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Cancer Causes & Control : CCC Dec 2023To assess preferences for design of a pharmacy-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening program (PharmFIT™) among screening-eligible adults in the United States (US)...
PURPOSE
To assess preferences for design of a pharmacy-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening program (PharmFIT™) among screening-eligible adults in the United States (US) and explore the impact of rurality on pharmacy use patterns (e.g., pharmacy type, prescription pick-up preference, service quality rating).
METHODS
We conducted a national online survey of non-institutionalized US adults through panels managed by Qualtrics, a survey research company. A total of 1,045 adults (response rate 62%) completed the survey between March and April 2021. Sampling quotas matched respondents to the 2010 US Census and oversampled rural residents. We assessed pharmacy use patterns by rurality and design preferences for learning about PharmFIT™; receiving a FIT kit from a pharmacy; and completing and returning the FIT kit.
RESULTS
Pharmacy use patterns varied, with some notable differences across rurality. Rural respondents used local, independently owned pharmacies more than non-rural respondents (20.4%, 6.3%, p < 0.001) and rated pharmacy service quality higher than non-rural respondents. Non-rural respondents preferred digital communication to learn about PharmFIT™ (36% vs 47%; p < 0.001) as well as digital FIT counseling (41% vs 49%; p = 0.02) more frequently than rural participants. Preferences for receiving and returning FITs were associated with pharmacy use patterns: respondents who pick up prescriptions in-person preferred to get their FIT (OR 7.7; 5.3-11.2) and return it in-person at the pharmacy (OR 1.7; 1.1-2.4).
CONCLUSION
Pharmacies are highly accessible and could be useful for expanding access to CRC screening services. Local context and pharmacy use patterns should be considered in the design and implementation of PharmFIT™.
Topics: Adult; Humans; United States; Pharmacies; Patient Preference; Early Detection of Cancer; Pharmaceutical Services; Pharmacy; Colorectal Neoplasms
PubMed: 37072526
DOI: 10.1007/s10552-023-01687-x -
The Journal of Pharmacy Technology :... Apr 2024Patient case simulation software are described in pharmacy education literature as useful tools to improve skills in patient assessment (including medication... (Review)
Review
Patient case simulation software are described in pharmacy education literature as useful tools to improve skills in patient assessment (including medication history-taking and physical assessment), clinical reasoning and communication, and are typically well-received by students and instructors. The virtual interactive case (VIC) system is a web-based software developed to deliver deliberate practice opportunities in simulated patient encounters across a spectrum of clinical topics. This article describes the implementation and utilization of VIC in the undergraduate curriculum at one Canadian pharmacy school. Methods: At our facility, the use of VIC was integrated across the training spectrum in the curriculum, including core and elective didactic courses and practice labs, experiential learning, interprofessional education, and continuing education. Its use was evaluated through student and instructor surveys and qualitative student interviews). VIC is easy to navigate and created a positive and realistic learning environment. Students identified that it enhanced their ability to identify relevant patient information, accurately simulated hospital pharmacy practice and thereby helped them to prepare for their upcoming experiential courses. The use of VIC has expanded beyond its original intended purpose for individual student practice to become a valuable addition to pharmacy undergraduate education. Future plans include ongoing development of cases and exploration of further uses of VIC within the didactic curriculum, for remediation in experiential courses, and for pharmacist continuing education.
PubMed: 38525092
DOI: 10.1177/87551225231224627 -
Exploratory Research in Clinical and... Dec 2023Community pharmacists are ideally positioned to play a key role in promoting self-care behaviors through judicious use of self-care interventions. As highlighted by the...
Community pharmacists are ideally positioned to play a key role in promoting self-care behaviors through judicious use of self-care interventions. As highlighted by the International Pharmaceutical Federation, supporting effective self-care is a key strategy for pharmacists to contribute to the sustainability of healthcare systems. Despite recent positive developments in national health policies, Egypt does not have a clear self-care strategy and policy. It also has no national programs focusing on community pharmacists and self-care, important components that future health policy initiatives should tackle. This commentary explores self-care policies, strategies, and developments in the Egyptian community pharmacy practice context. It describes national research, roles, and challenges within the current model of community pharmacy practice and education concerning self-care. It addresses opportunities that Egyptian community pharmacy has to support self-care in light of the anticipated changes in the Egyptian healthcare system. Noting that success in the delivery of self-care interventions within community pharmacies is associated with key factors, recommendations are suggested for community pharmacy stakeholders to address such factors guided by the World Health Organization's implementation considerations for individuals' health needs and self-care-related health system challenges (agency, availability, quality, cost, information, accessibility, utilization, social support, acceptability, and efficiency).
PubMed: 38146318
DOI: 10.1016/j.rcsop.2023.100384 -
BMC Medical Education Jun 2023In Southeast Asia, pharmacies are critical sources of healthcare advice for under-served communities, including those with/at risk of diabetes.
BACKGROUND
In Southeast Asia, pharmacies are critical sources of healthcare advice for under-served communities, including those with/at risk of diabetes.
AIM
Explore knowledge/practices relating to diabetes and blood glucose monitoring (BGM) among pharmacy professionals in Cambodia and Viet Nam, using digital professional education to address gaps.
METHODS
An online survey was distributed to pharmacy professionals in Cambodia and Viet Nam registered on SwipeRx mobile application. Eligible participants dispensed medicines and/or were involved in purchasing products, and worked at retail pharmacies stocking ≥ 1 BGM product. An accredited continuing professional development module was then made available to pharmacy professionals and students on SwipeRx in both countries. After completing the 1-2 h module, users were required to correctly answer ≥ 60% (Cambodia) or ≥ 70% (Viet Nam) of knowledge assessment questions to achieve accreditation units from local partners.
RESULTS
Whereas 33% of survey respondents in Cambodia (N = 386) and 63% in Viet Nam (N = 375) reported performing blood glucose testing at the pharmacy, only 19% and 14% were aware that clients taking multiple daily doses of insulin should check blood glucose levels several times a day. Of 1,137 and 399 pharmacy professionals/students who completed the module and passed the assessment in Cambodia and Viet Nam, 1,124 (99%) and 376 (94%) received accreditation. Knowledge levels improved substantially in 10 of 14 learning areas in Cambodia and 6 of 10 in Viet Nam.
CONCLUSIONS
Digital education can strengthen pharmacy professional capacity to provide comprehensive and accurate information on diabetes management and the awareness of quality BGM products in Southeast Asia.
Topics: Humans; Pharmacies; Blood Glucose; Cambodia; Vietnam; Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring; Pharmacy; Diabetes Mellitus
PubMed: 37386440
DOI: 10.1186/s12909-023-04449-0 -
Journal of Managed Care & Specialty... Oct 2023The AMCP Poster Abstract Program provides a forum for authors to share their research with the managed care pharmacy community. Authors submit their abstracts to AMCP,...
The AMCP Poster Abstract Program provides a forum for authors to share their research with the managed care pharmacy community. Authors submit their abstracts to AMCP, and each abstract is reviewed by a team of peer reviewers and editors. All accepted abstracts are presented as posters at AMCP's Annual and Nexus meetings. These abstracts are also available through the AMCP meeting app. This JMCP supplement publishes all abstracts that were peer reviewed and accepted for presentation at AMCP NEXUS 2023. Abstracts submitted in the Student and Encore categories did not undergo peer review; therefore, these abstracts are not included in the supplement.
Topics: Humans; Academies and Institutes; Community Pharmacy Services; Managed Care Programs; Pharmacies; Pharmacy
PubMed: 37792397
DOI: 10.18553/jmcp.2023.29.10-a.s1 -
BMC Infectious Diseases Aug 2023Point-of-care testing (POCT) using rapid diagnostic tests for infectious disease can potentially guide appropriate use of antimicrobials, reduce antimicrobial... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Point-of-care testing (POCT) using rapid diagnostic tests for infectious disease can potentially guide appropriate use of antimicrobials, reduce antimicrobial resistance, and economise use of healthcare resources. POCT implementation in private retail settings such as pharmacies and drug shops could lessen the burden on public healthcare. We performed a narrative review on studies of POCTs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and explored uptake, impact on treatment, and feasibility of implementation.
METHODS
We searched MEDLINE/PubMed for interventional studies on the implementation of POCT for infectious diseases performed by personnel in private retail settings. Data were extracted and analysed by two independent reviewers.
RESULTS
Of the 848 studies retrieved, 23 were included in the review. Studies were on malaria (19/23), malaria and pneumonia (3/23) or respiratory tract infection (1/23). Nine randomised controlled studies, four controlled, non-randomised studies, five uncontrolled interventions, one interventional pre-post study, one cross-over interventional study and three retrospective analyses of RCTs were included. Study quality was poor. Overall, studies showed that POCT can be implemented successfully, leading to improvements in appropriate treatment as measured by outcomes like adherence to treatment guidelines. Despite some concerns by health workers, customers and shop providers were welcoming of POCT implementation in private retail settings. Main themes that arose from the review included the need for well-structured training with post-training certification covering guidelines for test-negative patients, integrated waste management, community sensitization and demand generation activities, financial remuneration and pricing schemes for providers, and formal linkage to healthcare and support.
CONCLUSION
Our review found evidence that POCT can be implemented successfully in private retail settings in LMICs, but comprehensive protocols are needed. High-quality randomised studies are needed to understand POCTs for infectious diseases other than malaria.
Topics: Humans; Health Facilities; Pharmacies; Pharmacy; Point-of-Care Testing; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 37612636
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08480-w -
Health Expectations : An International... Oct 2023Cultural competence is an important attribute underpinning interactions between healthcare professionals, such as pharmacists, and patients from ethnic minority...
'Creating a culturally competent pharmacy profession': A qualitative exploration of pharmacy staff perspectives of cultural competence and its training in community pharmacy settings.
INTRODUCTION
Cultural competence is an important attribute underpinning interactions between healthcare professionals, such as pharmacists, and patients from ethnic minority communities. Health- and medicines-related inequalities affecting people from underrepresented ethnic groups, such as poorer access to healthcare services and poorer overall treatment outcomes in comparison to their White counterparts, have been widely discussed in the literature. Community pharmacies are the first port of call for healthcare services accessed by diverse patient populations; yet, limited research exists which explores the perceptions of culturally competent care within the profession, or the delivery of cultural competence training to community pharmacy staff. This research seeks to gather perspectives of community pharmacy teams relating to cultural competence and identify possible approaches for the adoption of cultural competence training.
METHODS
Semistructured interviews were conducted in-person, over the telephone or via video call, between October and December 2022. Perspectives on cultural competence and training were discussed. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The reflexive thematic analysis enabled the development of themes. QSR NVivo (Version 12) facilitated data management. Ethical approval was obtained from the Newcastle University Ethics Committee (reference: 25680/2022).
RESULTS
Fourteen participants working in community pharmacies were interviewed, including eight qualified pharmacists, one foundation trainee pharmacist, three pharmacy technicians/dispensers and two counter assistants. Three themes were developed from the data which centred on (1) defining and appreciating cultural competency within pharmacy services; (2) identifying pharmacies as 'cultural hubs' for members of the diverse, local community and (3) delivering cultural competence training for the pharmacy profession.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study offer new insights and suggestions on the delivery of cultural competence training to community pharmacy staff, students and trainees entering the profession. Collaborative co-design approaches between patients and pharmacy staff could enable improved design, implementation and delivery of culturally competent pharmacy services.
PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION
The Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement group at Newcastle University had input in the study design and conceptualisation. Two patient champions inputted to ensure that the study was conducted, and the findings were reported, with cultural sensitivity.
Topics: Humans; Cultural Competency; Pharmacies; Ethnicity; Community Pharmacy Services; Minority Groups; Pharmacists; Pharmacy; Professional Role
PubMed: 37357812
DOI: 10.1111/hex.13803 -
Drug and Alcohol Dependence Aug 2023Fentanyl- and methamphetamine-based counterfeit prescription drugs have driven escalating overdose death rates in the US, however their presence in Mexico has not been...
BACKGROUND
Fentanyl- and methamphetamine-based counterfeit prescription drugs have driven escalating overdose death rates in the US, however their presence in Mexico has not been assessed. Our ethnographic team has conducted longitudinal research focused on illicit drug markets in Northern Mexico since 2018. In 2021-2022, study participants described the arrival of new, unusually potent tablets sold as ostensibly controlled substances, without a prescription, directly from pharmacies that cater to US tourists.
AIMS
To characterize the availability of counterfeit and authentic controlled substances at pharmacies in Northern Mexico available to English-speaking tourists without a prescription.
METHODS
We employed an iterative, exploratory, mixed methods design. Longitudinal ethnographic data was used to characterize tourist-oriented micro-neighborhoods and guide the selection of n=40 pharmacies in n=4 cities in Northern Mexico. In each pharmacy, samples of "oxycodone", "Xanax", and "Adderall" were sought as single pills, during English-language encounters, after which detailed ethnographic accounts were recorded. We employed immunoassay-based testing strips to check each pill for the presence of fentanyls, benzodiazepines, amphetamines, and methamphetamines. We used Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy to further characterize drug contents.
RESULTS
Of n=40 pharmacies, one or more of the requested controlled substances could be obtained with no prescription (as single pills or in bottles) at 28 (70.0%) and as single pills at 19 (47.5%). Counterfeit pills were obtained at 11 pharmacies (27.5%). Of n=45 samples sold as one-off controlled substances, 18 were counterfeit. 7 of 11 (63.6%) samples sold as "Adderall" contained methamphetamine, 8 of 27 (29.6%) samples sold as "Oxycodone" contained fentanyl, and 3 "Oxycodone" samples contained heroin. Pharmacies providing counterfeit drugs were uniformly located in tourist-serving micro-neighborhoods, and generally featured English-language advertisements for erectile dysfunction medications and "painkillers". Pharmacy employees occasionally expressed concern about overdose risk and provided harm reduction guidance.
DISCUSSION
The availability of fentanyl-, heroin-, and methamphetamine-based counterfeit medications in tourist-oriented independent pharmacies in Northern Mexico represents a public health risk, and occurs in the context of 1) the normalization of medical tourism as a response to rising unaffordability of healthcare in the US, 2) plummeting rates of opioid prescription in the US, affecting both chronic pain patients and the availability of legitimate pharmaceuticals on the unregulated market, 3) the rise of fentanyl-based counterfeit opioids as a key driver of the fourth, and deadliest-to-date, wave of the opioid crisis. It was not possible to distinguish counterfeit medications based on appearance of pills or geography of pharmacies, because identically-appearing authentic and counterfeit versions were often sold in close geographic proximity. Nevertheless, people who consume drugs may be more trusting of controlled substances purchased directly from pharmacies. Due to Mexico's limited opioid overdose surveillance infrastructure, the current death rate from these substances remains unknown.
Topics: Male; Humans; Heroin; Fentanyl; Controlled Substances; Pharmacies; Mexico; Analgesics, Opioid; Drug Overdose; Methamphetamine; Oxycodone
PubMed: 37348270
DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.110819 -
Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and... Oct 2023Community pharmacists form a vital part of the health system all around the globe. Pharmacy remuneration models are aimed to ensure that pharmacies are sustained, and... (Review)
Review
Community pharmacists form a vital part of the health system all around the globe. Pharmacy remuneration models are aimed to ensure that pharmacies are sustained, and pharmacists could provide cost-effective services to the patients. This review summarizes the pharmacy services remuneration systems from different parts of the globe. Some countries have well-established reimbursement systems that recognize and compensate community pharmacies for their services, others are in the process of expanding the scope of reimbursable services. It further concludes by highlighting the ongoing efforts to incorporate pharmacist-provided services into reimbursement schemes and the need for standardized and consistent approaches to pharmacy remuneration globally.
PubMed: 37814349
DOI: 10.1186/s40545-023-00626-0 -
Journal of the American Pharmacists... 2023The unprecedented coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has generated worldwide impacts while positioning community pharmacies as easily accessible immunizers to...
BACKGROUND
The unprecedented coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has generated worldwide impacts while positioning community pharmacies as easily accessible immunizers to rollout the COVID-19 vaccine.
OBJECTIVES
This study describes community pharmacists' experiences, success stories, and lessons learned from providing COVID-19 immunization services.
METHODS
This study was conducted in February to March 2022 using semistructured interviews with licensed pharmacists practicing full-time in Alabama community pharmacies. Transcribed interviews' content analysis was conducted by 2 independent coders in ATLAS.ti software.
RESULTS
Nineteen interviews were completed. Pharmacists' experiences in the implementation of COVID-19 immunization services are described across 4 themes: (1) on-site and off-site immunization locations, (2) roles and responsibilities of pharmacy personnel, (3) vaccine storage and administration, and (4) vaccine waste reduction and immunization uptake strategies. This study found that pharmacists' ability to adapt is vital to maintaining their ability to offer immunization services and other services. Pharmacists' capacity for adapting is exemplified through their ability to acclimate to becoming a primary hub of outpatient health care services, accommodating to COVID-19 social distancing and vaccine guidelines, and disseminating a novel vaccine with varying supply and demand. In addition, pharmacies gathered and maintained waitlists of patients and adopted an appointment-based model as to predict, plan, and provide for patients. Pharmacists also used reactive techniques and workflow aspects to dissuade COVID-19 vaccine waste such as in contacting interested patients on waitlists or switching to a walk-in acceptance model. The COVID-19 pandemic elicited unprecedented alterations to the legal, health care responsibilities granted to pharmacy staff with participants describing pharmacy technicians as making a considerable impact to pharmacies' workflow.
CONCLUSIONS
Pharmacists stepped up as frontline providers during a time of public health emergency with their diverse experiences granting policy makers and researchers much to learn from as, in their communities, pharmacists have continued to increase access to care during a national health crisis.
PubMed: 37394061
DOI: 10.1016/j.japh.2023.06.022