Impact of pharmacist‐led education sessions on the knowledge and practice of calcium carbonate administration among Malaysian chronic kidney disease patients

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundCalcium carbonate (CaCO3) is the most used phosphate binder among chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients in Malaysian hospitals. Hence, it is crucial for patients to have adequate knowledge and practice of CaCO3 administration for effective phosphate‐lowering therapy. Patient education serves as a keystone in inducing positive changes in patients’ knowledge and practices.AimTo evaluate the impact of pharmacist‐led education sessions (PLES), an educational approach in improving patients’ knowledge and practices regarding CaCO3 administration.MethodA total of 57 CKD patients prescribed CaCO3 were enrolled in a prospective, cross‐sectional study at the nephrology unit of a public‐funded hospital in Penang, Malaysia. Their baseline knowledge and practices of CaCO3 administration were assessed using a validated questionnaire consisting of five questions in the knowledge and practice sections, respectively. A patient's total score of less than seven was considered unsatisfactory, and these patients were provided PLES by pharmacists experienced in kidney health. After an interval of 4 weeks, patients were reassessed with the same set of questions.ResultsThe median (interquartile range) knowledge and practice scores before PLES were 0 (0, 1) and 3 (3, 5), respectively, while the overall score was 4 (3, 5). A significant improvement was demonstrated after PLES in the knowledge score (3 (2, 4) (p < 0.001)), practice score (5 (5, 5) (p < 0.001)) and overall score (7 (6, 9) (p < 0.001)). All the questions assessing CKD patients’ knowledge and practices showed significant improvement after PLES.ConclusionPharmacist‐led education sessions have an impact on improving CKD patient's knowledge and practices regarding CaCO3 administration.