Pharmacists' attitudes towards direct anticoagulants Author: Tereza Mertová Supervisor: doc. PharmDr. Josef Malý, Ph.D. Consultant: PharmDr. Kateřina Malá, Ph.D. Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Department of Social and Clinical Pharmacy Introduction and Objective: Pharmacists are involved in providing of professional information about direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) treatment during DOAC dispensation to patients. Their attitudes and knowledge about DOAC treatment are therefore crucial for optimisation of pharmaceutical care of patients taking DOAC. The objective of this thesis was to analyze attitudes, experience, habits and opinions of pharmacists regarding the DOAC treatment. Methodology: Pharmacists from three District Pharmacists' Associations (OSL) were addressed to participate in an electronic anonymous questionnaire between March and May 2021. Questionnaire consisted of 32 items focusing on the frequency of DOAC dispensation, pharmacist self-confidence about DOAC, information provided to patients during DOAC dispensation, benefits and limits of DOAC treatment compared to treatment with warfarin, and patient adherence to DOAC treatment. The results were processed using descriptive statistics and further analyzed by parametric and nonparametric tests. Results: A...

Abstract available in the American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education.

Abstract available in the American Journal of Pharmacy Education.

Background: The central Appalachian region is at an elevated risk for HIV/HCV outbreaks, primarily due to injection drug use. Regional risk assessments highlight gaps in the evidence-based continuum of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention strategies to minimize HIV/HCV transmission. One potential strategy for increasing the reach of HIV/HCV prevention efforts in rural areas is through provision of services at community pharmacies. Objective: To qualitatively describe community pharmacists' HIV/HCV-related prevention behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs in a 3-state central Appalachian region. Methods: Key informant interviews were conducted with 15 practicing community pharmacists. Theory of Planned Behavior-based questions probed for perceptions about the role of pharmacies in preventing and reducing HIV/HCV outbreaks in rural areas through activities such as syringe services, screening for HIV/HCV, and linking people to treatment when appropriate. Investigators applied thematic analysis to deductively and inductively generate themes from the interview transcripts. Results: Two overarching themes regarding pharmacist engagement in HIV/HCV-related prevention services were generated: 1) current approaches to primary prevention through nonprescription syringe sales (e.g., gatekeeping behaviors) and 2) potential for uptake of the continuum of HIV/HCV-related prevention services in community pharmacies. Future engagement of community pharmacists in the continuum of HIV/HCV-related prevention services comprised 2 subthemes as possible underlying factors: general and specific willingness to provide services and perceived fit within the pharmacy profession. Conclusions: Central Appalachian community pharmacists express a general willingness to help patients who may benefit from HIV/HCV-related prevention services, but current engagement, willingness, and perceived fit for offering specific prevention services in the community pharmacy setting is variable. This has potential immediate implications, such as prioritizing the introduction of more widely accepted services (e.g., provision of HIV/HCV-related prevention education) to community pharmacy practice, and longer-term implications, such as the integration and framing of HIV/HCV-related prevention services as helping behavior within the pharmacist professional identity.

OBJECTIVE: To measure clinical and qualitative outcomes in patients with diabetes mellitus transitioning from intensive insulin therapy using multiple daily injections (MDI) to continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) initiated and managed by clinical pharmacists under a collaborative practice agreement in a primary care setting without an endocrinologist. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This study was a retrospective and cross-sectional analysis of data from an electronic medical record (EMR) and patient survey at a large primary care private practice. Patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who were ≥18 years old, started on CSII between 2007 and 2010, and had at least one follow-up visit post-CSII were analyzed. Mean HbA1c results were stratified across 3-month intervals post-CSII initiation and compared to pre-CSII levels. Body mass index (BMI), the number of diabetes-related clinic visits with the primary care physician (PCP), and non-insulin diabetes medication use was compared pre- and post-CSII initiation. Paper-based questionnaires were used to assess patient satisfaction with CSII vs MDI and pharmacist-led services. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were included in the analysis. HbA1c decreased from 8.69 to 7.52% pre and post-CSII, respectively (p < 0.001). HbA1c also decreased across all 3-month intervals post-CSII. BMI decreased from 33.0 to 32.3 kg/m(2) pre- and post-CSII, respectively (p = 0.085). Fewer diabetes-related PCP visits were completed post-CSII (5.09 vs 3.78 visits/year, p = 0.009), and less non-insulin diabetes medications were prescribed post-CSII (p < 0.001). Patients felt more comfortable controlling glycemic excursions and resultant insulin adjustments with CSII compared to MDI (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacist-led CSII services appear to improve diabetes control in patients requiring intensive insulin therapy. Patients report greater comfort using CSII and strong confidence in the abilities of the pharmacist. Physician-pharmacist collaboration in the management of intensive insulin therapy in the primary care setting should be further explored.

The impact of the pharmacist in elderly patient healthcare management is developing. In our study, the interventions made by community pharmacists in the RESPECT study (Randomised Evaluation of Shared Prescribing for Elderly people in the Community over Time) were analysed and evaluated. In our study, the study sample was chosen according to specific criteria. The outcomes of these pharmacist interventions were measured by a clinical panel which scored and categorised each intervention into one of five categories. The study also investigated the percentage of interventions implemented or not implemented by GPs. In our study, initially 398 patients and of these 52 were excluded because their files did not contain the entry criteria information, leaving 346 patients who were identified with a mean (SD) of 8.9 (3.3) pharmaceutical care plans which contained mean (SD) 8.2(7.2) pharmaceutical care issues. Of these 43% were males and 57% were females with a mean (SD) age of 81(3.7) years. There were many missing data about drugs prescribed due to poor documentation by community pharmacists in the RESPECT study particularly at post study period (T5). The mean (SD) for all drugs prescribed was 35.9 (12.38) for each patient and for the whole study period including the post period (T5). In our study a total of 2879 individual pharmaceutical care issues were identified. A clinical panel judged that 43% of the interventions prevented harm, 31% improved the efficacy of management, 3% were detrimental to the patient¿s management plan, 12% only provided information and there was insufficient information to make a decision on the remaining 11%. For the classifications prevented harm to the patient and improve efficacy of management, the panel gave a score of 7 or more to 264 and 103 respectively which were classed as potential prevented hospital admissions. The outcome of 1628 could not be determined from the data and the pharmacist did not intervene on 361 occasions. Of the remaining 890 (30.9%) GPs accepted 715 and did not accept 175. The cost effectiveness of providing pharmaceutical care to older people by community pharmacists could be estimated (£620,000) by calculating reduction in expenditure of hospital admissions. In addition, there would be the possibility of reduced pressure on other NHS resources such as availability of hospital beds. The involvement of a clinical pharmacist in elderly patient health care, within the setting of a community pharmacy, provided positive healthcare outcomes and therefore should be encouraged in line with the new white paper for England "Building on strengths-delivering the future" (2008). The study emphasises the importance of revising the nature and period of postgraduate training for community pharmacists who are going to provide pharmaceutical care for elderly patients. This raises the possibility of specialised competency based postgraduate training for community pharmacists with a special interest in the care of older people (PhwSI). This would enable community pharmacists practising as generalists to become advanced practitioners in the specialist clinical area of older people and ensure a consistent level of service for elderly patients in line with government expectations.

Introduction: Medication errors are a major cause of illness and hospitalization of patients throughout the world. This study examines the situation regarding medication errors in the Armed Forces Hospital, Kuwait since no literature exists of any such studies for this country. Several types of potential errors were studied by physicians, nurses and pharmacists. Their attitudes to the commission of errors and possible consequences were surveyed using questionnaires. Additionally, patient medical records were reviewed for possible errors arising from such actions such as the co-administration of interacting drugs. Methods: This study included direct observations of physicians during the prescribing process, pharmacists while they dispensed medications and nurses as they distributed and administered drugs to patients. Data were collected and compiled on Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and analyses were performed using SPSS. Where applicable, results were reported as counts and/ or percentages of error rates. Nurses, pharmacists and physicians survey questionnaires: From the 200 staff sent questionnaires a total of 149 respondents comprising nurses (52.3%), physicians (32.2%) and pharmacists (16.1%) returned the questionnaires a total response rate of 74.5%. All responses were analyzed and compared item-by-item to see if there were any significant differences between the three groups for each questionnaire item. All three groups were most in agreement about their perception of hospital administration as making patient safety a top priority with regard to communicating with staff and taking action when medication errors were reported (all means 3.0 and p > 0.05). Pharmacists were most assured of administration support when an error was reported whereas nurses were least likely to see the administration as being supportive ( p < 0.001), and were more afraid of the negative consequences associated with reporting of medication errors (p = 0.026). Although nurses were generally less likely to perceive themselves as being able to communicate freely regarding reporting of errors compared to pharmacists there was no significant difference between the two groups. Both however were significantly different from physicians (p< 0.001). Physicians had the most favorable response to perceiving new technology as helping to create a safer environment for patients and to the full utilization of such technologies within the institution in order to help prevent medical errors. Scenario response - Responses to two scenarios outlining possible consequences, should a staff member commit a medication error, tended to be very similar among the three groups and followed the same general trend in which the later the error was discovered and the more grievous the patient harm, the more severe would be the consequences to the staff member. Interestingly, physicians saw themselves as less likely to suffer consequences and nurses saw themselves as more likely to suffer consequences should they have committed a medication error. All three groups were more likely to see themselves as facing dismissal from their job if the patient were to die. RESULTS OF ALL THREE OBSERVATIONS: Result of Nursing observations: For 1124 doses studied, 194 resulted in some form of error. The error rate was 17.2% and the accuracy was 82.8%. The commonest errors in a descending order were: wrong time, wrong drug, omission, wrong strength/ dose, wrong route, wrong instruction and wrong technique. No wrong drug form was actually administered in the observational period. These were the total number of errors observed for the entire month period of the study. IV Result of Pharmacist observations: A total of 2472 doses were observed during the one month period. Observations were done for 3 hours per day each day that the study was carried out. The study showed that there were 118 errors detected which were in the following categories respectively: 52 no instructions, 28 wrong drug/unordered, 21 wrong strength/dose, ignored/omission 13, shortage of medication 3 and expired date 1. Result of Prescribers in Chart review for drug-drug interactions: The analysis of the drug-drug interactions showed that out of a total of 1000 prescriptions, 124 had drug-drug interactions. None were found to fall into the highest severity rating i.e. 4 (contraindicated). Only twenty-one interactions were rated 3 (major), 87 interactions were rated moderate and 15 interactions were rated minor according the modified Micromedex scale. Patient education: All health care such as physician, pharmacist, and nurses have a responsibility to educate patient about their medication use and their health conditions to protecting them from any error can occur by wrong using drugs. Conclusion This study has contributed to the field of medication errors by providing data for a Middle Eastern country for the very first time. The views and opinions of the nurses, pharmacists and physicians should be considered to enhance the systems to minimize any errors in the future.

The care of people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) involves input from different healthcare professionals (HCPs). A literature search identified that the HCPs involved in PD multidisciplinary (MDT) clinics, including interdisciplinary team (IDT), varied both in the number and type of HCPs. None of the studies identified involved pharmacists. Pharmacists have shown benefits when working in MDTs for other long-term conditions (LTCs); however, their role in PD MDTs was identified as a gap in the literature. The aim of the study was to determine the role of pharmacists in a PD IDT. Patients attended a PD IDT clinic comprising PD nurse, physiotherapist, occupational therapist and pharmacist. A mixed methods convergent design was used to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. Qualitative focus group and interview data were analysed using The Framework Method. Quantitative data analysis involved counts of HCP interventions. Pharmacists can support PD IDTs as they have in other LTC MDTs by conducting holistic medication reviews. Three new roles were identified for pharmacists in PD IDTs as: 1) independent prescribing, 2) supporting HCPS in their roles by supporting staff knowledge, and 3) leading the PD IDT clinics. Quantitative data showed the pharmacist made a medication review intervention for all patients. HCPs and patients identified the roles and value of involving pharmacists in PD IDTs. The PD IDT clinics offer a holistic approach to patient care and a greater opportunity for patients to be involved. The findings identified a ‘review-shared care template’ for PD IDTs and recommends development of a ‘pharmacist’s PD competency framework’.

Thesis (M.Pharm. (Pharmacy Practice)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / Developing countries face huge challenges in provision of pharmaceutical care whereas some developed countries have developed and implemented measure to improve pharmaceutical care through collaborative practices. Collaborative patient care is referred to as the cooperative work or practice by healthcare professionals assuming complementary roles and sharing responsibilities for decision making and problem solving to formulate and furnish quality patient care. Pharmaceutical care is governed by the principles and philosophy of patient centred pharmacy practice, where the main responsibilities, roles or action of a pharmacist are based on patient care. Collaborative pharmaceutical care practice for outpatient requires collaborative action of a pharmacist with other healthcare practitioners. Pharmacist-medical practitioner collaborative care practice is one of the recently emerging aspects in developing countries’ hospitals such as in South Africa which can enhance patient care. Method A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was conducted with a purposeful sample of 8 pharmacists and 9 medical practitioners at Mankweng Hospital in Limpopo province, South Africa. In the study we used audiotaped interviews that were transcribed exactly as said and analysed using thematic content analysis. Results Three main themes emerged from the study’s interview analysis, description of the current relationship and collaborative practices; the perspective of the pharmacists and medical practitioners on collaboration; the barriers affecting pharmacist-medical practitioner collaboration; and recommendations on the ways, strategy and model to improve pharmacists-medical practitioner collaboration. This highlighted that the relationship among pharmacists and medical practitioners is moderate and there a need for improvement in the relationship. The recommendations range from established xv educational and interactional platforms, improved resource supply, clarity in terms of roles and responsibilities and enhanced managerial structures and functions. Conclusion The current relationship among pharmacists and medical practitioners is moderate. There is still a need for improvement in the relationship to achieve quality collaborative practice for pharmaceutical care in outpatient.

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