Training Of Pharmacists Research Articles

A survey of pharmacists in integrated care: Benefits, barriers, and facilitators of integration.

While models for pharmacist integration within primary care exist, less is known about their integration into primary care practices with already-embedded behavioral health. An exploratory survey was conducted to characterize examples of pharmacist integration into primary care systems providing dual behavioral and medical care. An electronic survey distributed through email listservs of four national organizations assessed pharmacists' background, training, practice setting and roles, and benefits and challenges of integration. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. A chi-square test was used to evaluate relationships between degree of integration and barriers. The survey was completed by 119 pharmacists in primary care practices with integrated behavioral health. Pharmacists reported performing a variety of roles impacting quality of care, access to care, provider and patient satisfaction, and, to a lesser extent, care costs. Barriers to integration were common, including cost, underutilization, lack of role clarity for pharmacists, and space constraints. Mode of communication and workspace location were associated with pharmacist utilization and role clarity. Pharmacists in primary care practices with integrated behavioral health reported improving care quality and access and supporting patient and provider satisfaction. Future work should survey others to confirm pharmacist self-perceptions. While fiscal justification of pharmacists on integrated teams remains challenging, utilizing shared workspace and creating mechanisms for in-person communication facilitate integration efforts by mitigating other barriers such as underutilization and lack of role clarity. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Barriers and facilitators for the implementation of the CombiConsultation by general practitioners, pharmacists and practice nurses: a qualitative interview study

BackgroundThe CombiConsultation is a consultation with the pharmacist for patients with a chronic condition, aligned with the periodic consultation with the practice nurse or general practitioner. Implementation requires adjustments in the working methods of these healthcare providers and therefore behavioural changes.AimThe aim of this study was to identify the barriers and facilitators that determine the behavioural changes by pharmacists, general practitioners and practice nurses required for the implementation of the CombiConsultation.MethodTen community pharmacists, 5 practice nurses and 5 general practitioners were sampled from practices enrolled in the CombiConsultation study. Their views regarding the implementation of this clinical pharmacy service were explored using interviews based on the 14 domains of the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), which are linked to the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation-Behaviour-model. Barriers and facilitators in the domains were assessed by content analysis.ResultsTwelve barriers and 23 facilitators were found within 13 TDF domains with high agreement between the healthcare providers. Important facilitators for implementation were the pharmacists’ expertise in pharmacotherapy (capability), access to medical data and physical proximity between professional practices (opportunity). Barriers were pharmacists’ insufficient consultation- and clinical-reasoning skills (capability), insufficient staff (opportunity) and reimbursement and lack of coordination among all involved healthcare providers (motivation).ConclusionAll healthcare providers are motivated to implement the CombiConsultation. An existing collaborative practice, with a clear and accepted professional role of the pharmacist is essential. Training of pharmacists in consultation and clinical-reasoning skills can be beneficial, as well as arrangements on the consultation logistics, and reimbursement.

Implementing a randomised controlled trial through community pharmacies to support people living with severe and persistent mental illness: Lessons learnt during the COVID-19 pandemic

Public health orders were introduced in many countries, including Australia, during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce the spread of the virus. However, for many people this led to an exacerbation of mental health symptoms, particularly those living with severe or persistent mental illness (SPMI). Additionally, the conduct of clinical research was severely impacted during the pandemic, with many difficulties encountered in the conduct of clinical trials. This paper describes the COVID-related impacts experienced during the implementation of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) testing the effectiveness of a community pharmacist-led support service for people living with SPMI in Australia (the PharMIbridge RCT), and the strategies used to successfully implement the RCT. Australian public health orders led to interstate border closures, stay-at-home orders and work-from-home requirements, resulting in necessary changes to allow for the continuation of the RCT including; changes to trial regions, transferring some training materials online while delaying face-to-face (F2F) training components, delays in pharmacy and consumer recruitment, encouraging telehealth service delivery and extensions to timelines with existing funding. Having a solution-focussed and flexible approach, while still ensuring critical trial protocol elements were adhered to, such as providing opportunities for F2F skills-based training for pharmacists, as well as F2F site visits from researchers and mentors to support trial implementation, resulted in high pharmacy and consumer participant retention through to trial conclusion. Future planning for RCTs should consider possible pandemic-related risks and rapid responses from approval bodies to ensure researchers can be agile and adapt to ensure successful trial completion.

The role of Benjamin Bloom's taxonomy in improving the mastery of basic theoretical and clinical disciplines

It is known that the levels of assimilation of educational material in the taxonomy differ depending on the type of learning goals: cognitive (knowledge), affective (value orientations) and psychomotor (motor skills). The above is a significant factor for the formation of awareness of the activity of a pharmacist in practice using an integrative approach to pathophysiology.Objective. To protect the position that the introduction of Benjamin Bloom's taxonomy technologies into the educational process will contribute to the improvement of the training of medical specialists and pharmacists and significantly refine the quality of mastering basic theoretical and clinical disciplines.Material and methods. To conduct an analysis of improving the quality of mastering basic theoretical and clinical disciplines by implementing Benjamin Bloom's taxonomy with consistent implementation at different levels of mastering cognitive (knowledge), affective (value orientations), and psychomotor (motor skills) learning goals.Results. The implementation of each educational goal takes place at different levels of their assimilation. So, for cognitive purposes, the levels of learning are as follows: 1 - knowledge, 2 - understanding, 3 - application, 4 - analysis, 5 - synthesis, 6 - evaluation, 7 - creativity. For affective purposes are: 1 - perception, 2 - response, 3 - assimilation of value orientations, 4-organization of value orientations, 5 - distribution of value orientations to activity. For psychomotor are as follows: 1- imitation, 2- reproduction of manipulations, 3- achievement of accuracy, 4 - combination, 5 - naturalization.Conclusions. The use of the technologies of Benjamin Bloom's taxonomy of cognitive, emotional and psychomotor goals combined into a single entity makes it possible to significantly improve the quality of the educational process using the integrative principle pathophysiology, which will contribute to the effective implementation of a competent approach and comprehensively contribute to the formation of awareness of the activity of the doctor's and pharmacist in practice with improvement mastering basic theoretical and clinical disciplines.

Exploring the training of pharmacists oriented to the demands for clinical pharmacy services: from the perspective of physicians

BackgroundTo evaluate physicians’ perceptions, experiences and expectations of clinical pharmacists in China from the perspective of physicians’ demands, to improve the training of pharmacists.MethodsA cross-sectional survey involving physicians (except for primary physicians) was conducted from July to August 2019 in China. Using a field questionnaire, this study gathered data on descriptive information about the respondents and their perceptions, experiences and expectations of clinical pharmacists. Data were analysed descriptively using frequencies, percentages and mean. Several subgroup analyses using Chi-square tests were conducted to identify physicians’ demands for clinical pharmacists in China.ResultsA total of 1376 physicians from secondary and tertiary hospitals in China (response rate = 92%) participated. The majority of the respondents were comfortable with clinical pharmacists providing education to patients (59.09%) and detecting and preventing prescription errors (60.17%), but they appeared uncomfortable when asked about clinical pharmacists suggesting the use of prescription medications to patients (15.71%). Most respondents agreed that clinical pharmacists are a reliable source of general drug information (81.84%) instead of clinical drug information (79.58%). The majority of the respondents expected clinical pharmacists to be knowledgeable drug therapy experts (95.56%) and to educate their patients about the safe and appropriate use of medications (95.56%).ConclusionPhysicians’ perceptions and experiences were positively associated with the frequency of their interaction with clinical pharmacists. They had high expectations of clinical pharmacists as knowledgeable drug therapy experts. Corresponding policies and measures are needed to improve the education and training system of clinical pharmacists in China.

Survey‐based evaluation of national practices for postgraduate year one pharmacy resident emergency response training

AbstractIntroductionMedical emergency response teams optimally involve interdisciplinary expertise, including pharmacists. A pharmacist may make therapy recommendations, prepare medications, and act as a drug information resource, which are important skills for a postgraduate year one pharmacy resident (PGY1) to develop. Limited data exist evaluating current national practices for PGY1 emergency response.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to describe national practices for PGY1 emergency response. These data may help PGY1 programs identify potential best practices for self‐improvement.MethodsAn anonymous survey was developed to describe PGY1 emergency response within the United States and electronically distributed to PGY1 residency program directors. The questionnaire included general demographic information along with questions involving pharmacist and pharmacy resident emergency response and training within their institution. A univariate analysis was performed to evaluate potential predictors of survey respondent confidence in PGY1 independent emergency response by the end of the residency year.ResultsA total of 178 completed responses were obtained (response rate: 33.0%). The majority of respondents had both pharmacist and PGY1 response at their institution, with response to cardiopulmonary arrest being the most common. Of the 36 programs that did not have pharmacy resident involvement, the most common reason was due to lack of pharmacy response at their institution (61.1%). The majority of programs (68.3%) were confident in the ability for a PGY1 to independently respond by the end of their residency year. Only the number of emergency response by the end of the residency year was a predictor in their confidence of PGY1 independent response (p = 0.002).ConclusionThe majority of PGY1 programs had both pharmacist and pharmacy resident response to medical emergencies. The results of this survey may help PGY1 programs identify potential areas of improvement and help prospective residency candidates identify program characteristics that may best prepare them for emergency response.

The therapeutic concordance approach reduces adverse drug reactions in patients with resistant hypertension.

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) remain among the leading causes of therapy-resistant hypertension (TRH) and uncontrolled blood pressure (BP). We have recently reported beneficial results in BP control in patients with TRH adopting an innovative approach, defined as therapeutic concordance, in which trained physicians and pharmacists reach a concordance with patients to make them more involved in the therapeutic decision-making process. The main scope of this study was to investigate whether the therapeutic concordance approach could lead to a reduction in ADR occurrence in TRH patients. The study was performed in a large population of hypertensive subjects of the Campania Salute Network in Italy (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02211365). We enrolled 4,943 patients who were firstly followed-up for 77.64 ± 34.44 months, allowing us to identify 564 subjects with TRH. Then, 282 of these patients agreed to participate in an investigation to test the impact of the therapeutic concordance approach on ADRs. At the end of this investigation, which had a follow-up of 91.91 ± 54.7 months, 213 patients (75.5%) remained uncontrolled while 69 patients (24.5%, p < 0.0001) reached an optimal BP control. Strikingly, during the first follow-up, patients had complained of a total of 194 ADRs, with an occurrence rate of 68.1% and the therapeutic concordance approach significantly reduced ADRs to 72 (25.5%). Our findings indicate that the therapeutic concordance approach significantly reduces ADRs in TRH patients.

Evaluating digital competencies for pharmacists.

Digital technologies are widely used in healthcare. In the UK, Health Education England developed a framework on digital capabilities so that healthcare professionals could determine their health literacy, evaluate their competencies and identify their learning needs. For pharmacists, specific digital capabilities were developed - Digital Capabilities for the Pharmacy Workforce. The aim of this study was to explore the views of pharmacists on digital competency in the workplace and evaluate the suitability of the Digital Capabilities Framework for the Pharmacy Workforce for use within clinical practice. A focus group of experienced pharmacists working within the NHS in the UK was conducted and thematic analysis of the content was undertaken. Seven pharmacy staff took part in an online focus group. They held senior positions across various London NHS hospitals and in community settings. From the content of the focus group, four themes were identified: Theme 1 - Use of digital technology, Theme 2 - Digital competency and training of the pharmacy workforce, Theme 3 - Assessment of digital competency and Theme 4 - Evaluation of the Digital Capabilities Framework for the Pharmacy Workforce. The pharmacists in this study suggested that the Digital Capabilities Framework could be used as a helpful assessment tool to ensure that all staff should have the appropriate digital skills and capabilities to fulfil their pharmacy role. With widespread use of digital technologies in practice, there is a need for formal digital technology training for pharmacists. The Digital Capabilities Framework has the potential to be utilised as an assessment tool to ensure pharmacy staff have the appropriate levels of digital skills to fulfil their clinical duties and make their service more efficient.

Intersecting care through specialized pharmacists: A case report of residency rotation focused on the new horizon of cardio-oncology

Background and purposeCardio-oncology is a nascent discipline in the synergy of clinical cardiology and oncology, aiming to improve antineoplastic therapies, whilst minimizing cardiovascular toxicities. It requires a multidisciplinary approach with particular knowledge to build individualized care for patients. As part of multidisciplinary teams, pharmacists are uniquely positioned to play a role in the management of these patients, being responsible for monitoring adverse reactions and having an active approach in preventing drug-related morbidity. However, despite the existence of oncology and cardiology residency pharmacy programs, and the burden of cancer and cardiovascular diseases, there is a lack of data regarding pharmacists training focusing on cardio-oncology. Educational activity and settingA 15-days rotation was built to develop knowledge and clinical skills on pharmacological cardiovascular management of patients in a hemato-oncology residency program. The hospital where the rotation was offered is a 900-bed university hospital in Porto Alegre, south of Brazil. The rotation was designed for a postgraduate year 2 (PGY2) onco-hematology pharmacy resident and mentored by two staff clinical pharmacists from the cardiology field. The rotation schedule was distributed to reach three different approaches of learning: theoretical, practical-theoretical and practical. Activities were proposed aiming to provide experiences in cardiac care for the PGY2 resident, and clinical activities with patients were developed in both inpatient and outpatient settings. After the end of the 15 days rotation period, an evaluation was carried out by the PGY2 resident together with the staff menthors. FindingsThis is the first cardio-oncology pharmacist rotation described in our country. The rotation was considered positive by residents evaluation on providing a clinical experience through cardiotoxicity management of oncology protocols. SummaryCollaborations between cardiology and oncology clinical pharmacy teams, and the multidisciplinary teams as well, can help provide structured cardio-oncology rotation opportunities for pharmacy residents.being the team's specialist on antineoplastic agents monitoring and preventable drug related morbidity, the pharmacist can contribute to achieve better outcomes to patients with cancer.

Magnitude of dispensing unprescribed antibiotics in community pharmacies in Duhok province; Kurdistan region of Iraq

Objectives: study aims to provide a descriptive overview about the magnitude and frequency of dispensing the unprescribed antibiotics UABs. It furthermore aims, to specify the most dispensed UAB types, the most common infections, signs and symptoms that require dispensing the UABs in community pharmacies of Duhok city and its districts. Methods: A cross sectional cohort study had been conducted from September to October 2022, private community pharmacies of Duhok province were included in this study. A standardized questionnaire platform was utilized to complete the survey, it included 2 sections, the first of which was related to demographic data and the second part included details of the dispensing unprescribed antibiotics UABs like: what are the most common dispensed UABs, what are the most common illness and symptoms of patients who require dispensing UABs. Results: One hundred fifty pharmacies have been included in this study. The majorities were from Duhok city 46%, and Zakho 28.7%. The prevalence of dispensing UABs was 100%, the three most common dispensed UABs were Amoxicillin 77%, followed by azithromycin 16% and cefixime 7%. The most infections and conditions requiring dispensing UABs were tonsilitis (69.3%), followed by flu and common cold (58.7%), and lower respiratory tract infection (48.7%). Conclusion: This study concluded that dispensing UABs is a frequent practice in Duhok community pharmacies. Viruses are the most common cause of upper respiratory tract infections; hence, antibiotics must be avoided and OTC medicines should be encouraged to alleviate the symptoms. Continuing medical education through training pharmacists on dispensing antibiotics by adhering to the regulations of antibiotic stewardship is crucial.

Study of preferences of patients with diabetes regard to pharmaceutical services

Pharmacies are a component of the healthcare. Pharmaceutical care and pharmaceutical services improve disease control, quality of patients life and reduce of the burden on healthcare. The implementation of pharmaceutical care and pharmaceutical services for patients with diabetes according to the standards of the GPP is relevant for the domestic pharmacy. Therefore, it is advisable to determine the preferences of patients with diabetes because they have their own needs for treatment and control.&#x0D; The purpose of the study was to study the views of patients with diabetes regarding to function of pharmacies, pharmaceutical services and determine their preferences.&#x0D; The survey of patients with diabetes by the questionnaire method was carried out. Relevant questionnaires of 510 patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes were included in the study.&#x0D; The results of the survey showed that the majority of patients with diabetes would like to be served in a specialized pharmacy that specializes in drugs and medical products for diabetes. On the basis of the study, the preferences of patients with diabetes regarding to the activities of pharmacies were determined: availability of a wide rang of product; loyalty program for special products related to diabetes, additional services and pharmaceutical consultations. The majority of those interviewed noted that they need a pharmacist's consultation on taking medications. This type of service requires training of pharmacists in diabetes in order to provide pharmaceutical care at an appropriate level. Pharmaceutical services which patients with diabetes need were identificated. There are: testing of blood glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure, weight check, calculation of body mass index and interpretation of results. The creation of a «diabetes self-management school» based on pharmacies will improve the availability of education for patients with diabetes. It is necessary to study the demand directly in the area of the pharmacy before introduction this type of service. It is important to implement systematic special events in pharmacies for the World Diabetes Day. Thes is appropriated for the general population, but also for patients with diabetes. From the point of view of patients with diabetes during this event, they are interested in: consultation of an endocrinologist and nutritionist; blood glucose test; test of diabetes risk; information materials about diabetes.&#x0D; The results of the survey can be prospectively used to improve the service of patients with diabetes and provide for their needs.

478 A qualitative exploration of the implementation of the Prescribing course Designated Prescribing Practitioner role in community pharmacy

Abstract Introduction To alleviate NHS workload pressures Scottish Government wish to train more pharmacist independent prescribers (IPs) for community pharmacy (1). A critical aspect for IP training is the role of Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP) for the period of learning in practice. A paucity of work has focussed on implementation of the DPP role with a recent cross-sectional survey (2) indicating that further qualitative exploration is warranted. Aim To explore the implementation of the DPP role in Scottish Community Pharmacy (CP). Methods Following a survey (2) participants opted in to qualitative semi-structured online mini-focus groups. This included key stakeholders likely be involved in the implementation of the DPP role (e.g Directors of Pharmacy, Prescribing Leads, Education and Training leads, IP qualified CPs). The topic guide was informed by the survey key findings, Royal Pharmaceutical Society DPP Framework and the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research and piloted with academic and practice-based stakeholders. All focus groups were conducted using Zoom, recorded, transcribed, and independently analysed thematically, by two researchers, using the Framework Approach. Data generation continued until data saturation. Results Data were generated from six mini-focus groups with 12 key stakeholders across Scottish Health Boards. Key themes derived related to: views on the DPP role, characteristics of potential DPPs, facilitators and barriers to implementation. Participants supported DPP implementation and noted benefits of pharmacists training pharmacists. They noted that potential DPPs need to be confident and competent and be active prescribers. Facilitators for implementation included: new contracted services (e.g. NHS Pharmacy First Plus), growing need for more IPs, and the impact of COVID-19. Barriers included: limited time, capacity, resources, and support to take on the DPP role. Pharmacists were also considered risk averse which could influence role uptake. Conclusion This theory-based work involved a range of key stakeholders and highlights that there is a need to further consider interventions to overcome barriers related to capacity and resource related issues. A limitation relates to the dyadic nature of some focus groups that may have affected data collection. Future research should focus on further theory-based work evaluating structures, processes, and outcomes of DPP role implementation.

Global Advancement in Pharmacy Services for Mental Health: A Review for Evidence-Based Practices.

The symptoms of psychiatric infirmities have variability, and selected drug regimens for mental illness are comparatively complex and individualized; therefore, pharmacy services vary with respect to patients, diseases, healthcare settings, community structures, and countries. Clinical pharmacy services for mental health (MH) are continuously being upgraded. A structured search of the literature was performed in the Cochrane, PubMed (Medline), PsycINFO, Google scholar, Scopus, Science Direct, and Springer Links databases. The title and abstract of each retrieved article were evaluated for relevance. To remove uncertainty and ambiguity, the full-text articles were retrieved and examined for relevance. The articles were further assessed on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Narrative synthesis was performed, creating new categories and relevant subcategories and further subsections. The articles and the results were assessed for quality and bias. Pharmacists have a range of expertise in psychiatric care. The services can be classified as conventional, extended, and advanced pharmacy services. Conventional services include the quality use of medicines in healthcare settings and medication support services in communities that ensure medication adherence. Pharmacists perform extended roles in collaborative medication therapy management, multidisciplinary community mental health teams, collaborative care, patient education, home medication review, hospital-to-home transit, and screening services. In the USA, the role of pharmacists was advanced by prescribing as collaborative and interim prescribers. Australia launched an accredited program for psychiatric first-aid pharmacists. Pharmacists can provide mental care to rural populations using health technology. The role of pharmacists in MH is appreciated either independently or as a team member. Patients and healthcare providers rank the services of pharmacists in MH highly. Still, there is a margin for improvement in the training of pharmacists. Pharmacists cannot provide sufficient time to their patients. Public awareness about the role of pharmacists in MH needs more attention. Moreover, the training of psychiatric pharmacists should be standardized around the world.

Japanese Pharmacists’ Perceptions of Self-Development Skills and Continuing Professional Development

The role of healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, is changing. Lifelong learning and continuing professional development (CPD) are more critical than ever for both current and future pharmacists in the face of global health challenges and new technologies, services and therapies that are continually and rapidly introduced into their daily practice. Currently, Japanese pharmacists' licences are not renewable, although most developed countries have a renewal system. Therefore, understanding Japanese pharmacists' perceptions of CPD is the first step in reviewing undergraduate and postgraduate education. The target population was Japanese pharmacists, i.e., community pharmacy pharmacists and hospital pharmacists. The participants were administered a questionnaire with 18 items related to continuing professional development. Our study found that regarding item "Q16 Do you think you need further education in your undergraduate education to continue your professional development?", (a) the ability to identify one's own problems and issues, (b) the ability to make plans to solve problems and issues, (c) the ability to carry out plans to solve problems and issues and (d) the ability to repeat steps of self-development, approximately 60% of pharmacists answered that these aspects were "necessary" or "quite necessary". As part of universities' responsibility for the lifelong education of pharmacists, it is necessary to systematically conduct teaching seminars or undergraduate education or postgraduate education on self-development while training pharmacists to meet the needs of citizens.

Sugammadex Vial Wastage: Implications for the Cost of Anesthesia Care in Children: Research Letter.

Sugammadex Vial Wastage: Implications for the Cost of Anesthesia Care in Children: Research Letter.

Developing a FIP handbook for implementing competency-based education in pharmacy education

Competency-based education (CBE) is a viable educational approach to close a training gap between ever-changing health challenges and pharmacy and pharmaceutical education curricula. However, the implementation of CBE into initial professional education and training (IPET) for pharmacists is slow. Thus, the development of a handbook to guide academics, educators, and practitioners in implementing CBE would be beneficial. This paper describes the process of developing a handbook to support educators in implementing CBE principles in IPET for pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists. The project involves three phases: (1) a systematic review, (2) a global survey, and (3) the development of a handbook. The handbook provides guidance and a stepwise approach to implementing CBE in pharmacy curricula, which is particularly useful in resource-limited settings where curriculum overhaul using CBE principles might be challenging.

Student pharmacists delivering academic detailing on adult pneumococcal vaccination to community pharmacists

BackgroundAcademic detailing is an educational outreach approach to disseminate evidence-based information to health care professionals and improve clinical decision making. Pharmacists and physicians are recognized as the most qualified individuals to perform academic detailing; however, trained student pharmacists may also serve as suitable academic detailers. ObjectivesTo describe our academic detailing intervention that used trained student pharmacists to disseminate an updated pneumococcal vaccination clinical pathway (i.e., decision-support tool) and education to community pharmacists in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. MethodsWe updated an academic detailing initiative that included a pneumococcal vaccination clinical pathway and education for community pharmacists in 2021. Two University of Rhode Island (URI) College of Pharmacy pharmacist faculty members trained 6 student pharmacists to perform academic detailing. Student pharmacists visited URI-affiliated community pharmacies throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts. After each session, each participant received a 6-question anonymous paper survey to assess the effectiveness of the updated pathway and academic detailing session. The survey used a 5-point Likert-type scale. We assessed the percentage agreement with each question. ResultsAcademic detailing was delivered to 76 community pharmacists from May to August 2021. Most respondents agreed (89.2%, 58/65) that their knowledge of which patient populations met eligibility for the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine or pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine improved. Respondents were confident they could apply the knowledge gained (93.8%, 61/65) and intended to apply the pathway (93.8%, 61/65) to clinical practice. Most respondents expected vaccination practices to change because of the academic detailing and education materials received (83.6%, 51/61). Almost all respondents (95.4%, 62/65) found the educational materials easy to understand. ConclusionTrained student pharmacists can deliver academic detailing regarding adult pneumococcal vaccination to community pharmacists. Enlisting the help of student pharmacists may be a sustainable approach to academic detailing and provides students with valuable opportunities to practice delivering educational outreach to community pharmacists.

Abstract 723: Who reconstitutes my chemotherapy? Examining the educational needs of oncology pharmacy practitioners in Nigeria

Abstract BackgroundNigeria has the highest cancer burden in Africa with 124,815 cancer cases and 78,899 cancer deaths in 2020. The limited number of oncology specialists, inaccessibility of essential cancer medicines like chemotherapies, and suboptimal delivery of cancer care lead to poor treatment outcomes. Oncology pharmacy (OP) practitioners are critical oncology professionals in the multidisciplinary team (MDT) for cancer treatment globally. In Nigeria, there is a limited number of OP practitioners providing services like reconstitution of chemotherapy, clinical research, safe use of biosafety cabinets, and monitoring of adverse drug reactions. Although the interest in oncology pharmacy is increasing, the educational needs, available skill sets, and directed training in oncology pharmacy across the nation are unknown. In this study, we examined the educational needs of OP practitioners and worked with the West African College of Pharmacy West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (WAPCP), Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners Association of Nigeria (OPPAN), and the International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners to upgrade the oncology pharmacy practice in Nigeria. MethodA cross-sectional study with a semi-structured questionnaire was done in 2021 with 39 pharmacists working in oncology centers across Nigeria. General descriptive statistics and qualitative analysis was performed. ResultsThere is no board-certified oncology pharmacist in Nigeria. More than 50% of the general pharmacists working in oncology centers are responsible for chemotherapy reconstitution. Understanding chemotherapy reconstitution (automation of chemotherapeutic mixing, use of radiopharmaceuticals, etc), use of biosafety cabinets, knowledge of pharmacology, designing treatment protocols, data management, immunotherapy delivery, and oncology clinical trials were some of the most significant educational needs of the OP practitioners in Nigeria. OP practitioners are lacking in most cancer centers and MDTs. ConclusionThere is an urgent need for a specialty postgraduate training programme in oncology pharmacy in Nigeria. This would help increase oncology clinical trials, improve delivery of cancer medicines, quality of care, and management of toxicities. The West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists and OPPAN need appropriate training resources to develop an oncology pharmacy curriculum, promote the specialty and collaborate with global institutions for board certifications. Citation Format: Runcie C. Chidebe, Ramatu M. Alabelewe, Darlingtina K. Esiaka, Gloria C. Okwu, Tochukwu C. Orjiakor, Nwamaka Lasebikan, Jacinta Emejulu, Adamu A. Umar, Ndifreke Okwuegbunam, Funsho David, Toyosi Adepoju, Krishna Prasad Sapkota, Candidus C. Nwakasi, Agha A. Agha, Simeon C. Aruah, Katy Graef, Richard Mshelia, Rob Duncombe, Matthew O. Nwaneri, Noel Wannang, Cindy O’Bryant, R. Donald Harvey, Peace C. Babalola, Folakemi T. Odedina. Who reconstitutes my chemotherapy? Examining the educational needs of oncology pharmacy practitioners in Nigeria [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 723.

Community pharmacists' roles in providing contraceptive services: views and experiences of adolescents in urban Khon Kaen, Northeast Thailand.

Adolescent pregnancy is a national public health priority in Thailand. While contraceptive methods are available to prevent adolescent pregnancy, Thai adolescent contraceptive usage is low. Community pharmacists are likely the first health professionals to contact adolescents engaged in unprotected sex and needing emergency contraception. However, there is limited research on Thai pharmacists' roles in promoting sexual and reproductive health. This study examines Thai adolescents' perspectives on community pharmacists' roles in promoting contraceptives and preventing unwanted pregnancies. This qualitative study recruited 38 adolescents aged 15-19 from one vocational school and one secondary school in Khon Kaen, Thailand. Data were collected from focus group discussions and in-depth interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. Participants felt community pharmacists had potentially critical roles in promoting adolescent contraceptive use. Community pharmacists had relevant knowledge of effective contraceptive methods, the risks and benefits of each method, and the quality of different condoms available. Community pharmacists, at times, also provided emotional support to distressed adolescents who came to their store. However, participants reported pharmacists' age, gender, and non-empathetic and judgemental attitudes could be barriers to adolescents' ease of access to contraceptive services. This study highlights the potentially crucial role community pharmacists could play in providing contraceptive information for adolescents. It suggests the need for changes in government policies and education and training of community pharmacists to enhance their soft skills - empathetic and non-judgemental attitudes - and their roles in delivering youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services.

Personalised recommendations for hospitalised patients with Acute Kidney Injury using a Kidney Action Team (KAT-AKI): protocol and early data of a randomised controlled trial

IntroductionAlthough studies have examined the utility of clinical decision support tools in improving acute kidney injury (AKI) outcomes, no study has evaluated the effect of real-time, personalised AKI recommendations. This...