relative risk reduction. The mixed findings could be due to numeracy, framing as risks or benefits, and operationalization of the outcomes. We found no studies examining interpretations of minimum, maximum, central tendency, power, statistical significance, or hazard ratio.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Studies spanning several decades have examined how laypeople interpret statistical concepts. While a few terms are consistently studied, many questions still remain on how to make risk information more understandable to lay audiences, particularly those with low numeracy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48126,"journal":{"name":"Research in Social & Administrative Pharmacy","volume":"20 12","pages":"Pages 1075-1088"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2024-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142298844","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-09-01Epub Date: 2024-05-11DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2024.05.002
Gabriela Jorge Milani, Luani Takasugui Damasceno, Gustavo Magno Baldin Tiguman, Patricia Melo Aguiar
Background: Prescribing by pharmacists is an increasingly common practice worldwide. In Brazil regulation of this practice began in 2013, and the practice remains unexplored as a research topic.
Objective: We aimed to explore and gain insights into pharmacist prescribing practices in Brazil and assessing pharmacist's perceptions of their training and preparedness to prescribe medications.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between October 2022 and March 2023 via convenience sampling. Data were collected using an online questionnaire covering sociodemographic issues, academic training, prescribing practices, and perceptions regarding the provision of pharmacist prescribing in ambulatory care. Exploratory descriptive analysis and Poisson regression were performed to estimate the associations between pharmacist characteristics and their practices in prescribing medicines.
Results: Among the 305 valid responses, 58.7% of the outpatient pharmacists stated that they had not prescribed any medication in the previous three years. Over-the-counter medication prescriptions were most common (42.0%). Only 4.6% of respondents had prescribed prescription-only medicines provided through collaborative agreement, with 2.6% reporting that they had adjusted doses, and 2.3% played a role in prescription renewal. Pharmacists living in Northeast regions tended to be more active prescribers (PR = 1.42; 95%CI 1.03-2.18), whereas those in primary healthcare (PR = 0.61; 95%CI 0.39-0.96) and self-declared Black pharmacists (PR = 0.30; 95%CI 0.10-0.97) prescribed less. Respondents strongly believed in the pharmacist's role as a prescriber, although they remained ambivalent regarding their responsibility for patient outcomes. Progress barriers include infrastructure gaps and strained relationships with physicians.
Conclusions: This study suggests that pharmacists in Brazil predominantly prescribe over-the-counter medications, and variations in setting, region, and race can influence prescribing by pharmacist in ambulatory care.
{"title":"Assessment of the implementation of pharmacist prescribing: Challenges and pathways for ambulatory practice.","authors":"Gabriela Jorge Milani, Luani Takasugui Damasceno, Gustavo Magno Baldin Tiguman, Patricia Melo Aguiar","doi":"10.1016/j.sapharm.2024.05.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sapharm.2024.05.002","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Prescribing by pharmacists is an increasingly common practice worldwide. In Brazil regulation of this practice began in 2013, and the practice remains unexplored as a research topic.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>We aimed to explore and gain insights into pharmacist prescribing practices in Brazil and assessing pharmacist's perceptions of their training and preparedness to prescribe medications.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional survey was conducted between October 2022 and March 2023 via convenience sampling. Data were collected using an online questionnaire covering sociodemographic issues, academic training, prescribing practices, and perceptions regarding the provision of pharmacist prescribing in ambulatory care. Exploratory descriptive analysis and Poisson regression were performed to estimate the associations between pharmacist characteristics and their practices in prescribing medicines.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the 305 valid responses, 58.7% of the outpatient pharmacists stated that they had not prescribed any medication in the previous three years. Over-the-counter medication prescriptions were most common (42.0%). Only 4.6% of respondents had prescribed prescription-only medicines provided through collaborative agreement, with 2.6% reporting that they had adjusted doses, and 2.3% played a role in prescription renewal. Pharmacists living in Northeast regions tended to be more active prescribers (PR = 1.42; 95%CI 1.03-2.18), whereas those in primary healthcare (PR = 0.61; 95%CI 0.39-0.96) and self-declared Black pharmacists (PR = 0.30; 95%CI 0.10-0.97) prescribed less. Respondents strongly believed in the pharmacist's role as a prescriber, although they remained ambivalent regarding their responsibility for patient outcomes. Progress barriers include infrastructure gaps and strained relationships with physicians.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study suggests that pharmacists in Brazil predominantly prescribe over-the-counter medications, and variations in setting, region, and race can influence prescribing by pharmacist in ambulatory care.</p>","PeriodicalId":48126,"journal":{"name":"Research in Social & Administrative Pharmacy","volume":" ","pages":"870-879"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140960054","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-08-28DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2024.08.091
Ai Ling Oh , Mohd Makmor-Bakry , Farida Islahudin , Chuo Yew Ting , Swee Kim Chan , Siew Teck Tie
Background
Tuberculosis (TB) treatment interruption poses risks of antimicrobial resistance, potentially leading to treatment failure and mortality. Addressing the risk of early treatment interruption is crucial in tuberculosis care and management to improve treatment outcomes and curb disease transmission.
Objectives
This study aimed to identify risk factors of TB treatment interruption and construct a predictive scoring model that enables objective risk stratification for better prediction of treatment interruption.
Methods
A multicentre retrospective cohort study was conducted at public health clinics in Sarawak, Malaysia over 11 months from March 2022 to January 2023, involving adult patients aged ≥18 years with drug-susceptible TB diagnosed between 2018 and 2021. Cumulative missed doses or discontinuation of TB medications for ≥2 weeks, either consecutive or non-consecutive, was considered as treatment interruption. The model was developed and internally validated using the split-sample method. Multiple logistic regression analysed 18 pre-defined variables to identify the predictors of TB treatment interruption. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were employed to evaluate model performance.
Results
Of 2953 cases, two-thirds (1969) were assigned to the derivation cohort, and one-third (984) formed the validation cohort. Positive predictors included smoking, previously treated cases, and adverse drug reactions, while concurrent diabetes was protective. Based on the validation dataset, the model demonstrated good calibration (P = 0.143) with acceptable discriminative ability (AUC = 0.775). A cutoff score of 2.5 out of 11 achieved a sensitivity of 81 % and a specificity of 64.4 %. Risk stratification into low (0–2), medium (3–5), and high-risk (≥6) categories showed ascending interruption rates of 5.3 %, 18.1 %, and 41.3 %, respectively (P < 0.001).
Conclusion
The predictive scoring model aids in risk assessment for TB treatment interruption, enabling focused monitoring and personalized intervention plans for higher-risk groups in the early treatment phase.
{"title":"Development and validation of a predictive scoring model for risk stratification of tuberculosis treatment interruption","authors":"Ai Ling Oh , Mohd Makmor-Bakry , Farida Islahudin , Chuo Yew Ting , Swee Kim Chan , Siew Teck Tie","doi":"10.1016/j.sapharm.2024.08.091","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sapharm.2024.08.091","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Tuberculosis (TB) treatment interruption poses risks of antimicrobial resistance, potentially leading to treatment failure and mortality. Addressing the risk of early treatment interruption is crucial in tuberculosis care and management to improve treatment outcomes and curb disease transmission.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This study aimed to identify risk factors of TB treatment interruption and construct a predictive scoring model that enables objective risk stratification for better prediction of treatment interruption.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A multicentre retrospective cohort study was conducted at public health clinics in Sarawak, Malaysia over 11 months from March 2022 to January 2023, involving adult patients aged ≥18 years with drug-susceptible TB diagnosed between 2018 and 2021. Cumulative missed doses or discontinuation of TB medications for ≥2 weeks, either consecutive or non-consecutive, was considered as treatment interruption. The model was developed and internally validated using the split-sample method. Multiple logistic regression analysed 18 pre-defined variables to identify the predictors of TB treatment interruption. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were employed to evaluate model performance.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Of 2953 cases, two-thirds (1969) were assigned to the derivation cohort, and one-third (984) formed the validation cohort. Positive predictors included smoking, previously treated cases, and adverse drug reactions, while concurrent diabetes was protective. Based on the validation dataset, the model demonstrated good calibration (<em>P</em> = 0.143) with acceptable discriminative ability (AUC = 0.775). A cutoff score of 2.5 out of 11 achieved a sensitivity of 81 % and a specificity of 64.4 %. Risk stratification into low (0–2), medium (3–5), and high-risk (≥6) categories showed ascending interruption rates of 5.3 %, 18.1 %, and 41.3 %, respectively (<em>P</em> < 0.001).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The predictive scoring model aids in risk assessment for TB treatment interruption, enabling focused monitoring and personalized intervention plans for higher-risk groups in the early treatment phase.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48126,"journal":{"name":"Research in Social & Administrative Pharmacy","volume":"20 12","pages":"Pages 1102-1109"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2024-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142113518","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-08-26DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2024.08.090
Selina Barbati , Pascal C. Baumgartner , Fine Dietrich , Samuel S. Allemann , Isabelle Arnet
Background
Direct oral anticoagulants are the preferred treatment for stroke patients with atrial fibrillation. Pharmacy dispensing data represent a practical method to identify suboptimal medication adherence.
Objective
This study investigates whether pharmacy dispensing data are indicative of real-life adherence behavior, using data from 130 patients in the MAAESTRO study (2018–2022) in Basel, Switzerland.
Methods
This secondary data analysis of the MAAESTRO study (Dietrich, 2024) included patients with electronic monitoring (EM) and dispensing data for 12 months. Patients with at least two refills were included in the analysis.
We categorized refill series into three adherence patterns using the Delta T method (Baumgartner, 2022): all refills on time, erratic refills, end-gaps ≥10 days. EM-adherence was assessed through “taking adherence” and “missing days” (24h without intake). We analyzed: i) all dispensing data (“all refills”); ii) all data independently of the MAAESTRO phase (“all phases”); iii) the last two dispensing data (“last”), and iv) EM data from the MAAESTRO phase that match the date of the last refill (“matched”). Associations between refill patterns and adherence were examined using Spearman correlation and Fisher's exact test.
Results
Data analyzed from 50 patients (mean age 76.4 ± 9.1 years, 56.0 % male) included 252 refills with a median of 4 refills per patient. Refill patterns were: all refills on time (40.0 %), erratic refills (36.0 %), and end-gaps >10 days (24.0 %). Mean taking adherence was 89.3 ± 13.7 %. EM data revealed missing days in 82.0 % of patients, with 61.0 % having irregular refill patterns. Matched taking adherence was moderately associated with Delta T over all refills (p = 0.034) and the last refill (p = 0.013).
Conclusions
Dispensing data processed with the Delta T method correlate moderately with EM data. The Delta T value for the last two refills shows promise for estimating irregular adherence, suggesting potential for targeted interventions in pharmacy practice.
背景:直接口服抗凝剂是心房颤动中风患者的首选治疗方法。药房配药数据是识别次优用药依从性的实用方法:本研究使用瑞士巴塞尔 MAAESTRO 研究(2018-2022 年)中 130 名患者的数据,调查药房配药数据是否能反映现实生活中的依从性行为:这项对 MAAESTRO 研究(Dietrich,2024 年)的二次数据分析包括了 12 个月内具有电子监测(EM)和配药数据的患者。至少有两次补药的患者被纳入分析范围。我们采用德尔塔 T 法(Baumgartner,2022 年)将续药系列分为三种依从性模式:全部按时续药、不规则续药、末端间隙≥10 天。EM 依从性通过 "服用依从性 "和 "缺失天数"(24 小时未服用)进行评估。我们分析了:i) 所有配药数据("所有笔芯");ii) 独立于 MAAESTRO 阶段的所有数据("所有阶段");iii) 最后两次配药数据("最后一次");iv) MAAESTRO 阶段中与最后一次笔芯日期相匹配的 EM 数据("匹配")。使用斯皮尔曼相关性和费雪精确检验法检验再充药模式与依从性之间的关联:对 50 名患者(平均年龄为 76.4 ± 9.1 岁,56.0% 为男性)的数据进行了分析,其中包括 252 次补药,每位患者补药次数的中位数为 4 次。补药模式为:全部按时补药(40.0%)、补药不规律(36.0%)和补药间隔大于 10 天(24.0%)。平均服药依从性为 89.3 ± 13.7%。EM数据显示,82.0%的患者缺失了服药天数,61.0%的患者有不规则的再服药模式。匹配的服药依从性与 Delta T 的所有笔芯(p = 0.034)和最后一次笔芯(p = 0.013)有中度相关性:结论:使用 Delta T 方法处理的配药数据与 EM 数据有一定的相关性。最后两次再充装的 Delta T 值显示了估计不规则依从性的前景,这表明在药学实践中进行有针对性的干预是有潜力的。
{"title":"Concordance between pharmacy dispensing and electronic monitoring data of direct oral anticoagulants - A secondary analysis of the MAAESTRO study","authors":"Selina Barbati , Pascal C. Baumgartner , Fine Dietrich , Samuel S. Allemann , Isabelle Arnet","doi":"10.1016/j.sapharm.2024.08.090","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sapharm.2024.08.090","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Direct oral anticoagulants are the preferred treatment for stroke patients with atrial fibrillation. Pharmacy dispensing data represent a practical method to identify suboptimal medication adherence.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study investigates whether pharmacy dispensing data are indicative of real-life adherence behavior, using data from 130 patients in the MAAESTRO study (2018–2022) in Basel, Switzerland.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This secondary data analysis of the MAAESTRO study (Dietrich, 2024) included patients with electronic monitoring (EM) and dispensing data for 12 months. Patients with at least two refills were included in the analysis.</div><div>We categorized refill series into three adherence patterns using the Delta T method (Baumgartner, 2022): all refills on time, erratic refills, end-gaps ≥10 days. EM-adherence was assessed through “taking adherence” and “missing days” (24h without intake). We analyzed: i) all dispensing data (“all refills”); ii) all data independently of the MAAESTRO phase (“all phases”); iii) the last two dispensing data (“last”), and iv) EM data from the MAAESTRO phase that match the date of the last refill (“matched”). Associations between refill patterns and adherence were examined using Spearman correlation and Fisher's exact test.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Data analyzed from 50 patients (mean age 76.4 ± 9.1 years, 56.0 % male) included 252 refills with a median of 4 refills per patient. Refill patterns were: all refills on time (40.0 %), erratic refills (36.0 %), and end-gaps >10 days (24.0 %). Mean taking adherence was 89.3 ± 13.7 %. EM data revealed missing days in 82.0 % of patients, with 61.0 % having irregular refill patterns. Matched taking adherence was moderately associated with Delta T over all refills (p = 0.034) and the last refill (p = 0.013).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Dispensing data processed with the Delta T method correlate moderately with EM data. The Delta T value for the last two refills shows promise for estimating irregular adherence, suggesting potential for targeted interventions in pharmacy practice.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48126,"journal":{"name":"Research in Social & Administrative Pharmacy","volume":"20 12","pages":"Pages 1096-1101"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2024-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142113513","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}