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Journal of the American Veterinary... Apr 2022The economic literature on veterinary technicians is limited, and the AVMA Task Force on Veterinary Technician Utilization has recommended increasing veterinary... (Review)
Review
The economic literature on veterinary technicians is limited, and the AVMA Task Force on Veterinary Technician Utilization has recommended increasing veterinary technician economic research in several areas. The aim of this review was to provide an economic overview of the veterinary technician profession based on intrinsic and extrinsic rewards. Data sources for this paper include articles and texts from the veterinary, human medical, and service industries concerning veterinary technicians and from economic and psychology literature. Findings of this literature review indicated that veterinary technician intrinsic and extrinsic rewards are complex. Veterinary technicians appear to find value and meaning in their job tasks, which contribute positively toward job satisfaction and self-identity. Low financial rewards, workplace incivility, and work overload appear to be problematic for the individual veterinary technician, veterinary technician profession, and veterinary industry as a whole. The economic and psychology literature indicated that changes to the profession, such as increasing veterinary technician utilization, should simultaneously incorporate the economic needs and values of veterinary technicians and veterinary practice operators.
Topics: Animal Technicians; Animals; Humans; Job Satisfaction; Reward
PubMed: 35417418
DOI: 10.2460/javma.22.01.0023 -
Vaccines Aug 2022In response to the increased demand for healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act amendments and...
In response to the increased demand for healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act amendments and guidance authorized pharmacy technicians, who are not otherwise authorized in their state, to administer the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)-recommended immunizations and COVID-19 vaccines under pharmacist order. Subsequently, many pharmacies nationwide have expanded technician duties to include immunization administration. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the attitudes and experiences associated with technician-administered immunizations among community pharmacists and technicians. The cross-sectional study evaluated the primary endpoint through the completion of anonymous surveys containing peer-reviewed questionnaires. Pharmacy technicians and their supervising pharmacists were selected to complete the survey at a grocery chain’s pharmacies located in five states across the Northeast if they completed the immunization program and administered at least one immunization. Surveys were drafted using Microsoft Forms and results were analyzed using Microsoft Excel. Chi-squared tests were utilized for comparing categorical variables between groups. A total of 268 survey responses were obtained; 171 responses came from pharmacists and 97 responses came from immunization-certified technicians. Most pharmacists and pharmacy technicians responded that technicians could safely administer vaccines (87.1% and 96.9%, respectively) and competently process and bill vaccine services (90.6% and 99.0%, respectively). In addition, both participant populations responded that technician-administered vaccines improved the workflow of vaccine services (76.6% and 82.5%, respectively) without increasing the likelihood of vaccine errors (56.1% and 78.3%, respectively). When compared with technicians, fewer pharmacists were confident in a technician’s ability to competently prepare vaccines (63.7% vs. 91.8%; p < 0.001). A statistically significant association was observed between responses regarding an efficient process for immunizing patients and the likelihood of technician vaccination errors (χ2 = 14.36; p < 0.01). Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians responded that technicians competently administer immunizations and should participate in more patient-care duties. Multiple states are enacting legislation to include technician vaccine administration as a permanent component of their scope of practice.
PubMed: 36016241
DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10081354 -
Anesthesia Progress Jun 2022
Topics: Dental Technicians; Dentists; Humans; Oral Health
PubMed: 35849807
DOI: 10.2344/anpr-69-02-15 -
Journal of the American Pharmacists... 2022A busy pharmacy workload may limit a pharmacist's ability to meet the needs of vaccine-willing patients and also contribute to missed opportunities to engage with... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
A busy pharmacy workload may limit a pharmacist's ability to meet the needs of vaccine-willing patients and also contribute to missed opportunities to engage with vaccine hesitant individuals. Opportunities for pharmacy technicians to support vaccination services may play a role in addressing increasing patient vaccination needs.
PURPOSE
This research aims to review the role of pharmacy technicians in vaccination services that is supported by pharmacy practice research to date.
METHODS
In compliance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocols, systematic searches were performed in PubMed, Embase, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, Scopus, and CINAHL. Articles published through June 2020, in French, English, and Spanish, were screened for eligibility. Two independent reviewers screened titles and abstracts for inclusion. Data extraction of included study methodologies and results was performed by one reviewer and verified by a second reviewer.
RESULTS
A total of 656 records were identified through the search of published literature. Full-text screening of 145 records identified 14 articles for inclusion. Most articles evaluated emerging pharmacy technician roles in patient screening (n = 8, 53%) and vaccine administration (n = 5, 36%). Implementation of both emerging roles demonstrated positive patient outcomes (n = 10, 72%). Screening activities were complicated by the complexity of the role, as well as its potential to increase overall time spent on vaccination services. Pharmacists and technicians advocated for accredited vaccine administration training owing to consistent benefits in pharmacy workflow efficiency, pharmacist clinical time, and pharmacy technician job satisfaction.
CONCLUSION
This review supports the effective deployment of pharmacy technicians in delivering vaccination services. Despite pharmacy technician vaccine administration roles being highly regulated, professional advocacy by pharmacists and technicians can use the advantageous training, workflow, and patient outcomes benefits presented in this review. Early adopters of professional practice advancements for pharmacy technician vaccine administration may expand vaccination service capacity efficiently and safely, thereby reaching more patients.
Topics: Humans; Pharmacies; Pharmacists; Pharmacy Service, Hospital; Pharmacy Technicians; Professional Role; Vaccination
PubMed: 34663566
DOI: 10.1016/j.japh.2021.09.016 -
Seminars in Hearing May 2020Hearing healthcare outreach in developing countries is ill defined and inundated with sustainability challenges. One method to facilitate sustainable efforts is by... (Review)
Review
Hearing healthcare outreach in developing countries is ill defined and inundated with sustainability challenges. One method to facilitate sustainable efforts is by training local personnel on certain aspects of hearing healthcare. The purpose of this descriptive study was to identify the challenges and successes of an audio-technician training program conducted in various regions throughout Guatemala. A collaboration was created between Healing the Children, Centro de Audicion, the University of Washington, and Gallaudet University to create a learning environment for Guatemalan audio-technicians and audiology graduate students. Administration of the audio-technician training component of this program began in 2008 and continues today. Challenges and successes were identified around five themes: (1) audio-technician recruitment and skills upon entering training program; (2) practical and logistical components of clinical training; (3) collaboration and resources for ongoing care; (4) funding for travel, time, and accommodation for personnel involved in training sessions; and (5) cultural differences surrounding our approach to hearing healthcare and training. Approaches to overcome the barriers identified and future directions are discussed.
PubMed: 32269414
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1708507 -
Journal of Visualized Experiments : JoVE Mar 2022Electrocochleography (ECochG) measures inner ear potentials generated in response to acoustic stimulation of the ear. These potentials reflect the residual function of...
Electrocochleography (ECochG) measures inner ear potentials generated in response to acoustic stimulation of the ear. These potentials reflect the residual function of the cochlea. In cochlear implant candidates with residual hearing, the implant electrode can directly measure ECochG responses during the implantation process. Various authors have described the ability to monitor the inner ear function by continuous ECochG measurements during the surgery. The measurement of ECochG signals during surgery is not trivial. There are no interpretable signals in up to 20% of cases. For a successful recording, a standardized procedure is recommended to achieve the highest measurement reliability and avoid possible pitfalls. Therefore, seamless collaboration between the CI surgeon and CI technician is key. This video consists of an overview of the system setup and a stepwise procedure of performing intracochlear ECochG measurements during CI surgery. It shows the surgeon's and the CI technician's roles in the process, and how a smooth collaboration between the two is made possible.
Topics: Audiometry, Evoked Response; Cochlea; Cochlear Implantation; Cochlear Implants; Reproducibility of Results
PubMed: 35343956
DOI: 10.3791/63153 -
Journal of Oral Science Oct 2022The Japanese Health, Labour, and Welfare Ministry in 2020 identified the following issues for training and recruitment of dental technicians: early involvement of...
The Japanese Health, Labour, and Welfare Ministry in 2020 identified the following issues for training and recruitment of dental technicians: early involvement of students in dental practice and dental laboratory work, a curriculum in line with the times, and an extension of the years of training. This paper investigates the education and qualifications of dental technicians in other countries to discuss these issues. The survey method was to use the database PubMed to search the literature since 2001 using the keywords "dental technician," "education," and license" to collect literature related to the pre-graduate education of dental technicians. Information on educational institutions was also included in the survey. The results showed that the countries that introduced joint education between dental technicians and dentists into their educational programs, and the examinations and years of training required for each certification varied from country to country. The curriculum for dental technicians in Japan changed from a time-based to a credit-based system on April 1, 2018. The credit system is characterized by the possibility of each training institution actively engaging in flexible curriculum organization. Dental technician education programs in other countries can provide a valuable reference for each training institute to demonstrate its uniqueness.
Topics: Certification; Curriculum; Dental Technicians; Humans; Japan
PubMed: 35850993
DOI: 10.2334/josnusd.22-0173 -
The Journal of Pharmacy Technology :... Dec 2015To provide a background on pharmacy informatics and the current role of the pharmacy technician, as well as to review the different technologies that pharmacy... (Review)
Review
To provide a background on pharmacy informatics and the current role of the pharmacy technician, as well as to review the different technologies that pharmacy technicians utilize in routine practice and identify opportunities for pharmacy technicians to assist pharmacists in the practice of pharmacy informatics. Articles were identified through searches of MEDLINE/PubMed (1946-March 2015) with the following search terms: pharmacy informatics and technician, medical informatics and technician, and technician informaticists. Additionally, informatics resources from the American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists were used. Articles that discussed the pharmacy technician's and/or other pharmacy staff's role in medical or pharmacy informatics were considered for inclusion. Several roles for the pharmacy technician were identified and reviewed in the literature and subsequently categorized based on the following identified themes: pharmacy technician informaticists, health-system pharmacy technicians, and community pharmacy technicians. As the field of pharmacy informatics continues to grow, pharmacy technicians will continue to play an integral role at various levels of pharmacy practice.
PubMed: 34860869
DOI: 10.1177/8755122515605517