Attitudes Of Pharmacy Students Research Articles

PHARMACY STUDENTS' KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES ABOUT PROBIOTICS

Objective: Probiotics are an important and fast-growing functional food group. Pharmacy students, as pharmacists of the future, need to have sufficient knowledge on this subject. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate pharmacy students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices about probiotics. Material and Method: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted among students of Suleyman Demirel University Faculty of Pharmacy in Türkiye between 9 October and 30 October 2023. The paper-based questionnaires consisted of 23 questions and were administered for approximately 10-15 minutes. Result and Discussion: The questionnaires were answered by 347 (74.7%) students. The mean±SD of the knowledge score was 5.14±1.53. The majority of respondents (79%) correctly identified probiotics. Approximately half of the participants knew the type of bacteria used in probiotic production The mean±SD of the attitude score was 11.13±1.44. Most respondents (91.9%) believed that probiotic consumption was beneficial for health. The mean±SD of the practice score was 3.72±2.77. 45.2% of respondents stated that they had used probiotic supplements before and 31.1% stated that they had sought additional information about probiotics from various sources. 40.6% of the respondents stated that they recommend probiotics to their family/close relatives. This study showed that although the attitudes of pharmacy students were acceptable, they had some knowledge deficiencies and their practices were poor. To increase the knowledge and practices of pharmacy students about probiotics, this subject should be given more space in undergraduate education and relevant scientific events should be organized.

Pharmacy Students’ perceptions on distance learning: A case of COVID-19

Online distance learning systems gained importance during school closures all over the world after the COVID-19 outbreak. Pharmacy schools in Türkiye were also affected by these changes and educational activities which shifted to online distance education. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the attitudes of pharmacy students concerning distance education during the pandemic regarding their gender, infrastructural issues, having separate rooms, their classes, residency areas and the number of theoretical and applied courses. We conducted a cross-sectional survey. Thus, a total of 380 pharmacy students participated from pharmacy schools in Türkiye. The perceptions of pharmacy students were compared as per their demographical and educational status. Except gender variable, no significant difference was found among the students. Switching to online distance education formed as a response to the crisis in the pandemic. Although student perceptions from different disciplines have been examined in the existing literature, pharmacy students' perceptions remained limited. Hence, it is important to understand and point out the students' perceptions related to online distance education in pharmacy schools to be prepared for future emergencies.

Evaluating attitudes of pharmacy students toward pharmaceutical side effect pictograms: Ankara sample

Pictograms are graphic symbols that facilitate international communications and express objects and the meaning of these objects. Using pictograms in health is essential to informing patients, especially in cases such as illiteracy, language problems, and multiple drugs. Pharmaceutical pictograms are thought to be helpful not only for pharmacists but also for patients. In this regard, in this study, pharmacy faculty students’ attitudes towards side effect pictograms are evaluated via the “Drug side effect pictogram attitude scale.” As a result of exploratory factor analysis, a one-dimensional structure was obtained in parallel with the original scale with 0.906 Cronbach’s alpha value. The mean values of the items in the scale were found above 3.70, which shows that students have positive attitudes toward side effect pictograms. As a result, it is thought that pharmaceutical pictograms should be included more in pharmacy education to transform the positive attitudes of pharmacy faculty students towards pictograms into the behavior of using pictograms in patient counseling.

The Effect of Inquiry-Based Learning on Pharmacist Students

One of the influential factors in shaping professional health workers is the learning process during education. The professional attitude of pharmacy students can be modified with innovative learning methods. Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL) emphasizes students' involvement in systematically, critically, and logically gathering information so that they can formulate their findings. This study aims to determine the effect of IBL on pharmacist professional study program education students taking Pharmacy Communication and Health Promotion courses. This study employed quasi-experimental research with a group Pretest-Posttest Design. The study subjects were 40 students of the Pharmacist Professional Education Study Program. The students got learning interventions with IBL method. IBL stages consist of IBL orientation, problem formulation, hypothesis formulation, data collection, hypothesis testing, conclusion formulation, and learning evaluation. Assessment instrumentation included pretests, posttests, reports, and student satisfaction questionnaires. Pretest and posttest data were statistically analyzed with SPSS. The implementation of IBL resulted in an increase in mean scores from 59.82 on the pretest to 92.83 on the posttest. There is a statistically significant difference between these results (Asymp. Sig 0.000). The proportion of student reports rated as excellent 70%, good 20%, and sufficient 5%. Student satisfaction with the learning method reached an average of 93.94%. Inquiry-based learning increases the knowledge of Pharmacist Professional Education Study Program students in the Pharmacy Communication and Health Promotion courses.

Knowledge and attitudes of pharmacy students towards artificial intelligence and the ChatGPT

Background: This study examined pharmacy students' knowledge and attitudes to artificial intelligence (AI) and ChatGPT. Methods: A survey was conducted with 258 fourth-year pharmacy students at Kitasato University, Japan, assessing their AI knowledge, ChatGPT impressions, and literacy regarding its appropriate use. Data were analysed descriptively, and participants were divided into two groups based on ChatGPT awareness for further analysis. Results: A total of 113 students (43.7%) participated, with 19.5% having prior ChatGPT experience, 4.4% were unaware, and 42.5% could describe it. General AI terms like "machine learning" were more familiar (83.2%) than specific ones like "natural language processing" (2.6%). Positive impressions of ChatGPT included 65.5% finding it efficient and 50.4% mentioning enhanced comprehension. However, only 3.5% correctly identified all inappropriate purposes, and 24.8% selected all precautions for its use. The 48 participants (42.5%) who described ChatGPT and had higher AI knowledge showed more correct answers than the other group (65 participants, 57.5%). Conclusion: Students with AI knowledge and the ability to describe ChatGPT demonstrated a better understanding of its appropriate usage. Educating students on AI fundamentals helps them utilise AI tools like ChatGPT effectively. This study offers valuable insights on ChatGPT among pharmacy students, with implications for responsible AI usage and education.

Pharmacy student attitudes to mental illness and the provision of mental health care: a repeated cross-sectional survey.

Attitudes to mental illness are an important factor in the willingness of professionals to engage in mental health care. The aim of this study was to understand attitudes of undergraduate pharmacy students in Ireland to severe mental illness and the provision of medicines optimisation services as well as the variation in these attitudes throughout the undergraduate course. A survey instrument was compiled using existing published research and validated questionnaires. The survey was distributed to students in their first, third and Master of Pharmacy years annually between 2014 and 2019. Although designed as a longitudinal study, following the matching process there were a limited number of students who completed more than one survey and therefore data were treated as independent samples. The overall average response rate was 25% per survey (n = 191 participants) Notwithstanding generally positive attitudes, a sizeable proportion of students felt people with severe depression and schizophrenia were hard to talk to (n = 48, 25.3%; n = 54, 29.2%) Less than half of MPharm students expressed confidence and competence in caring for people with more severe mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia and 29% (n = 60) of students would feel awkward asking someone about their antipsychotic medication. Almost two thirds (n = 120, 63.8%) expressed an interest in a career in mental health. Irish pharmacy students have generally positive attitudes towards people with severe mental illness and provision of medicines optimisation services. There is an opportunity to improve pharmacy graduates perceived competence and confidence to provide mental health services.

Exploring experiences of pharmacists and pharmacy students using mHealth apps: A qualitative study of user experience

ABSTRACT Purpose Pharmacists can enhance mHealth delivery by promoting the awareness and use of health apps, while pharmacy students and early career pharmacists allow broader perspective for further development. This study aimed to explore the experiences and attitudes of pharmacy students and pharmacists, on the use, advantages and possible improvement of available mHealth platforms in Serbia. Methods One-on-one interviews were conducted online in two phases, during March and April 2020 (n = 40) and during March 2021 (n = 20), using a published, validated interview guide which was adapted for this study. Interviews were transcribed ad verbatim, coded and thematically analysed. Results Although participants recognized room for optimization, most apps had satisfactory user experience. Participants used health apps as a source of updated information and tools in education and work, but also for self-development. During working hours, participants mostly used medication-related apps, however, it was shown that they use different health apps in order to provide the best possible care to patients. Conclusions Greater insight into usage, expectations, benefits and challenges of mHealth in pharmacy was obtained and can lead into better informed design of health apps to encourage students and pharmacists, both as professionals and individuals, on the path of their continuous improvement.

Assessing the Knowledge and Attitude of Pharmacy Students Regarding Human Resource Management

Assessing the Knowledge and Attitude of Pharmacy Students Regarding Human Resource Management

Attitudes of undergraduate pharmacy students toward inter-professional collaboration: Analysis of survey in a Nigerian University

The focus of pharmacy education has shifted from product based training to patient care which require Pharmacists to practice in multidisciplinary settings with members of other healthcare professionals. The development of interprofessional collaborative attitudes towards teamwork is known to occur well before graduation. Attitudes of pharmacists towards physicians and other healthcare professionals have influence on quality of future collaboration in patient care decisions. There is evidence to suggest that developing right attitudes during training can enhance collaboration during post-graduation team work in patient care decisions. The objective of this study is to evaluate students’ attitudes towards collaboration with physicians when carrying out pharmaceutical care services. This was a cross sectional survey study among fourth and fifth year pharmacy students. The sixteen item “scale of attitudes towards physician and pharmacist collaboration” [SATP2C] questionnaire was used to explore their attitudes. The four item Likert scale instrument was self-administered and respondents were asked to tick the option that best reflect their attitude (1=strongly agree, 2-agree, 3-disagree, 4-strongly disagree). Analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistics (Students t test) and P value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Attitudes of pharmacy students towards physician collaboration was generally high, a result that was not affected by gender and year of study. Pharmacy student’s positive collaborative attitudes with physician holds better promise for integration into clinical teamwork for improved outcomes for patients after qualification. The positive attitude among pharmacy students towards collaboration with physicians should be emphasized during training to adequately prepare them for post qualification teamwork.

Smoking cessation service in the pharmacy setting: Attitudes of pharmacy students, pharmacists and the general public

Smoking cessation service in the pharmacy setting: Attitudes of pharmacy students, pharmacists and the general public

Exploring the Attitudes of Pharmacy Students in Saudi Arabia towards Plagiarism Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Study.

The objective of this study was to explore the attitudes towards plagiarism among pharmacy students in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted on pharmacy students at King Saud University in Riyadh to assess their attitudes towards plagiarism. The questionnaire consists of 27 items on a 5-point Likert scale (strongly disagree, disagree, neutral, agree, and strongly agree) that assess three attitudes about plagiarism (positive and negative attitudes, as well as subjective norms). A total of 415 pharmacy students took part in this research. Among the whole sample, 55.7% were male, and 44.3% were female. The findings demonstrated a moderately positive attitude towards plagiarism (30 ± 6) and subjective standards (29 ± 7) as well as a moderate negative attitude (22 ± 5). About 26.5% of students did not believe that they worked in a plagiarism-free workplace, and 45.3% of students believed that self-plagiarism should not be punished in the same way as plagiarism. The overall attitudes of pharmacy students were positive. Training in medical writing and research ethics in the undergraduate and graduate pharmacy curricula is mandatory.

Reducing health provider stereotypes through undergraduate interprofessional education

ObjectiveStereotypes among health professionals can jeopardize the delivery of collaborative healthcare and the achievement of positive patient outcomes. However, interprofessional education (IPE) can promote early clarification of roles, and understanding and mutual respect among trainees from different health disciplines. We studied the effects of IPE activities on the views and attitudes of pharmacy students toward nurse- and physician-trainees. MethodsPharmacy students completed a structured written reflection exercise immediately following two separate IPE activities with nursing and medical students, both oriented around diabetes care. We conducted an inductive content analysis of these texts to identify key themes according to the domains of the contact hypothesis theoretical framework: organizational authority, common goals, intergroup cooperation, equal group status and intergroup status. Pharmacy students were also asked how these IPE activities have influenced their views regarding their future pharmacy practice. ResultsPharmacy students felt that their groups had cooperated to solve the common patient care goals in each IPE activity, and noted no distinction between the nursing and medical students. However, through either explicit or implicit negotiation of overlapping roles, many pharmacy students ultimately assumed deferential positions relative to medical students. Overall, pharmacy students' attitudes and views regarding the abilities and roles of nursing and medical students in patient care were favorably altered through the IPE activities. Notably, nurses' drug knowledge and diagnostic abilities of nurses and physicians’ familiarity with the primary literature and prescribing regimens was previously under-rated but became recognized after IPE activities. ConclusionPharmacy students’ stereotypical views towards nursing and medical students were positively shifted when IPE activity conditions were optimized for intergroup contact.

Promoting Cessation and a Tobacco Free Future: Knowledge and Attitude of Pharmacy Students Regarding Smoking Cessation in a Nigerian University

Tobacco smoking is a global public health threat and the largest single driver of health inequalities. Currently, there are over a billion smokers worldwide with approximately 80% of the smokers living in low-and-middle-income countries like Nigeria. Knowledge gaps on smoking cessation among pharmacy students might impact the quality of service these future pharmacists would provide in practice. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and attitude of pharmacy students regarding smoking cessation in a Nigerian university. A University-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 277 pharmacy students of a Nigerian university using a pretested self-administered questionnaire between August and December 2019. Data were summarised descriptively using IBM SPSS (version 23). Most of the pharmacy students 203 (73.2%) agreed it is the pharmacists’ responsibility to support patients with smoking cessation. The majority of our respondents 226 (81.6%) reported pharmacy students need more training on smoking cessation. Thirty-three (11.9%) pharmacy students knew nicotine does not cause cancer. Less than one-tenth 27 (9.7%) of the pharmacy students were aware of smoking cessation products. Overall, 203 (73.2%) respondents had poor knowledge (score < 60%) and an average positive attitude about smoking cessation. Pharmacy students have suboptimal knowledge about smoking cessation. However, they revealed a positive attitude towards smoking cessation. Therefore, there is a need for educational interventions to address the deficit in smoking cessation knowledge, as well as equip future healthcare providers. Thus, improving the quality of public health especially among smokers in Nigeria.

Pharmacy student attitudes towards a career in older adult care

IntroductionThe United States (US) health care workforce is significantly unprepared to meet the needs of the growing older adult population. The primary purpose of this study is to examine the reasons that current pharmacy students are interested or not interested in pursuing a career or postgraduate training in geriatrics and to evaluate factors that influence this choice. MethodsThis is a qualitative study utilizing focus groups of pharmacy students from the doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) curriculum of one public school of pharmacy in the US. Student pharmacists were invited to participate in the focus groups, and focused interviews were conducted by two postgraduate year two geriatric residents. Each discussion was audio recorded and subsequently transcribed, extracting key factors through open thematic coding. ResultsFocus group participants (n = 8) most commonly identified job security, relationship value add, and past positive experiences with older adults as encouraging factors promoting interest, and inadequate geriatric exposure, emotional impact of death and dying, and heightened professional liability as discouraging factors deterring interest in a career in geriatrics. ConclusionsEnhancing early exposure to geriatric patients and pharmacists, emphasizing common geriatric considerations in the PharmD curriculum, and increasing specialized older adult and end of life content could encourage more student pharmacists to seek careers in geriatrics.

Prevalence of Smoking and Beliefs and Attitude Toward Smoking Habit and Smoking Cessation Methods Among Pharmacy Students: A Cross-Sectional Study in Saudi Arabia.

ObjectiveThe impact of pharmaceutical services on public health especially in regards to smoking cessation counseling can influence the rate of smoking cessation. The present study aims to evaluate prevalence, beliefs, and attitude of pharmacy students toward smoking habit and SC methods.MethodsAn online cross-sectional survey was conducted among pharmacy students at King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia over 4-month period from May to August 2021. The survey consisted of 22-items focused on evaluating the prevalence, belief, and attitude toward smoking habits and smoking cessation methods. Data was descriptively analyzed using a statistical package for social science version 26 (SPSS).ResultsA total of 675 students completed the survey, among which 78.7 % were non-smokers and only 31.7% received education on the dangers of smoking. The most common methods of smoking cessation they heard of were consultation (58.6%), followed by use of electronic cigarettes (41.92 %) and Nicotine patch (40.7%). One-third of the surveyed students (36.8 %) agreed that specialized smoking cessation clinics enhance the efficacy of smoking cessation methods. The majority of students (80.6%) agreed to ban smoking in public places and 92.2% believed that tobacco sales to adolescents should be forbidden. Health professionals should actively participate and advise their patients to quit smoking as 89.8 % students agreed on that. Age and gender of students had significantly influenced the prevalence of smoking, history of smoking, frequency of smoking, efforts to quit smoking among smokers (p = 0.0001).ConclusionThe prevalence of non-smokers among pharmacy students is encouraging, yet level of awareness about and usefulness of smoking cessation methods is unsatisfactory. Therefore, the study clearly highlights a great need for integrating smoking cessation programs in their academic curricula to prepare them for real-world practice.

Pharmacy students’ attitude towards opioid epidemic and overdose management

Introduction: Several states provide pharmacists the authority to dispense and counsel on naloxone, but most pharmacy schools provide little to no training in opioid management for students as a part of their curriculum. The aim of this study was to assess the attitude of pharmacy students towards the opioid epidemic and overdose management. Material and Methods: The study was conducted among pharmacy students enrolled at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFUMS). An anonymous Qualtrics® survey accompanied by an informed consent was distributed to students at RFUMS. Results and Discussion: A total of 162 out of 200 students (81%) enrolled in the College of Pharmacy completed the survey. Students’ attitudes varied by demographics. The majority of students were not prepared to manage opioid overdose situatio­ns and administer opioid antidotes, such as naloxone. Conclusions: Overall, the findings of the study indicate that pharmacy students are willing to receive additional education to improve preparedness in managing opioid abuse situations. Hands-on training for opioid abuse management will provide pharmacy students the necessary knowledge and tools to help patients. Pharmacy schools nationwide should incorporate opioid abuse management as a part of their didactic curriculum.

Knowledge and Attitude of Pharmacy Students Regarding Geriatric Care: Questionnaire-Based Analysis in Malaysia.

IntroductionThere is a predicted growth of up to 17% in an older adult of Malaysian above 60 years of age by 2040. This will increase the workload of almost every healthcare provider to ensure optimal geriatric care.PurposeThis study aimed to assess pharmacy students’ knowledge and attitudes towards geriatric pharmacy education and older patients to determine their preparation in delivering appropriate medical care to the geriatric population.MethodsSelf-administered questionnaires were distributed among pharmacy students in different Malaysian universities. The survey included several sections to assess multiple aspects such as sociodemographic information, assessment of knowledge using a validated 28-item Geriatric Knowledge Assessment Scale (GKAS), and attitudes towards geriatrics education.ResultsThe response rate was around 70% of the respondents. The mean (± standard deviation) age of the cohort was 22.28 (±1.12) years. Despite around 78% of pharmacy students claiming that their knowledge of geriatric care is adequate, their GKAS score showed that only around 20% have high geriatric knowledge. Around 80% of them showed a positive attitude on the importance of taking courses focused on geriatric care and demonstrated interest to further knowledge and training in geriatric care. However, more than half of the students were uncertain of their answers towards their attitudes regarding older patients.ConclusionGiven the growing role of pharmacists in the ageing population, this study highlights the importance of geriatric care education among potential pharmacists. Therefore, we urge the need to improve/develop geriatrics education and training into the pharmacy curriculum to ensure sufficient preparation for actual practice after graduation.

Pharmacy students' perceptions of the effectiveness of a film-based mental health elective course

IntroductionStigmatizing attitudes of pharmacists can contribute to poor outcomes in individuals with mental illness. Direct contact with patients during pharmacy experiential education helps establish positive attitudes toward people with mental illness yet may not be available to all students. The use of film in pharmacy education has the potential to facilitate learning and improve attitudes. MethodsWe evaluated students' perceptions regarding the impact of an elective course for pharmacy students which incorporated feature films about mental illnesses. Students completed surveys addressing their perceptions of each film's role in facilitation of learning, attitudes about mental illness, and comfort level for interacting with patients with mental illness. ResultsA total of 125 students completed a course featuring 17 films over the four-year study period. The films with the highest weighted positive rankings were Temple Grandin, Helen, As Good As It Gets, Born on the Fourth of July, Iris, A Beautiful Mind, and Silver Linings Playbook. Less favored films included One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Prozac Nation, and My Own Private Idaho. ConclusionsDirect contact with patients may best prepare future pharmacists to serve the needs of people with mental illness. This study suggests that students perceive feature films used in an elective course may have a positive impact on facilitating learning and improving attitudes of pharmacy students toward individuals with mental illness. Further well-designed studies are warranted, including in other health professions students, to substantiate and define the role of film as a tool to teach and address stigma.

Transgender health education for pharmacy students and its effect on student knowledge and attitudes

Background and purposeIncreased student pharmacist education on health issues and concerns of the underserved Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) population is needed. We incorporated pharmacy-specific, transgender-focused education into the curriculum and sought to identify whether pharmacy students' knowledge and attitudes towards LGBTQ individuals were affected by: (1) required online module or in-class lecture and (2) student demographics.Educational activity and setting: Pharmacy student attitudes and perceptions towards transgender individuals and the LGBTQ population were assessed before and after online (video) and in-person education using a modification of the Attitudes towards Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Patients Scale. Wilcoxon test for non-parametric paired data was used to test for statistically significant changes between the pre- and post-education surveys, while two-way analysis of variance was used to analyze correlations between student demographics and responses. FindingsChanges in students' knowledge and attitudes were observed after exposure to either online or in-person education. Increases in students' perceived competence to provide care to patients identifying as LGBTQ were associated with both teaching methods. Significant demographic associations were seen with specific attitudes; female students and students who knew a transgender person were more likely to strongly disagree that discussing sexual behavior with LGBTQ patients is challenging. SummaryDelivery of transgender-focused education produced observable changes in student pharmacist perceptions and attitudes towards working with the LGBTQ patient population. Demographic characteristics, such as being female or knowing a transgender individual, positively correlated with student pharmacists' feeling more comfortable discussing sexual behavior with LGBTQ persons.

Knowledge and Attitude of Pharmacy Students toward People with Mental Illnesses and Help-Seeking: A Cross-Sectional Study from Saudi Arabia

People with mental illnesses (MIs) face several challenges in addition to their disease. People’s negative views of those with MIs impact patients’ decisions to seek professional help. The aims of this study were to assess pharmacy students’ attitudes toward people with MIs and seeking help for mental health, as well as their knowledge about the causes of MIs. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on pharmacy students at Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia. Out of the 460 distributed questionnaires, 330 complete questionnaires were received, giving a response rate of 71.7%. Overall, the mean total score for attitude towards people with MIs was 60.16 ± 10.48 (maximum attainable score: 105). In this study, 51.12% believed that people with MIs are more likely to harm others than a person without MIs and 66.9% mentioned that they did not trust the work of a mentally ill person as part of their work team. However, only 35.45% believed that it is difficult for mentally ill individuals to follow social rules. In terms of attitudes toward help-seeking, the mean total score of was 12.83 ± 3.16 out of the maximum score of 25. In addition, the mean total score for knowledge about causes of mental illness was 2.92 ± 1.76 out of the maximum score of 8. The participants reported that MIs could be due to genetic inheritance (56%), substance abuse (54.5%), or brain disease (66.1%). The findings showed that there are some negative attitudes toward people with MIs and negative attitudes towards seeking help for mental health. In addition, some misconceptions about the causes of MIs are prevalent. Consequently, the incorporation of more topics concerning mental health in pharmacy curricula could help improve the awareness of and knowledge about mental health.