Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy最新文献

{"title":"A data-driven approach to optimizing waiting times in outpatient pharmacy services: Interrupted time series analysis","authors":"Hazzaa Alghamdi ,&nbsp;Talal S. Alshihayb ,&nbsp;Yazeed Alharbi ,&nbsp;Mohammad Alawagi ,&nbsp;Abdullah Aleissa ,&nbsp;Yasser Albogami","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100672","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100672","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Operational efficiency in outpatient pharmacies is a critical factor in healthcare delivery, directly impacting patient satisfaction and adherence to prescribed treatments. Prolonged waiting times in pharmacies can lead to patient dissatisfaction, reduced medication adherence, and potential health risks.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aimed to analyze the impact of a data-driven intervention on reducing patient waiting times in an outpatient pharmacy at a tertiary hospital, with a goal of ensuring that patients are served within 30 min of ticket issuance.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The study utilized data from the “Qsmart” ticketing system, covering October 2022 to November 2023. A descriptive analysis was conducted to identify peak service hours and assess staffing patterns. An interrupted time series analysis (ITSA) was employed to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention implemented between January 22 and February 26, 2023. The intervention included increased staffing during peak hours, adjustments to break schedules, and enhanced pre-peak hour preparations.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The descriptive analysis revealed peak service hours between 9 AM and 11 AM, with the highest number of tickets issued at 10 AM. The intervention produced a significant immediate level reduction in waiting times of 0.1540 (95 %CI: 0.0421,0.2659) but there was <strong>no additional post-intervention slope change</strong>, indicating that the improvement was not progressively increasing over time.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The data-driven intervention effectively reduced waiting times in the outpatient pharmacy, with significant immediate improvements observed. This study highlights the potential of strategic operational adjustments to enhance service efficiency and patient satisfaction. Further research is needed to validate the sustainability and generalizability of these findings in other settings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article 100672"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145465616","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unmet information needs and knowledge gaps in cancer patients undergoing oral anticancer therapy","authors":"Anna K. Moritz ,&nbsp;Wolfgang Fehrmann ,&nbsp;Markus K. Schuler ,&nbsp;Stephanie Stock ,&nbsp;Ulrich Jaehde ,&nbsp;Nicole Ernstmann","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100678","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100678","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The increasing use of oral anticancer therapy (OAT) requires self-management skills from cancer patients. Adequate information and counseling, as well as medication literacy, are key elements of safe and successful therapy in the patient's home.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The aim of the study was to identify unmet information needs and knowledge gaps of cancer patients regarding their therapy with OAT.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Semi-structured, guideline-based interviews with cancer patients undergoing OAT were conducted, recorded and professionally transcribed. The transcripts were analysed using qualitative content analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 21 interviews were conducted. Fifteen of the interviewees were female, the median age was 69.6 years. Patients with solid tumours as well as those with blood cancers were interviewed. In the interviews, experiences were reported with various classes of OATs (chemotherapy; anti-hormonal therapy; targeted therapy). The following themes were identified: 1) Therapy-related information needs; 2) No information received; 3) No awareness for information needs; 4) No need for more information; 5) Therapy-related knowledge gaps; 6) Potentially inadequate knowledge. Deficits were identified in relation to correct use, possible interactions, and dealing with adverse events. Individual patients also report actively avoiding information.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The identified information needs and knowledge gaps of patients undergoing OAT highlight the need to optimize information and counseling in order to ensure treatment safety and success. In addition to providing knowledge, the self-management skills of patients should also be specifically strengthened. Furthermore, improvements to the structural framework in the outpatient setting are necessary, particularly with regard to the availability of counseling services. The results can be used as a basis for the development of specific interprofessional educational interventions for those affected.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article 100678"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145465617","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Overemployment and underemployment of part-time pharmacists: Prevalence and connection to work-life characteristics","authors":"David A. Mott ,&nbsp;William R. Doucette ,&nbsp;Eilan Alhersh ,&nbsp;Vibhuti Arya ,&nbsp;Brianne K. Bakken ,&nbsp;Caroline Gaither ,&nbsp;David H. Kreling ,&nbsp;Jon C. Schommer ,&nbsp;Matthew Witry","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100673","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100673","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Overemployment and underemployment are associated with fluctuations in labor supply and can negatively impact psychosocial aspects of work and worker health.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>The objectives of this study were to 1) determine the prevalence and characteristics of underemployment, overemployment and matched employment among part-time pharmacists; 2) examine differences in actual and ideal hours worked for overemployed and underemployed part-time pharmacists; and 3) test associations between overemployment, underemployment and matched employment and part-time pharmacists' perceptions of job quality and work-life characteristics.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Data for 636 pharmacists self-reporting working part-time (≤ 30 h/week) were extracted from the 2019 National Pharmacists Workforce Study. The difference in self-reported actual and ideal hours worked weekly was calculated and used to classify part-time pharmacists as overemployed, underemployed or matched employed. Differences between the variables were tested with multivariate ordinary least squares regression models.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Being matched employed was most common (41.3 %) followed by underemployed (34.9 %) and being overemployed (23.8 %). Of underemployed respondents, over half (54.1 %) reported wanting to work full-time, which likely is reflective of the relatively loose national pharmacist labor market in 2019. Overemployed and underemployed respondents reported significantly lower levels of several of the work-life characteristics relative to those with matched employment.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The higher rate of underemployment among pharmacists working part-time is consistent with the surplus of US pharmacists in 2019. The results show that for pharmacists working part-time, a lack of control over how much they work is negatively associated with job quality and work-life characteristics relative to pharmacists with work schedule control.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article 100673"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145415762","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The role of community leaders on rational drug use literacy: A structural equation modeling","authors":"Thunpitcha Sakpirom ,&nbsp;Kusawadee Maluangnon ,&nbsp;Chaoncin Sooksriwong ,&nbsp;Apinya Ingard","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100675","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100675","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Irrational drug use remains a global health challenge, particularly in underserved communities with limited healthcare access. In Thailand, despite the Rational Drug Use (RDU) initiative, problems such as antibiotic misuse and selfmedication persist. Rational Drug Use Literacy (RDUL)—the ability to access, understand, evaluate, and apply drug information—is vital for improving medication behaviors. While most efforts focus on health professionals, the role of community leaders has been less explored.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A cross-sectional study was conducted with 328 participants in Pathum Thani Province, including 168 community members and 160 community leaders selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and a validated RDUL tool. Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to assess direct and moderating effects of situational and socioenvironmental factors on RDUL.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Community leaders exhibited higher Rational Drug Use Literacy (RDUL) than community members (M = 41.90 vs. 39.48, <em>p</em> = .003), particularly in accessing, appraising, and applying drug information. Structural Equation Modeling revealed that both situational factors (β = 0.357, <em>p</em> &lt; .001) and socio-environmental factors (β = 0.168, <em>p</em> = .021) positively influenced RDUL, indicating that favorable circumstances and supportive environments enhance individuals' medication literacy. Importantly, leadership played a nuanced role: it diminished the influence of situational factors on RDUL (β = −0.634, <em>p</em> &lt; .001) while moderately amplifying the effect of socioenvironmental factors (β = 0.327, <em>p</em> = .058). These results highlight that community leaders not only enhance overall medication literacy but also alter how contextual factors contribute to informed drug use.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Community leaders play a complex but crucial role in shaping RDUL. While they strengthen certain literacy dimensions, their influence also alters contextual effects. RDUL strategies should leverage leaders as trusted figures while enhancing their capacity to promote informed medication use. Incorporating community leadership into health programs may increase the effectiveness and sustainability of RDU efforts in resource-limited settings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article 100675"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145415760","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessment of insulin pen injection practices and the effectiveness of pharmacist interventions in improving injection technique among patients with diabetes mellitus","authors":"Bidur Sharma ,&nbsp;Devindra Kumar Neupane ,&nbsp;Rahi Bikram Thapa ,&nbsp;Rajani Shakya ,&nbsp;Rojeena Koju Shrestha ,&nbsp;Pooja Rimal","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100671","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100671","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Insulin therapy is crucial for Type 1 and advanced Type 2 diabetes management. Despite the convenience of insulin pens, improper use persists due to limited patient education. Pharmacists' expertise in counseling and medication safety uniquely positions them to address these gaps through individualized guidance on use, adherence, and monitoring.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This study aimed to evaluate the impact of pharmacist-led interventions on improving insulin injection practices among diabetes patients.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A pre–post interventional study was conducted at Dhulikhel Hospital (April–September 2018) among 81 consecutively enrolled insulin pen users (≥12 years; on pens ≥2 weeks) from inpatient and outpatient wards. Patients underwent baseline assessment of 16 injection technique elements, received one-to-one pharmacist-led training with demonstration, and were reassessed immediately and after 2 weeks. The primary outcome was the total technique score (0–16), analyzed using Friedman's test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Cold chain maintenance was suboptimal, with 51.9 % of patients transporting insulin cartridges without an icepack. Unsafe needle disposal was common, with 40.7 % discarding needles in municipal vehicles, 13.6 % in bushes, and 4.9 % in rivers. Pharmacist-led interventions significantly improved all practices (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05). Proper cartridge storage increased from 77.8 % pre-intervention to 91.4 % post-intervention and 88.6 % at two weeks. Correct room temperature pen storage rose from 49.4 % to 95.1 % post-intervention, declining slightly to 70.8 % at two weeks. Correct insulin mixing surged from 7.8 % to 100 % post-intervention, remaining at 81.1 % at two weeks. Injection technique scores significantly improved (median pre = 10, post = 15) and were largely sustained (median two-weeks = 14).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Pharmacist-led education significantly improved insulin injection techniques. Integrating pharmacists into routine diabetes care and reinforcing education is essential to sustain these improvements. These findings underscore that clinical pharmacy interventions make a tangible difference in improving healthcare outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article 100671"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145319930","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The impact of patient information on prescribing errors: Insights from pharmaceutical interventions","authors":"Daisuke Koike ,&nbsp;Masahiro Ito ,&nbsp;Keiko Tomomatsu ,&nbsp;Ryuta Shindo ,&nbsp;Terumi Miyashita ,&nbsp;Junichi Yamakami ,&nbsp;Akihiko Horiguchi ,&nbsp;Shigeki Yamada","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100665","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100665","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Medication errors are more likely to occur in patients with complex conditions, where appropriate prescribing requires accurate and comprehensive patient information. Inadequate use of such information, such as overlooking laboratory results or patient weight, can lead to dosing errors or contraindicated prescriptions, even with electronic checking systems. This study aimed to analyze prescribing errors detected through pharmaceutical interventions, focusing on the patient information in the hospital information system.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A retrospective analysis was conducted on 9774 pharmaceutical interventions performed between April 2019 and March 2020. Of these, 3372 interventions related to patient information stored in hospital information system were included. Prescribing errors were categorized into five patient-specific information categories: allergy information, laboratory data, concomitant drugs, patient weight, and patient status and history. Demographic and prescription data were analyzed, and a heatmap was developed to visualize high-risk areas.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Among the included interventions, 1352 (40.1 %) prescriptions involved corrections of prescribing errors, with laboratory data being the most frequently utilized patient information source (<em>n</em> = 2526). Error rates were higher in weekend settings compared to weekday settings (56.2 % vs. 38.3 %, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001, Cramér's V = 0.111), and prescriptions for patients younger than 20 years exhibited the highest error rates among age groups (66.9 %; <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001). Error rates were significantly varied by drug type (P &lt; 0.001, Cramér's V = 0.395). Among these, digestive drugs showed the highest error rates (69.1 %), particularly those requiring renal dosing adjustments. Conversely, anti-tumor agents demonstrated a lower error rate (15.9 %) due to stringent monitoring processes. The high-risk heatmap highlighted specific risks, such as weight data for younger patients and patient status for anti-inflammatory drugs.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Laboratory data were the most frequently used information source, to prevent prescribing errors. The risk heatmap demonstrated weekends, pediatric patients, and renal dosing as high-risk areas. These findings suggest that future information systems should enhance the utility of laboratory data and incorporate tailored alerting strategies focused on high-risk patient conditions and clinical settings, such as real-time lab data alerts or weight-based dosing calculators, and potentially explore the use of AI for proactive error prevention.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article 100665"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145265317","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A qualitative exploration of pharmacists' roles in centralised vaccination centres during the COVID-19 pandemic","authors":"Jessica Bennett ,&nbsp;Aoife Clabby ,&nbsp;James W. Barlow ,&nbsp;Theo Ryan ,&nbsp;Muriel Pate ,&nbsp;Joan Peppard ,&nbsp;Damon Gaffney ,&nbsp;Niamh Dillon ,&nbsp;Frank Moriarty ,&nbsp;Michelle Flood","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100668","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100668","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>The COVID-19 pandemic prompted rapid implementation of public health interventions aimed at protecting population health. In Ireland, mass vaccination was integral to the national response. Pharmacists played key roles in the safe delivery of vaccines within centralised vaccination centres (CVCs), particularly medicines management and vaccine stewardship. This study aimed to explore pharmacists' motivations for taking on these roles, explore their experiences and identify how their learning may inform the future development of pharmacy practice and education in Ireland, with a view to strengthening preparedness for future public health emergencies.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A qualitative case study methodology design was employed, using semi-structured interviews for data collection. Fourteen pharmacists were recruited, with eleven included in the final analysis. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically.</div><div>Findings.</div><div>Three primary themes were developed from the data: (1) A Sense of Duty and Opportunity, (2) Navigating the Frontline: Challenges and Adaptation, and (3) Professional Growth and Future Directions. Pharmacists reported some challenges working in high-pressure, fast-changing, multidisciplinary environments. Their experiences highlighted the evolving scope of pharmacy practice and the unique contribution pharmacists can make within multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) in national-level public health responses.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Pharmacists' involvement in CVCs provided opportunities to develop and showcase their professional competencies in MDTs, notwithstanding challenges associated with the role. The findings also emphasise the importance of effective multidisciplinary teamwork and mutual respect among healthcare professionals. A continued focus on interprofessional learning and practice, alongside expansion and recognition of the pharmacists' roles, may enhance preparedness for future public health emergencies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article 100668"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145265320","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Community pharmacy resiliency during Covid-19 pandemic in Iran: A qualitative study","authors":"Zhivan Zomorodi ,&nbsp;Faezeh Valaei Sharif ,&nbsp;Najmeh Moradi ,&nbsp;Zahra Sharif","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100670","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100670","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted global healthcare systems. This qualitative study explores how community pharmacists in Iran demonstrated resilience during this disaster. Despite challenges like medication shortages, Personal Protective Equipment deficiencies, and staffing issues, pharmacists implemented innovative measures such as social distancing protocols, remote consultations, and home delivery services. Insights from this study inform strategies to enhance healthcare system preparedness for future public health preparedness.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study qualitatively explores experiences of Iranian pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on resilience, emergency management strategies, challenges faced and future emergency preparedness.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 pharmacists (14 men, 11 women; mean practice experience: 10–14 years) in Tehran and Alborz provinces. Data were analyzed thematically using MAXQDA and following Braun and Clarke's six-phase framework<em>.</em></div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Analysis of 1260 codes and 11 categories revealed that pharmacists faced operational challenges, including increased work load, psychological strain, financial constraints, and supply shortages. In response, they adapted creatively, employing strategies such as teleconsultations, public health education, inventory sharing, and strict safety protocols. However, participants consistently highlighted policy and systemic gaps, including insufficient governmental support and the limited integration of pharmacists into crisis management frameworks.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Community pharmacies played a critical role during the COVID-19 pandemic by adapting rapidly and expanding public health services. Strengthening telepharmacy infrastructure, supply chain policies, and integrating pharmacists into national preparedness frameworks is essential to improve healthcare system resilience in future healthcare emergencies<em>.</em></div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article 100670"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145319929","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Appropriateness of empiric antibiotic therapy for community-acquired pneumonia: A multicenter cross-sectional study","authors":"Deema Rahme ,&nbsp;Hania Nakkash Chmaisse ,&nbsp;Pascale Salameh","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100669","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100669","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains a major public health concern, with appropriate empiric antibiotic therapy critical to improving patient outcomes and combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Despite the availability of national guidelines, adherence among physicians in Lebanon was previously unclear.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To evaluate the appropriateness of empiric antibiotic prescribing for hospitalized CAP patients in Lebanon and identify factors associated with non-compliance with national guidelines.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A cross-sectional study was conducted in five Lebanese hospitals across various regions. Medical records of 380 adult CAP patients were reviewed. Empiric antibiotic regimens were evaluated for compliance with national CAP guidelines based on drug selection, dosage, route, and duration. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify predictors of inappropriate prescribing.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Only 38.9 % of patients received fully guideline-concordant empiric therapy. Inappropriate prescribing was significantly associated with physician rank (residents: aOR = 29.13, <em>p</em> = 0.001), geographic region (South Lebanon: aOR = 7.78, <em>p</em> = 0.028), and antibiotic class (β-lactam plus respiratory fluoroquinolones: aOR = 19.18, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001). Clinical factors such as systemic inflammatory response syndrome and elevated serum creatinine were also linked to inappropriate use.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Non-compliance with national CAP treatment guidelines is widespread in Lebanese hospitals and driven by physician experience, geographic disparities, and misalignment in antibiotic selection. Strengthening antimicrobial stewardship programs, regional training, and clinical decision support is essential to improve adherence and reduce AMR risk.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article 100669"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145265318","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of electronic prescribing on medication changes in users of multidose drug dispensing","authors":"Anette Vik Josendal ,&nbsp;Trine Strand Bergmo","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100667","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100667","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>To investigate the number and type of prescription modifications after introducing e-prescribing for multidose drug dispensing (MDD) users.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A longitudinal study using dispensing records from the main MDD supplier in Norway from June 2012 to August 2023. The study included 1522 MDD users with complete data from 24 weeks before and 24 weeks after the implementation. The main outcome measures were the number and type of prescription modifications.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In total, there was a 175 % increase in the frequency of prescription modifications, with 15.9 % of patients experiencing prescription alterations every two weeks, compared to 5.7 % before the intervention. Modifications were categorized into administrative and treatment changes. Administrative changes increased by 300 %, while treatment changes (including newly prescribed medications, discontinued medications, and dose adjustments) increased by 60 %. The proportion of patients with no prescription modifications throughout the 24 weeks decreased from 58.1 % to 26.2 % following the implementation of e-prescribing.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Transitioning to an e-prescribing system is associated with more frequent modifications to patients' prescriptions. More frequent treatment changes can potentially improve medication safety and accuracy of the medication lists, but the major increase in administrative changes can also increase the workload of involved health care personnel.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article 100667"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145265315","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}