Descriptive Study Of Practices Research Articles

Community pharmacy cognitive services during the COVID-19 pandemic: A descriptive study of practices, precautions taken, perceived enablers and barriers and burnout.

ObjectiveThe objectives of this study were to identify community pharmacist (CP)‐led cognitive services and CPs’ precautions taken related to COVID‐19, perceived enablers and barriers related to pharmaceutical services and burnout levels during the COVID‐19 pandemic.MethodIn this descriptive study, the survey was administered online to CPs in all regions of Turkey. The frequency of their provision of patient counselling, provision of medication information and practices towards precautions during the pandemic were evaluated based on CP self‐reports. The Turkish version of the Burnout Measure Short Form was used, and a 30‐item questionnaire based on the 12‐domain Theoretical Domains Framework was developed to determine CPs’ perceived enablers of and barriers to pharmaceutical service delivery during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Data were collected using convenience sampling methods. Besides internal consistency reliability, principal component analysis, and correlation analysis, Mann‐Whitney U‐test was conducted in group comparisons.ResultsA total of 1098 complete responses were received, for a response rate of 4.11% among 26 747 CPs. The CPs’ median burnout score was 3.3 (2.5‐4.2). More than half of the CPs (54.5%) referred probable patients with COVID‐19 to the hospital. Commonly delivered cognitive CP‐led services included preventive health services (89.5%) and medication information services (86.3%). Perceived barriers to delivering pharmaceutical services were a lack of environmental resources and support and a lack of innovation in pharmaceutical services. Perceived enablers were CPs’ knowledge, skills, self‐confidence, actions, impacts, emotions and perceived behavioural control.ConclusionTo increase the preparedness of pharmacists for future pandemics or disasters, this study highlighted CP‐led cognitive services, precautions taken related to COVID‐19, perceived enablers and barriers and burnout during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Pharmaceutical services guidelines that could be followed during a pandemic or other disaster should be designed by addressing these findings.

Intervention and remediation: A descriptive study of practices in pharmacy education

IntroductionThis descriptive survey study was designed to collect specific data about intervention and remediation approaches used by schools and colleges of pharmacy (S/COPs) to meet the requirements of the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education Standard 17. MethodsAn electronic survey was developed and sent to all members of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Curriculum and Student Services Personnel Special Interest Groups. The survey gathered details about institutional criteria and practices used in identification of students at risk of failure, steps of early intervention, and approaches to academic remediation. Descriptive data are presented. ResultsAbout 70% of accredited S/COPs responded with a complete survey. There was no statistically significant difference between public or private institutional practices. All respondents reported remediation approaches, but only 85% had structured intervention practices. There was marked variability in reports of specific details for both intervention and remediation. ConclusionsThere is great diversity in approaches to both intervention and remediation. This study provides baseline data on which to build future research that might determine best practices to optimize student outcomes. A theoretical framework is provided.