Health Pharmacists Research Articles

Understanding quality use of medicines in refugee communities in Australian primary care: a qualitative study.

Although refugee health issues are increasingly experienced in primary health care, few studies have explored the quality use of medicines in refugee communities even though access to and quality use of medicines is a key component of care delivery. To identify strategies to support the quality use of medicines in refugee communities. Qualitative study with primary healthcare providers and refugee health leaders in Brisbane, Australia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with refugee health leaders, pharmacists, practice nurses, and GPs. Data were recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis was used to identify key barriers and facilitators for the quality use of medicines. Five barriers, including communication and language barriers, limited health literacy and financial cost, and four facilitators, including better coordination between healthcare providers and improved healthcare provider training, were identified. This study provides a rich exploration relating to medication use and examines the engagement between pharmacists and refugees, highlighting some communication concerns. It recognises the supportive role of the practice nurse and offers practical strategies for improving community knowledge about safe medicines use. This preliminary study builds on previous studies investigating refugee health access and health literacy. It offers new understandings towards enhancing quality use of medicines in refugee communities and practical insights to assist the targeting of resources for future interventions.

Asthma management programs for primary care providers: increasing adherence to asthma guidelines.

This article reviews new approaches, facilitators, barriers, and opportunities to increasing guideline-adherent care for children with asthma by primary care clinicians. Primary care clinicians are challenged by the volume of guidelines and want transparent guidelines that are easy to use and that can be used in complex patients with multiple comorbidities. Programs that use decision support tools and electronic technologies and provide support from individuals new to the medical home such as panel management assistants, community health workers, patient advocates, practice facilitators, school nurses, and pharmacists may enhance use of guidelines by primary care clinicians and reduce asthma morbidity. Primary care clinician burnout and difficulty incorporating electronic asthma decision tools into current workflow are recently recognized barriers to guideline integration and improved asthma outcomes. In addition, many of these interventions are labor intensive, costly and may not be capable of being widely disseminated. Programs that simplify guidelines, provide decision support tools and use electronic technologies and an expanded medical team may improve the quality of asthma care provided by the primary care community to children and their families with asthma.

Attitude and satisfaction of health care providers towards clinical pharmacy services in Ethiopia: A post-deployment survey.

BackgroundClinical pharmacy service has evolved steadily over the past few decades and is contributing to the ‘patient care journey’ at all stages. The service improves safety and effectiveness of medicines, thereby avoiding medication errors. As part of this global shift in pharmacy education and practice, Ethiopian Universities revamped the undergraduate pharmacy curriculum and the first graduates came out in July 2013. These graduates were immediately deployed in public hospital settings, with the ultimate aim of providing clinical pharmacy services. As such an initiative is new to the Ethiopian pharmacy sector, there is a need to do assessment of the health care providers’ perception and satisfaction towards the service.MethodsA cross-sectional survey using self-administered questionnaire was conducted in six regions and one-city administration of the country. Physicians, Health officers and Nurses working along with the new pharmacy graduates formed the study population. A total of 650 healthcare professionals participated in the study. Data were entered, cleaned and analyzed using appropriate statistical tools.ResultsMajority of the health care providers agreed that clinical pharmacy service could have a significant contribution to the patient care. A large proportion of them (70–90 %) had a positive attitude, although there appeared to be some differences across professions. About 50 % of the professionals were of the opinion that patient care should be left to the health care providers and pharmacists should concentrate on drug products. In addition, the same proportion of respondents said that the setup in their respective hospital was appropriate for provision of clinical pharmacy service. Multivariable analysis indicated that attitude of the health care providers was significantly associated with year of experience.ConclusionsA large proportion of the health care providers had positive attitude towards the service, although the extent of the service was below their expectation. Hence, efforts should be in place to organize continuous professional training for pharmacists and awareness creation forums for other healthcare professionals.

Meeting the Needs of Underserved Patients in Western Kenya by Creating the Next Generation of Global Health Pharmacists

Objective. To describe a novel training model used to create a sustainable public health-focused pharmacy residency based in Kenya and to describe the outcomes of this training program on underserved populations. Design. The postgraduate year 2 residency was designed to expose trainees to the unique public health facets of inpatient, outpatient, and community-based care delivery in low and middle-income countries. Public health areas of focus included supply chain management, reproductive health, pediatrics, HIV, chronic disease management, and teaching. Assessment. The outcomes of the residency were assessed based on the number of new clinical programs developed by residents, articles and abstracts written by residents, and resident participation in grant writing. To date, six residents from the United States and eight Kenyan residents have completed the residency. Eleven sustainable patient care services have been implemented as a result of the residency program. Conclusion. This pharmacy residency training model developed accomplished pharmacists in public health pharmacy, with each residency class expanding funding and clinical programming, contributing to curriculum development, and creating jobs.

Psychometric properties of the Japanese version of the Recovery Attitudes Questionnaire (RAQ) among mental health providers: a questionnaire survey.

Background“Recovery” is a central concept in mental health, particularly for mental health services and policy-makers. The present study examined the factorial and concurrent validity, internal consistency reliability, and test–retest reliability of the Japanese version of the 7-item Recovery Attitudes Questionnaire (RAQ) among mental health service providers in community and inpatient settings in Japan.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire with a number of eligible professional groups, including psychiatrists, registered/assistant nurses, public health nurses, clinical psychologists, pharmacists, occupational therapists, and social workers. Participants were drawn from two psychiatric hospitals and 56 psychiatric clinics or community service agencies. In total, 331 participants completed the questionnaire. After excluding those with missing RAQ values, 307 participants were included in the analysis; the participants’ mean age was 40.2 years and 29.6 % were men. The questionnaire comprised the Japanese version of the 7-item RAQ developed by the present authors, the revised scale of the positive attitudes of staff toward persons with mental disorder (the positive attitudes scale), and the Japanese-language version of the Social Distance Scale (SDSJ). Confirmatory factor analyses were used to examine factorial validity of a two-factor structure reported in a previous study (Borkin et al., 2000) as well as a single-factor structure. Concurrent validity was determined by calculating correlations between RAQ and the other two scales. Internal consistency reliability was assessed with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients and inter-item correlations. Test–retest reliability was assessed by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), with a weighted kappa in a subsample of participants (n = 13).ResultsThe two-factor structure showed acceptable factorial validity. RAQ scores were significantly and positively correlated with the positive attitudes scale, and there was a significant inverse correlation with the SDSJ (p < 0.01). The RAQ had an overall Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.64. Four inter-item correlations were not significant. The ICC and weighted kappa values indicated unsatisfactory test–retest reliability.ConclusionThe Japanese RAQ showed acceptable factorial validity, reasonable concurrent validity, and unsatisfactory reliability in community and inpatient mental health settings in Japan. Further large-scale research is required to ensure robust verification.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12888-016-0740-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Adverse drug reactions reporting: a questionnaire-based study on Egyptian pharmacists' attitudes following an awareness workshop.

Hospital pharmacists can promote medication safety through spontaneous reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). However, different educational interventions and different factors (socio-demographic and professional) have been implicated to influence the reporting process. The aims of this study were to assess the impact of pharmacovigilance awareness workshop on knowledge of hospital pharmacists; and to identify the main factors and barriers that influence ADRs reporting. Two validated self-administered questionnaires were distributed to pharmacists attending an awareness workshop (pre and post); and a telephone survey was completed three months after the workshop. ADR reports (yellow cards) received from participating pharmacists were monitored for six months, and analysed for quality (validity and seriousness) and reporter demographic and professional factors. Two hundred and eighty-one pharmacists (95.25%) and 270 pharmacists (91.52%) completed pre- and post-workshop questionnaires respectively. A comparison of their knowledge of ADRs to report before and after the workshop showed significant difference (Wilcoxon test P < 0.05). Two hundred and four pharmacists (72.6%) completed the follow-up questionnaire, with lack of time, administrative barriers and inability to complete patient details being the most frequent reasons for not reporting. A total of 163 yellow cards were received from 49 pharmacists (17.44%) over 6 months, of which 126 reports (77.3%) were serious ADRs. Demographics of reporting pharmacists showed significance for completion of post-graduate studies, ministry of health hospitals and pharmacist post in hospital. Despite pharmacists' adequate knowledge after the workshop, they failed to maintain consistent reporting. Addressing the barriers to reporting and the personal factors influencing the process may be needed.

Team training: the future of continuing professional development?

IF you are ever unfortunate enough to require an operation in hospital there is an interesting exercise you can carry out by noting the number and diversity of people taking...

Pharmaceutical counseling: Between evidence-based medicine and profits.

The number of pharmacies, which produce drug formulations locally, has recently considerably reduced in Russia. Pharmacies mainly operate as retailers of industrially manufactured drugs.Pharmaceutical consultation of customers at pharmacies aimed at responsible self-medication is the most popular and accessible feature of pharmaceutical care. In Russia there is a significant list of medicines approved for sale in pharmacies on a non-prescription basis that is specified in the product label. In this regard, the role of pharmacists in public health in Russia increases. Pharmacist, working directly with population, is an important figure for the rational use of medicines. This type of work requires high level of professional training and appropriate ethics. To explore the current status of pharmaceutical counseling in Russia. Situation analysis, surveys of pharmacists. Our experience in the system of postgraduate professional education, the results of the survey of pharmacists, and the long-term dialogue with pharmacists allowed us to identify several unresolved issues in the work of a pharmacist selling non-prescription drugs.Lack of differentiation in the functions of a pharmacist with a higher education and pharmaceutical technologist: In production/industrial pharmacy technicians are engaged in manufacturing of pharmaceutical formulations. However, due to the loss of production functions technologists had to move away from production laboratories of apothecaries to the sales area. Currently, the apothecary's assignment to receive prescriptions and dispense medications can be fulfilled by either a pharmacist or a pharmaceutical technician. It significantly discerns the pharmacy from the medical organization with clearly delineated functions of doctors and nurses. Russian regulations should consider the level of education required for high-quality pharmaceutical counseling.Contradiction between the pharmacist's special functions and trade procedure with the lack of pharmaceutical counseling standards: Article 1.1 "Code of Ethics of the pharmaceutical worker of Russia" states: "The main task of the professional activity of the pharmaceutical worker - protection of human health", Article 1.3 states that a pharmaceutical worker must take professional decisions solely in the interests of a patient [1]. However, the pharmacy is a trade organization, thus as a retailer the pharmacy is directly interested in making profits and increasing sales of pharmaceutical products, including non-prescription medicines. Moreover, while the clinical medicine is monitored for unjustified prescribing and measures are being taken to prevent polypharmacy, for a pharmacist the growing sales of over-the-counter drugs, active promotion of dietary supplements, homeopathic medicines, medical devices, and, consequently, an increase of financial indicators (particularly "average purchase size") - all are characteristics of success [2].Rational use of over-the-counter medicines requires introduction of pharmaceutical counseling standards (pharmaceutical care) according to symptoms - major reasons to visit a pharmacy as part of responsible self-medication (cold, sore throat, headache, diarrhea, etc.). Standards of pharmaceutical counseling should be objective, reliable and up-to-date and contain recommendations for the rational use of over-the-counter drugs as well as indications requiring treatment to the doctor. Standardization of pharmaceutical counseling in terms of Evidence-based Pharmacy would enhance the efficiency, safety and cost-effectiveness of over-the-counter medicines.Currently, the lack of clinical component in the higher pharmaceutical education and the lack of approved standards of pharmaceutical counseling lead to the introduction of cross-selling technologies (which are broadly applied in other areas of trade, for example, the offer of a boot-polish during the sale of shoes) to the pharmaceutical practice [2, 3]. However, drugs belong to a special group of products, proper selection of which requires special education, and the consumer is not always able to evaluate the quality of the recommendations. Marketing cross-selling recommendations are aimed at promotion of the over-the-counter medicines for customers buying prescription drugs. For example, business coaches recommend the pharmacists to make additional offers: with the purchase of physician-prescribed antibiotics - offer of vitamins, with prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - commercially available ointment with non-steroidal topical formulation ("to enhance the effect") and others. These recommendations do not agree with evidence-based medicine and lead to inefficient use of over-the-counter drugs and unjustified financial expenses. Thus, to ensure the rational use of medicines permitted for free (non-prescription) dispensing at the pharmacies, pharmaceutical information needs standardization on the basis of evidence-based medicine as well as standardization of the pharmaceutical counseling service. The development of practical recommendations on the rational use of over-the counter medicines by doctors and pharmacists with further adoption at the state level, the recommendation of most secure, efficient and cost-effective over-the-counter medications during pharmaceutical counseling in pharmacies will contribute to the restoration and preservation of public health.

Provider Opinions Regarding Expanding Access to Hormonal Contraception in Pharmacies

PurposeExpanding access to hormonal contraception may reduce the barrier created with the current prescription requirement. The goal of this study was to gain a better understanding of health care providers' opinions on expanding access to hormonal contraception (oral pill, transdermal patch, vaginal ring, and injectable) and the role of pharmacists as direct providers of this reproductive health service. MethodsA voluntary, self-administered survey was distributed to participating national professional associations' physician and midlevel provider members who provide reproductive health services. Outcomes of providers' opinions on expanded access to hormonal contraception in pharmacies were analyzed by provider type (n = 482). FindingsAlmost three-quarters (74%) of the 482 providers surveyed, 76% of physicians and 70% of midlevels, were supportive of expanding access for the pill, patch, and ring contraceptives to include pharmacist-initiated access. Despite overall support for pharmacist-initiated access, more than 70% of respondents were concerned that expanded access would result in decreased reproductive health preventive screening. Slightly fewer providers supported or were neutral towards behind-the-counter (65% for pill/patch/ring, 55% injectable) and over-the-counter (47% for pill/patch/ring, 36% injectable) access than for pharmacist-initiated access. ConclusionsThe majority of reproductive health providers support pharmacist-initiated access to the pill, patch, ring, and injectable contraceptives. There is some support for behind-the-counter and over-the-counter access. Provider concerns about lower rates of reproductive health preventive screenings and pharmacist training issues would need to be appropriately addressed along with any policy changes.

Perspectives of clinical handover processes: a multi-site survey across different health professionals.

To examine the perspectives of health professionals of different disciplines about clinical handover. Ineffective handovers can cause major problems relating to the lack of delivery of appropriate care. A prospective, cross-sectional design was conducted using a survey about clinical handover practices. Health professionals employed in public metropolitan hospitals, public rural hospitals and community health centres were involved. The sample comprised doctors, nurses and allied health professionals, including physiotherapists, social workers, pharmacists, dieticians and midwives employed in Western Australia, New South Wales, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory. The survey sought information about health professionals' experiences about clinical handover; their perceived effectiveness of clinical handover; involvement of patients and family members; health professionals' ability to confirm understanding and to clarify clinical information; role modelling behaviour of health professionals; training needs; adverse events encountered and possibilities for improvements. In all, 707 health professionals participated (response rate = 14%). Represented professions were nursing (60%), medicine (22%) and allied health (18%). Many health professionals reported being aware of adverse events where they noticed poor handover was a significant cause. Differences existed between health professions in terms of how effectively they gave handover, perceived effectiveness of bedside handover vs. nonbedside handover, patient and family involvement in handover, respondents' confirmation of understanding handover from their perspective, their observation of senior health professionals giving feedback to junior health professionals, awareness of adverse events and severity of adverse events relating to poor handovers. Complex barriers impeded the conduct of effective handovers, including insufficient opportunities for training, lack of role modelling, and lack of confidence and understanding about handover processes. Greater focus should be placed on creating opportunities for senior health professionals to act as role models. Sophisticated approaches should be implemented in training and education.

Caring for People Behind the Numbers: Measurement and Accountability for Health.

We're rapidly approaching the post-2015 era. In September, members of the United Nations General Assembly will cast their votes on the long-anticipated Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At present, the proposed SDGs, which stand at 17 and are accompanied by 169 associated targets, are fueling the ubiquitous arguments for accurate, timely, and inclusive data. Global health constituencies are pushing for improved health worker and population health data. If proponents of the post-2015 Global Strategy on Human Resources for Health achieve their objectives,1 we can look forward to the entre of new, more accurate and frequent health workforce data and the addition of other essential health cadres: community health workers, dentists, health services managers, pharmacists, physical therapists, and public health professionals. On the population side, we hope for improved, descriptive population-based health data inclusive of those who are marginalized or living in remote rural locations as well as people who ...

Development of the My Medicines and Me (M3Q) side effect questionnaire for mental health patients: a qualitative study.

The objective of this study was to assess the acceptability, content validity and usability of the My Medicines and Me (M3Q) self-report side effect questionnaire. Eight focus groups consisting of mental health patients, carers, general practitioners, psychiatrists, mental health nurses and pharmacists were conducted, involving 78 participants. Two researchers independently examined the transcriptions and analysed the data thematically using an inductive method. The findings supported changes to the formatting, length and phrasing of questions in the original version of the questionnaire. Although the groups provided differing views on the usability of the M3Q in clinical practice, the patient and carer groups were unconditionally in favour of such a tool to be used systematically to describe patients' subjective experiences with side effects. The differing contribution made by all groups involved in the administration and completion of the M3Q assisted with content validity of the questionnaire. The acceptability and usability of this novel side effect questionnaire was also explored, with many participants agreeing it was a necessary tool for a patient centred approach to treatment. Following implementation of the changes to the current format of the questionnaire, investigation into the uptake and use in clinical practice should be carried out.

Coût de production hospitalier de la stimulation magnétique transcrânienne répétée (rTMS) dans le traitement de la dépression

BackgroundRepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is an effective and well-tolerated treatment in resistant depression with mild to moderate intensity. This indication has not yet been approved in France. The cost and medico-economic value of rTMS in psychiatry remains unknown. The aim of this preliminary study was to assess rTMS cost production analysis as an in-hospital treatment for depression. MethodsThe methodology, derived from analytical accounts, was validated by a multidisciplinary task force (clinicians, public health doctors, pharmacists, administrative officials and health economist). It was pragmatic, based on official and institutional documentary sources and from field practice. It included equipment, staff, and structure costs, to get an estimate as close to reality as possible. First, we estimated the production cost of rTMS session, based on our annual activity. We then estimated the cost of a cure, which includes 15 sessions. A sensitivity analysis was also performed. ResultsThe hospital production cost of a cure for treating depression was estimated at € 1932.94 (€ 503.55 for equipment, € 1082.75 for the staff, and € 346.65 for structural expenses). ConclusionThis cost-estimate has resulted from an innovative, pragmatic, and cooperative approach. It is slightly higher but more comprehensive than the costs estimated by the few international studies. However, it is limited due to structure-specific problems and activity. This work could be repeated in other circumstances in order to obtain a more general estimate, potentially helpful for determining an official price for the French health care system. Moreover, budgetary constraints and public health choices should be taken into consideration.

Home-based malaria management in children by women: Evidence from a malaria endemic community in sub-Saharan Africa

ObjectiveTo examine the medicines and dosage that mothers who engage in home-based malaria management administer to children aged ≤ 5 years having signs and symptoms associated with malaria and to discuss the possibilities of designing an effective home-based malaria management strategy. MethodsThe data were obtained from face-to-face semi-structured interviews conducted with mothers in the Ugbowo Community of Benin City, Nigeria who were selected using multi-stage systematic random sampling technique. The data were analyzed by qualitative content analysis, arithmetic mean, simple percentages and bar chart. ResultsApproximately 90% of the interviewees engaged in home-based malaria management and 10% patronized the hospital. Most of the interviewees who engaged in home-based malaria management administered medicines that stimulates the production of red blood cells and supplies vitamins to children having signs and symptoms of malaria, followed by painkillers and anti-malaria and cough medicine was the least. Of the anti-malaria medicines administered to children, almost 80% of the interviewees administered chloroquine to children, 15% quinine and 3% halfan. Approximately 60% of the interviewees had the correct knowledge of the dosage regime for chloroquine, 38% for quinine and 9% for halfan. ConclusionsAlthough home-based malaria management is important, it cannot serve as a substitute to the hospital. Some diseases have signs and symptoms that are similar to that of malaria which implies that administering anti-malaria medicines to a child without confirmatory tests might lead to irredeemable complications in that child. If the strategy is to make home-based malaria management effective and sustainable mothers, community health officials should be involved in designing the strategy. Simple rapid diagnostic test kits for malaria should be made available to community health officials and pharmacists so that confirmatory tests could be carried out before dispensing medicines.

Med Check

Back to table of contents Previous article Next article Clinical & Research NewsFull AccessMed CheckVabren WattsVabren WattsSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:3 Apr 2015https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.pn.2015.4a15EU Approves First Antidepressant With Cognition ClaimsPrevious studies have shown a range of cognitive symptoms—including difficulties in thinking and remembering new information—to be associated with major depression. In March, Brintellix (vortioxetine) became the first antidepressant approved in the European Union (EU) to improve cognitive symptoms in patients with depression.“We are delighted that Brintellix has received this positive opinion from the CHMP [Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use], particularly given the role cognitive deficits play in impacting treatment outcomes for many patients,” said Anders Gersel Pedersen, M.D., Ph.D., executive vice president and head of research and development at Lundbeck, manufacturer of Brintellix. The antidepressant’s claims of improving cognition were approved after the CHMP reviewed comprehensive data from an international clinical program composed of five studies assessing the safety and efficacy of Brintellix as well as the medicine’s effects on cognitive function and performance. These were assessed by various neuropsychological tests, such as the Digit Symbol Substitution Test, in patients with major depression. Brintellix became available in the United States, where it is copromoted by Takeda, more than a year ago and is gradually being introduced across the EU. FDA Launches Mobile App on Medication ShortagesInformation on drug shortages can now lie in the palm of your hand. Last month, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) launched its first mobile app specifically designed to increase public access to data on current shortages, resolved shortages, and discontinuations of drug products.“Health care professionals and pharmacists need real-time information about drug shortages to make treatment decisions,” said Valerie Jensen, R.Ph., associate director of the Drug Shortage Staff in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “The new mobile app is an innovative tool that will offer easier and faster access to important drug shortage information.”Users may be able to access information on medications based on therapeutic category, such as “psychiatry.” Current psychotropics on the shortage list are attention-deficit/hyperactivity medications dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride (Focalin) tablets and methylphenidate hydrochloride extended release capsules, the antipsychotic haloperidol lactate injection, and the antidepressant trimipramine maleate (surmontil) capsules.The app is available for free download via iTunes (for Apple devices) and the Google Play store (for Android devices) by searching “FDA Drug Shortages.”Company Halts Studies of Alzheimer’s Drug Development for the Alzheimer’s drug category BACE (beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1) inhibitors started with a grim first quarter of the fiscal year.Last month, Vitae Pharmaceuticals and Boehringer Ingelheim announced that they have put a hold on studies concerning their newly codeveloped BACE inhibitor BI 1181181 after observing skin rashes in patients enrolled in a phase 1 dose-ranging study. “Our partner is working diligently to evaluate and understand this observation,” said Vitae Chief Scientific Officer Richard Gregg, M.D. “Depending on the outcome of the evaluation, … we expect that either BI 1181181 or its structurally distinct phase-1-ready backup will be advanced with the goal of delivering a medicine with disease-modifying benefits to patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.”The setback is the latest in a series of missteps for BACE inhibitors, a highly sought-after therapy in the field of Alzheimer’s drug development. Eli Lilly’s BACE program was scrapped for off-target toxicity in studied individuals. Roche killed off its BACE program for unexplained reasons, and Astellas, without explanation, backed out of a $760 million deal with CoMentis on another early-stage BACE drug program. As for Vitea, Gregg stated that the company will remain committed to its partnership with Boehringer and the progression of the joint BACE program. ■ ISSUES NewArchived

G308(P) Parents think that ‘medicines for children’ reaches nice places:

Background Whilst only 20% of content discussed in a consultation is retained, it’s improved by giving additional written information. Patients are able to use written leaflets to consolidate their knowledge away from the stressful environment of a patient-doctor discussion. Such written information may increase treatment compliance and concordance. The ‘Medicines for Children’ website is designed to provide practical and reliable advice for families about giving medicine to their children. It has a variety of leaflets, videos and web-based information on over 200 children’s medications. It’s a partnership between the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, the Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacists Group and WellChild; a charity for parents and carers. Objective To evaluate the ‘Medicines for Children’ website and information sheets, against the NICE quality standard 15; Understanding Treatment Options and NICE Medicines adherence guideline 76; involving patients in decision about prescribed medicines. Methods A questionnaire was designed against the specific criteria set out in NICE quality standard 15 and clinical guideline 76. Questions focused on the layout, language and content of the leaflet, particularly information regarding the treatment risks and benefits. Data was collected from a convenience sample of parents attending children’s outpatient clinics. Qualitative feedback was also sought. Parents were asked to read the leaflet on ‘Beclametasone inhaler for asthma prophylaxis’ and answer the questionnaire as though their child were starting on this medication. Results 106 parents participated. 16 declined. Parents comments included: ‘clearly laid-out with simple sub-headings’, ‘written in a way that everyone can understand’. They suggested future developments should include: ‘pictures for adults with lower literacy levels’ and ‘having the leaflets in both English and Welsh.’ Conclusion Medicines for Children information leaflets fulfil NICE standards and provide high quality information about children’s medications which is highly valued by families.

Health literacy and pharmacists: The need is clear

Health literacy and pharmacists: The need is clear

Enhancing experiential education: Implementing and improving the journal club experience

Journal club has been recognized for years as an important learning tool for student pharmacists. Literature evaluation activities consistently prove to be one of the most challenging aspects of pharmacy education for students, residents, preceptors, and even seasoned pharmacists. As clinical pharmacy practice continues to expand through innovative new health care delivery models, pharmacists and students alike have expanded opportunities to learn new skills and information through the journal club process. For pharmacy preceptors, initiating and maintaining a regular and effective journal club can be a daunting addition to other job and precepting responsibilities. This article provides resources for implementing and improving journal club in the fast-paced pharmacy practice settings of today.

Health information-seeking behavior of seniors who use the Internet: a survey.

BackgroundThe Internet is viewed as an important source for health information and a medium for patient empowerment. However, little is known about how seniors use the Internet in relation to other sources for health information.ObjectiveThe aim was to determine which information resources seniors who use the Internet use and trust for health information, which sources are preferred, and which sources are used by seniors for different information needs.MethodsQuestions from published surveys were selected based on their relevance to the study objectives. The Autonomy Preference Index was used to assess information needs and preferences for involvement in health decisions. Invitation to participate in this online survey was sent to the email list of a local senior organization (298 addresses) in the Netherlands.ResultsThere were 118 respondents with a median age of 72 years (IQR 67-78 years). Health professionals, pharmacists, and the Internet were the most commonly used and trusted sources of health information. Leaflets, television, newspapers, and health magazines were also important sources. Respondents who reported higher use of the Internet also reported higher use of other sources (P<.001). Use of health professionals, pharmacists, leaflets, telephone, television, and radio were not significantly different; use of all other resources was significantly higher in frequent Internet users. When in need of health information, preferred sources were the Internet (46/105, 43.8%), other sources (eg, magazines 38/105, 36.2%), health professionals (18/105, 17.1%), and no information seeking (3/105, 2.8%). Of the 51/107 respondents who indicated that they had sought health information in the last 12 months, 43 sought it after an appointment, 23 were preparing for an appointment, and 20 were deciding if an appointment was needed. The source used varied by the type of information sought. The Internet was used most often for symptoms (27/42, 64%), prognosis (21/31, 68%), and treatment options (23/41, 62%), whereas health professionals were asked for additional information on medications (20/36, 56%), side effects (17/36, 47%), coping (17/31, 55%), practical care (12/14, 86%), and nutrition/exercise (18/30, 60%).ConclusionsFor these seniors who use the Internet, the Internet was a preferred source of health information. Seniors who report higher use of the Internet also report higher use of other information resources and were also the primary consumers of paper-based resources. Respondents most frequently searched for health information after an appointment rather than to prepare for an appointment. Resources used varied by health topic. Future research should seek to confirm these findings in a general elderly population, investigate how seniors seek and understand information on the Internet, and investigate how to reach seniors who prefer not to use the Internet for health information.

Role of Pharmacists in Health Based Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO): Prospects and Future Directions

In this era of globalization, there are many non-government organizations (NGO) that grow in the community. Nowadays, NGOs are becoming the medium for the community to voice out or be the one who lend their hand to help the community around them. In the health care profession, NGOs play an important role to help the people in the community to have a better health in the future. In order to move the state of health of the people in the community, NGOs should acknowledge the role of the pharmacist in their organizations. However, contribution of pharmacists in NGOs is essential because inappropriate assistance or incorrect assistance can lead to death of the consumers. In fact, pharmacists as experts in medicines, they will play important role in distribution the medications and educating the medicines consumers within NGOs. Pharmacists could help in relief efforts and they also help in humanitarian aid. Besides that, they could help in the equality in social and social justice for people in need. Although all these people in the NGOs are well educated but somehow, their knowledge alone does not suffice in helping the community towards a better health. There are still some NGOs that tend to ignore the role of the pharmacist in their organization. As they tend to ignore the existence of the pharmacist, the drug that they had distributed to the community will have higher chance of producing an adverse effect towards the consumer. In this essay, the roles of pharmacist in many sectors of the NGOs will be discussed further to open the eyes of the people in the NGOs about how important and useful pharmacists could be in their organization.