No description available.

Many studies have reported that the training for practitioners does not stimulate reflexes that contribute to the tenets of teamwork and collaboration. No studies were found to investigate relational intelligence (RQ) in pharmacist-physician relationships as a catalyst for collaborative and hence cost effective quality care. This study addressed the role and potential opportunity to promote RQ as a critical leadership skill in the collaboration between pharmacists and physicians. Using RQ as the conceptual framework, this phenomenological study explored how pharmacists and physicians in a hospital setting perceive RQ as a leadership skill when working collaboratively. A total of 10 participants (5 pharmacists and 5 physicians) from a 443-bed comprehensive hospital in Michigan were selected using purposive sampling. Pharmacists and physicians included had at least 4 years of hospital experience. Data were collected through semistructured in-depth interviews and analyzed using the hierarchical approach. Results indicated interest among both pharmacists and physicians to use RQ as a leadership skill to work collaboratively. Further findings highlighted the need for face-to-face communication between pharmacists and physicians, better collaboration, accountability, feedback, focus and alignment, promotion of positive relationships, and a leadership position directed by a PhD-prepared practitioner with expertise in RQ. These findings bring awareness to both pharmacists and physicians of barriers to collaboration; these findings also suggest the need for multidisciplinary training that incorporates RQ theory as a foundation for both pharmacists and physicians, which may decrease health care costs while improving communication, trust, mutual understanding, collaboration, and quality care.

<p>&nbsp / </p> <p align="left">Oral ulcers and oral thrush could be indicative of serious illnesses such as oral cancer, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), among others. There are many different health care workers that can be approached for advice and/or treatment for oral ulcers and oral thrush (sometimes referred to as mouth sores by patients), including pharmacists. In fact, the mild and intermittent nature of oral ulcers and oral thrush may most likely lead the patient to present to a pharmacist for immediate treatment. In addition, certain aspects of access are exempt at a pharmacy such as long queues and waiting times, the need to make an appointment and the cost for consultation. Thus pharmacies may serve as a reservoir of undetected cases of oral cancer, HIV and other STIs. <b><font face="Times New Roman">Aim</font></b><font face="TimesNewRomanPSMT" size="3"><font face="TimesNewRomanPSMT" size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">: To determine how community pharmacists in the Western Cape manage </font>oral ulcers and oral thrush.</font></font></p>

University of Macau / Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences

<p>&nbsp / </p> <p align="left">Oral ulcers and oral thrush could be indicative of serious illnesses such as oral cancer, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), among others. There are many different health care workers that can be approached for advice and/or treatment for oral ulcers and oral thrush (sometimes referred to as mouth sores by patients), including pharmacists. In fact, the mild and intermittent nature of oral ulcers and oral thrush may most likely lead the patient to present to a pharmacist for immediate treatment. In addition, certain aspects of access are exempt at a pharmacy such as long queues and waiting times, the need to make an appointment and the cost for consultation. Thus pharmacies may serve as a reservoir of undetected cases of oral cancer, HIV and other STIs. <b><font face="Times New Roman">Aim</font></b><font face="TimesNewRomanPSMT" size="3"><font face="TimesNewRomanPSMT" size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">: To determine how community pharmacists in the Western Cape manage </font>oral ulcers and oral thrush.</font></font></p>

The objective of the study was to augment important findings from a 1996 statewide survey of Indiana pharmacists regarding their opinions and practices related to the sale of cigarettes and alcohol in pharmacies. More specifically, this study was designed (1) to determine opinions and practices of Kentucky pharmacists' related to the sale of cigarettes and alcohol; (2) compare these findings with results from the Indiana study; and (3) to gather information on health promotion activities by Kentucky pharmacists. A structured survey questionnaire was designed and reviewed by a jury of experts and subsequently administered to half of the 1182 pharmacies in Kentucky. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods.Findings reveal that 45% of responding pharmacists sell cigarettes in their stores although 88% think their stores should not sell cigarettes. Approximately 34% of pharmacies in non-dry counties sell alcoholic beverages while more than four-fifths of the pharmacists (81%) think pharmacies should not sell alcoholic beverages. After adjusting by type of pharmacy, no statistical difference was found in retail-chain pharmacy sales of cigarettes and alcohol in either Kentucky or Indiana. However, independent pharmacies in Kentucky were less likely to sell cigarettes and alcohol compared to independent Indiana pharmacies. Study results also revealed that most pharmacists agree the use of cigarettes and alcohol are important causes of morbidity and pre-mature mortality and that pharmacists should play a role in health promotion and disease prevention through their relationship with the public. / Department of Physiology and Health Science

Magister Chirurgiae Dentium - MChD / Oral ulcers and oral thrush could be indicative of serious illnesses such as oral cancer, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), among others. There are many different health care workers that can be approached for advice and/or treatment for oral ulcers and oral thrush (sometimes referred to as mouth sores by patients), including pharmacists. In fact, the mild and intermittent nature of oral ulcers and oral thrush may most likely lead the patient to present to a pharmacist for immediate treatment. In addition, certain aspects of access are exempt at a pharmacy such as long queues and waiting times, the need to make an appointment and the cost for consultation. Thus pharmacies may serve as a reservoir of undetected cases of oral cancer, HIV and other STIs. Aim: To determine how community pharmacists in the Western Cape manage oral ulcers and oral thrush. Objectives: The data set included the prevalence of oral complaints confronted by pharmacists, how they manage oral ulcers, oral thrush and mouth sores, their knowledge about these conditions, and the influence of socio-economic status (SES) and metropolitan location (metro or non-metro) on recognition and management of the lesions. Method: A cross-sectional survey of community pharmacists in the Western Cape was conducted. A random sample of pharmacies was stratified by SES (high and low), and metropolitan location. A structured questionnaire was used to conduct a telephonic interview. The questionnaire was faxed to pharmacists 24 hours prior to the interview. Pharmacists were also telephoned 24 hours prior to the interview, but after the questionnaire was faxed, in order to gain informed consent for participation in the study, and to confirm a convenient time to conduct the interview. Results: Two thirds (63%) of pharmacists managed oral problems nearly everyday, and 30% managed these more than once a week. More pharmacists in high SES (73%) areas managed oral problems nearly everyday (Fisher Exact, p=0.0005). Just over half (56%) and 49.2% of pharmacists said that ulcers and thrush, respectively, was the most common oral problem that they encounter. The prevalence of oral thrush was significantly higher in non-metro areas (58%) (RR=0.7 (0.5-1.0) ChiSquared=4.0, p=0.04), and it was also significantly lower in low SES areas (RR=1.6 (1.1-2.4), Chi Squared=6.5, p=0.01). Half the pharmacists reported that they would manage the patient comprehensively. Most would take a history but the quality of the history is poor, thereby compromising their ability to manage these cases appropriately. Only a third would refer a simple oral ulcer, thrush or mouth sore to a doctor/dentist but all pharmacists would have referred a longstanding ulcer to a doctor/dentist. In terms of knowledge, only 33% of pharmacists were aware that oral ulcers and thrush could be indicative of HIV infection, and only 8% linked oral ulcers with oral cancer. There was no discernable pattern of management of oral ulcers and thrush, or of knowledge of the link between these lesions with underlying diseases, by SES and metropolitan locations (Chi Squared, Fisher Exact, p>0.05). Conclusion: The result of this study strengthens the current view of pharmacists as oral health advisors as they encounter oral problems regularly, most commonly oral ulcers and oral thrush. Therefore, the pharmacist can play an important role in the early detection of HIV and oral cancer. However many pharmacists fail to refer these cases to a dentist. Most pharmacists lacked specific knowledge about the relationship of oral ulcers and thrush with underlying conditions, which may explain why many pharmacists are not managing these cases correctly. There is a definite need to train pharmacists at both an under- and post-graduate level with specific emphasis on the proper management of oral ulcers, oral thrush and mouth sores, as well as comprehensive training that outlines why vigilant management of oral ulcers and oral thrush is necessary. / South Africa

Magister Pharmaceuticae - MPharm / Prior to 2007, South Africa’s government became concerned about the loss and inability to retain certain professionals in its employment. Health human resources were distributed in favour of the private sector and urban areas while rural areas survived on a meagre portion of health employees. In 2007, the government introduced a re-designed remuneration structure for individual skilled professions namely, Occupation Specific Dispensation (OSD), with the goal to attract and retain professionals. This study qualitatively explores the perceptions of public sector employment (PSE) by pharmacists to extract how OSD-policy may or may not be succeeding. It also investigates the opinions of pharmacists on the promotional structure of OSD and opportunity for career advancement (CA) as a possible indication of organisational commitment. Participants were recruited from four career streams in OSD’s structure, all employed in the Department of Health, Provincial Government of the Western Cape. In the first stage of data collection, one-on-one interviews were conducted with key-informants which consisted of policy specialists (n=2) and management (n=2). In the second stage, focus group interviews were conducted comprising of production and supervisory pharmacists (n=27). Sampling strategies encompassed purposive, snowball and stratified sampling to ensure saturation of data and provide comparisons between groups and sub-groups. Thematic analysis of interview transcripts was performed using inductive coding in the first stage and apriori coding in the second stage. Themes and sub-themes were “reflexed” onto Human Resource and Work Motivation Theory by engaging a three question reflexive framework to ensure consistency in the interpretation of results. Eleven major themes emerged: overlapping of salary grades; variety of positions; being a manager of professionals; envisioning promotion; pay versus responsibility; pay equity and expectancy; OSD and attraction; OSD and retention; over-time and after-hours remuneration; interpreting OSD; and using unions to negotiate policy for professionals. 41 sub-themes that emerged were positively, negatively or neutrally connected to perceptions of PSE or CA. Positive sub-themes of PSE is that OSD has “ensured that entry level positions are extremely attractive” and OSD is “attracting more junior pharmacists to management positions”. Negative sub-themes of PSE include that a “retention strategy for experienced pharmacists tends to be neglected” and “some work related factors may nullify retention strategies”. Negative or stagnant perceptions of PSE produce an image that fails to care for individual employee needs and tarnishes the image of public sector employment. Positive sub-themes of CA are that OSD now “permits individual freedom of career path choice” and OSD “has created a variety positions through a broadened post structure”. Negative subthemes of CA are that “experienced pharmacists stagnate in their career” and “supervisors have a lot more responsibilities but get paid the same as production pharmacists”. Since the perception of career mobility is related to organizational commitment and retention, negative perceptions of career advancement may result in apprehension to develop via promotion or career path change. This can lead to employee boredom, complacency or frustration of career ambitions and eventual loss of staff. Some aspects of OSD, such as overlapping of salary grades, should be addressed by policy-developers to ensure the successful accomplishment of policy goals.

Magister Scientiae - MSc (Pharmacy Administration and Policy Regulation) / Technological advancements applied to healthcare may holistically improve the economic burden of prescription medication costs. United States legislative actions requiring utilization of electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) will drive provider utilization to decrease healthcare spending. Federal and state e-prescribe requirements have been met with resistance by the prescribing community, due to claims that the requirements create an economic burden for them. This research intends to demonstrate the long-term economic value of electronic prescribing regulations across the healthcare spectrum.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Introduction: the qualified practice of Dispensing is fundamental to the promotion of the rational use of medicines. Documentation is an indicator of quality and one of the essential steps in the care process. However, in Brazil there are no documentation models applicable to the practice of Dispensing. Objectives: to develop and validate an instrument to document the practice of dispensing prescribed medicines Methods: a methodological development study was carried out from February 2017 to October 2017, in two phases: (i) development of an instrument and (ii) content validation of the developed instrument. The development phase comprised three stages: (i) prototype development based on a systematic review; (ii) brainstorming and (iii) pre-Delphi. Subsequently, the validation process of the instrument content was performed through the Delphi technique. The instrument was sent to 40 experts, which all had overall experience in Dispensing, via the online platform Google Forms. The judges were instructed to evaluate the instrument according to the structure and content. Consensus was calculated using the Content Validity Index (CVI) and the items scored with CVI values >0.80. The present study was approved by the Ethics and Research Committee of the Federal University of Sergipe and all participants signed a Free and Informed Consent Term (TCLE). Results: the development stage generated three versions of the instrument: prototype; version 1 (changed after brainstorming) and version 2 (changed after pre-Delphi). In the content validation process of version 2 of the instrument, 23 experts returned their evaluation in the first round of Delphi (rate of return of 57.5%) and 17 in the second (rate of return of 73.9%). All items obtained IVC> 0.83, being considered validated. The final instrument comprised the following sections: general information, identification of technical and legal problems of prescription, conduct for the resolution of technical and legal problems of prescription, dispensed medicines, suspected drug related problem (DRP), verbal guidance, written guidance, routing and routing result. Conclusion: the instrument, developed and validated, presents the main variables that are provided in the Dispensing process. Thus, the proposed instrument can be useful to qualify this service and to improve the care process. / Introdução: a prática qualificada da Dispensação é fundamental para a promoção do uso racional de medicamentos. A documentação é um indicador de qualidade e um dos passos essenciais no processo de cuidado. No entanto, no Brasil não existem modelos de documentação aplicáveis à prática de Dispensação. Objetivos: desenvolver e validar um instrumento para documentar a prática da Dispensação de medicamentos prescritos. Métodos: foi realizado um estudo de desenvolvimento metodológico de fevereiro de 2017 a outubro de 2017, em duas fases: (i) desenvolvimento de um instrumento e (ii) validação de conteúdo o instrumento desenvolvido. A fase de desenvolvimento compreendeu três etapas: (i) desenvolvimento de protótipo baseado em uma revisão sistemática previamente realizada; (ii) brainstorming e (iii) pré-Delphi. Posteriormente foi realizado o processo de validação de conteúdo do instrumento por meio da técnica Delphi. O instrumento foi enviado a 40 especialistas, com experiência em Dispensação, no formato online, via plataforma Google Forms. Os mesmos foram instruídos a avaliarem o instrumento de acordo com a forma e o conteúdo. O consenso foi calculado por meio do Índice de validade de conteúdo (IVC) e os itens foram considerados validados com valores de IVC > 0,80. O presente estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética e Pesquisa da Universidade Federal de Sergipe e todos os participantes assinaram um Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido (TCLE). Resultados: na etapa de desenvolvimento foram geradas três versões do instrumento: protótipo; versão 1 (alterado após o brainstorming acadêmico) e versão 2 (alterado após o pré-Delphi). No processo de validação de conteúdo da versão 2 do instrumento, 23 especialistas retornaram sua avaliação na primeira rodada do Delphi (taxa de retorno de 57,5%) e 17 na segunda (taxa de retorno de 73,9%). Todos os itens obtiveram IVC > 0,83, sendo considerados validados. O instrumento final compreendeu as seguintes seções: informações gerais, identificação de problemas técnicos e legais da prescrição, conduta para a resolução de problemas técnicos e legais da prescrição, medicamentos dispensados, suspeita de problema relacionado ao medicamento (PRM), orientação verbal, orientação escrita, encaminhamento e resultado do encaminhamento. Conclusão: o instrumento desenvolvido e validado apresenta as principais variáveis que devem ser documentadas durante o processo da Dispensação. Assim, o instrumento proposto poderá ser uma ferramenta útil para qualificar esse serviço e aprimorar o processo de cuidado. / São Cristóvão, SE