bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Overheard Cell-Phone Conversations
Authors: Emberson Lauren L. , Lupyan Gary , Goldstein Michael H. , Spivey Michael J.
Published: October 2010

Why are people more irritated by nearby cell-phone conversations than by conversations between two people who are physically present? Overhearing someone on a cell phone means hearing only half of a conversation—a “halfalogue.” We show that merely overhearing a halfalogue results in decreased performance on cognitive tasks designed to reflect the attentional demands of daily activities. By contrast, overhearing both sides of a cell-phone conversation or a monologue does not result in decreased performance. This may be because the content of a halfalogue is less predictable than both sides of a conversation. In a second experiment, we controlled for differences in acoustic factors between these types of overheard speech, establishing that it is the unpredictable informational content of halfalogues that results in distraction. Thus, we provide a cognitive explanation for why overheard cell-phone conversations are especially irritating: Less-predictable speech results in more distraction for a listener engaged in other tasks.
Spatial Resolution of Conscious Visual Perception in Infants
Authors: Farzin Faraz , Rivera Susan M. , Whitney David
Published: October 2010

Humans’ conscious awareness of objects in their visual periphery is limited. This limit is not entirely the result of reduced visual acuity. Rather, it is primarily caused by crowding—the difficulty identifying an object when it is surrounded by clutter. The effect of crowding on visual awareness in infants has yet to be explored. Do infants, for example, have a fine-grained “spotlight,” as adults do, or do infants have a diffuse “lantern” that sets limits on what they can register in their visual periphery? We designed an eye-tracking paradigm to psychophysically measure crowding in infants between 6 months and 15 months of age. We showed infants pairs of faces at three eccentricities, in the presence or absence of flankers, and recorded infants’ first saccade from central fixation to either face. Infants could discriminate faces in the periphery, and flankers impaired this ability. We found that the effective spatial resolution of infants’ visual perception increased with age, but was only half that of adults.
How Magic Changes Our Expectations About Autism
Authors: Kuhn Gustav , Kourkoulou Anastasia , Leekam Susan R.
Published: October 2010

In the vanishing-ball illusion, the magician’s social cues misdirect the audience’s expectations and attention so that the audience “sees” a ball vanish in the air. Because individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are less sensitive to social cues and have superior perception for nonsocial details compared with typically developing individuals, we predicted that they would be less susceptible to the illusion. Surprisingly, the opposite result was found, as individuals with ASD were more susceptible to the illusion than a comparison group. Eye-tracking data indicated that subtle temporal delays in allocating attention might explain their heightened susceptibility. Additionally, although individuals with ASD showed typical patterns of looking to the magician’s face and eyes, they were slower to launch their first saccade to the face and had difficulty in fixating the fast-moving observable ball. Considered together, the results indicate that individuals with ASD have difficulties in rapidly allocating attention toward both people and moving objects.
A Spontaneous Self-Reference Effect in Memory
Authors: Kesebir Selin , Oishi Shigehiro
Published: October 2010

The self-reference effect in memory is defined as the memory advantage for materials that have been processed in relation to the self. Existing demonstrations of the self-reference effect rely on laboratory stimuli and use explicit cues to prompt self-relevant encoding. In three studies, we used participants’ memories for birthdays to document a naturalistic case of the self-reference effect that did not depend on explicit self-cues. In Study 1, the birthdays that participants free-recalled were closer on average to their own birthday than would be expected by chance. In Study 2, participants were more likely to remember the birthday of a friend if the friend’s birthday was close to their own, and they were more likely to forget the friend’s birthday if it was distant. In Study 3, we demonstrated experimentally that the self-reference effect occurs for newly introduced individuals. Our findings suggest that the self-reference effect can occur spontaneously in the absence of explicit self-cues if the material to be learned automatically activates self-relevant information.
Stereotype Threat Affects Financial Decision Making
Authors: Carr Priyanka B. , Steele Claude M.
Published: October 2010

The research presented in this article provides the first evidence that one’s decision making can be influenced by concerns about stereotypes and the devaluation of one’s identity. Many studies document gender differences in decision making, and often attribute these differences to innate and stable factors, such as biological and hormonal differences. In three studies, we found that stereotype threat affected decision making and led to gender differences in loss-aversion and risk-aversion behaviors. In Study 1, women subjected to stereotype threat in academic and business settings were more loss averse than both men and women who were not facing the threat of being viewed in light of negative stereotypes. We found no gender differences in loss-aversion behavior in the absence of stereotype threat. In Studies 2a and 2b, we found the same pattern of effects for risk-aversion behavior that we had observed for loss-aversion behavior. In addition, in Study 2b, ego depletion mediated the effects of stereotype threat on women’s decision making. These results suggest that individuals’ decision making can be influenced by stereotype concerns.
Psychopaths Are Impaired in Social Exchange and Precautionary Reasoning
Authors: Ermer Elsa , Kiehl Kent A.
Published: October 2010

Psychopaths show a profound lack of morality and behavioral controls in the presence of intact general intellectual functioning. Two hallmarks of psychopathy are the persistent violation of social contracts (i.e., cheating) and chronic, impulsive risky behavior. These behaviors present a puzzle: Can psychopaths understand and reason about what counts as cheating or risky behavior in a particular situation? We tested incarcerated psychopaths’ and incarcerated nonpsychopaths’ reasoning about social contract rules, precautionary rules, and descriptive rules using the Wason selection task. Results were consistent with our hypotheses: Psychopaths (compared with matched nonpsychopaths) showed significant impairment on social contract rules and precautionary rules, but not on descriptive rules. These results cannot be accounted for by differences in intelligence, motivation, or general antisocial tendency. These findings suggest that examination of evolutionarily identified reasoning processes can be a fruitful research approach for identifying which specific mechanisms are impaired in psychopathy.
Perceptions of Self-Employment Among Mid-Career Executives in the People’s Republic of China
Authors: Singh Gangaram , Saghafi Massoud , Ehrlich Sanford , De Noble Alex
Published: October 2010

Policy makers in transitional economies have recognized the importance of self-employment as a mechanism for economic growth. Institutional support, however, lags this recognition. Individuals, therefore, must draw on their personal characteristics to venture into self-employment. We used a variety of individual characteristics to capture an important antecedent of the transition to self-employment using data from 133 mid-career Chinese executives. At the most aggregate level, hierarchical regression showed that views on self-employment are positively related to having a self-employed relative and openness to experience. A more refined analysis indicated that a variety of individual characteristics are related to perceptions of self-employment. Using these findings, we conclude that public policy will create an environment of inter-generational entrepreneurial activity. We argued, moreover, that the continued transition from state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to privately owned enterprises will require the identification, training, and development of a new breed of self-employed individual.
Angiostatic Effects of Aspirin in Hypoxia-Reoxygenation Are Linked to Modulation of TGFβ1 Signaling
Authors: Khaidakov Magomed , Szwedo Jacob , Mitra Sona , Mehta Jawahar L.
Published: October 2010

Hypoxia-reoxygenation (HR) is a major driver for angiogenesis in atherosclerotic plaques and tumors. Angiogenesis is a multistep process requiring stimulation of proliferation and migration of endothelial cells in response to a number of growth factors, including transforming growth factor (TGFβ1). Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) has been shown to reduce atherosclerosis-related events as well as development of certain tumors. We examined the role of aspirin in HR-mediated angiogenesis from human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). We found that aspirin (0.5 and 1 mmol/L) markedly (by about 30%, P < .01) reduced HR-mediated tube formation. Next, we studied changes in TGFβ1 and its type 1 receptor (TGFβ-R1) as well as in the transcription of p53 and p21 during HR-mediated angiogenesis. Hypoxia-reoxygenation modestly increased TGFβ1 and decreased its type 1 receptor (TGFβ-R1) transcription (both P-NS) and reduced the transcription of p53 and p21 (P < .05). Treatment of HUVECs with aspirin suppressed TGFβ1 and enhanced TGFβ-R1 mRNA expression during HR (both P < .05 vs HR alone) without a change in p53 and p21 (P-NS). In other experiments, treatment of cells with TGFβ1 antibody modestly decreased HR-mediated angiogenesis; however, TGFβ1 antibody treatment significantly enhanced the inhibitory effect of aspirin on tube formation. Based on these data, we suggest that the inhibitory effect of aspirin on HR-mediated angiogenesis involves TGFβ1-TGFβ-R1 pathway.
Scares of Communism: Architectural and Design Remnants of an Ideology
Authors: Kopec Dak , Lord Natalie
Published: October 2010

During the rule of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) the built environment was filled with meaning and ideological communication. Since its collapse, much of Soviet style architecture and design is being masked over or destroyed. In order to preserve this significant period in human history the architecture and design must be studied in relation to the sociopolitical climate of the era in which it was created. Hence, through an understanding of the sociopolitical culture throughout the USSR’s history and the architecture and design erected from those periods we can better understand the role of the built environment as a means of ideological communication.
Post—Mass Media Functions, Locative Media, and Informational Territories: New Ways of Thinking About Territory, Place, and Mobility in Contemporary Society
Authors: Lemos Andre
Published: October 2010

The basic underlying idea of this article can be put as follows: informational mobile technologies have enabled new means of communication and sociability based on what I call “post-mass media functions” and “informational territories.” What is at stake here is to question some visions about the relationship between informational and network technologies and place, territory, community, and mobility. I’ll argue here that new mobile technologies, under the label of “locative media,” are creating new “territorialization” (control, surveillance, tracking), convergences between physical and informational mobilities, new meanings of space, place, and location, and against the idea of anomie and isolation, new forms of sociability. To elucidate this hypothesis I will briefly examine social and communication practices with “locative media” projects in for main areas: “electronic urban annotations,” “mapping and geo-localization,” “location-based mobile games,” and “flash and smart mobs.” These projects put in evidence new understanding of territory, place, temporality, maps, mobility, and community.
Rhythms of Walking: History and Presence in a City Street
Authors: Vergunst Jo
Published: October 2010

This article draws on Lefebvre’s notion of rhythm to contribute to the theorization of embodied space and urban experience. Through gestures (learned and patterned movements), the body gathers together material and social relations in the street and produces rhythms that the ethnographer can listen to and take part in. In the article, the temporality of walking, combining past, present and future, is used to incorporate the history of a particular street in Aberdeen, Scotland, into an analysis of the walking practices of those who use it. Temporal “presence” is suggested as a mode of ethnography appropriate to shared walking, and by which both the familiar and the hidden or mysterious aspects of urban walking can be described. By engaging both with ordinary walking and more distinctive practices, the article shows how the ways that people walk in the street become part of local politics and social relations.
To Be or Not to Be a Profession: Pros, Cons and Challenges for Evaluation
Authors: Jacob Steve , Boisvert Yves
Published: October 2010

Debates on the professionalization of evaluation regularly fuel controversies. Evaluation literature contains varied points of view in favour of or against means of restricting access to the profession and quality control mechanisms. This article examines the aims pursued (e.g. institutionalization, quality improvement, ethical practice) and challenges faced by the promoters of the professionalization of evaluation. It also presents the mechanisms and means envisioned in Canada by the Société québécoise d’évaluation de programme (Québec Society of Programme Evaluation: SQEP) designed to address these points. These mechanisms include the drafting process of an evaluation charter, membership of a professional order and evaluator certification. This article is based on a documentary review and an analysis of semi-directed interviews conducted with current and former members of the SQEP and its administrative council. These results help to fuel debates in matters of the professionalization of evaluative practice which arise in most contexts where evaluation has reached a certain maturity.
Unpacking the Politics of Evaluation: A Dramaturgical Analysis
Authors: O'Brien Terri , Payne Sheila , Nolan Mike , Ingleton Christine
Published: October 2010

This article draws on a four-year evaluation that assessed the delivery of support services by 15 British hospices and social agencies to family carers of terminally ill people. It aims to examine the politics of evaluation research. Three main arguments are posited: first, that evaluation research is distinguishable from ‘quick and dirty’ evaluations, which are insufficiently resourced and not implemented properly; second, what constitutes a contribution to knowledge and particularly what constitutes ‘new’ knowledge is inherently political; third, drawing on dramaturgy theory, the article presents findings from the study that illustrate how service providers draw selectively in various ways on knowledge, to present their work favourably to their audiences. Finally, the article concludes that such knowledge manipulation raises questions about whose voices are heard within organizations, and the politics involved in the writing of grant applications, in the processes of tendering for the funding of local services.
Evaluation of Cluster Policy: A Methodological Overview
Authors: Schmiedeberg Claudia
Published: October 2010

Cluster policy is increasingly becoming part of many governments’ economic policy strategies. At the same time, evidence-based policy-making is gaining importance, bringing about a call for policy evaluation. Since the quality of the evaluation results depends highly on the method used, data, assumptions and techniques must be adequate for the specific evaluation question. This holds for cluster policy evaluation in particular, given the complexity and indirect nature of cluster policy interventions. This article provides an overview of evaluation methods suited to the ex-post analysis of cluster policy, covering both micro- and macroeconomic approaches.
What Doesn’t Work? Three Failures, Many Answers
Authors: Stame Nicoletta
Published: October 2010

Current debates on impact evaluation have addressed the question ‘what works and what doesn’t?’ mainly focussing on methodology failures when providing evidence of impact. In order to answer that question, this article contrasts different approaches to evaluation in terms of the way they address different kinds of possible failures. First, there is more to be debated than simply methodological failures: there are also programme theory failures and implementations failures. Moreover, not all methodological failures are a simple matter of selection bias. Second, the article reviews issues that have recently been raised within different approaches relative to each failure. For programme theory failure, it is a matter of complexity and providing rival explanations; for implementation failure: how to use guidelines, and how to take context into account; and for methodology failure: how to move from internal to external validity, and to syntheses, within the framework of ‘situational responsiveness’. All these issues disclose a terrain for potential exchange between the protagonists of different approaches to impact evaluation.
World Heritage and mosaic universalism
Authors: De Cesari Chiara
Published: October 2010

This article analyses UNESCO’s project of worldwide cultural heritage preservation. It does so through a double lens, an ethnographic and a textual one. I first look at the ways in which World Heritage works in Palestine/Israel. Second, I analyse the discourse of World Heritage, arguing that recent World Heritage reforms, stimulated by critiques of the Eurocentrism of its approaches, adopt the language of liberal multiculturalism. Building on critical accounts of this political discourse, I show how multicultural heritage policies not only risk affirming and solidifying cultural differences, but also the asymmetries between them. Furthermore, I argue that, paradoxically, World Heritage reinforces nation-states, and particularly state apparatuses’ reach and control over heritage sites and processes, often at the expense of the grassroots. By analysing a series of workshops in Jerusalem and Ramallah, I detail the ways in which highly innovative local Palestinian practices of heritage conservation tend to be silenced by the World Heritage mechanism, and trace a discursive process of erasure of politics and ‘locality’ from UNESCO’s representation of humanity’s heritage. I place this erasure in the context of expert anxieties regarding a contaminated universalism.
Seeing like an oil company’s CHM programme
Authors: MacEachern Scott
Published: October 2010

James Ferguson’s 2005 article ‘Seeing Like an Oil Company’ powerfully described the development of resource-extraction enclaves in African states, and the complex landscape of globally integrated and excluded territories that such enclaves produce. In this article I discuss the experience of doing cultural heritage management within one such enclave: the patchwork of protected camps, rights-of-way and air-conditioned Land-Cruisers associated with the Chad Export Project and oil production in southwestern Chad, one of the poorest countries on Earth. I will particularly examine the relationships between such ‘CHM enclaves’ and the development of national archaeological capabilities in African countries.
Power by design
Authors: Monroe J. Cameron
Published: October 2010

This article examines the role of royal architectural design in strategies to promote political order in the Kingdom of Dahomey, a major West African state which emerged in the era of the transAtlantic slave trade. Historical and ethnographic sources are marshaled to identify an underlying normative architectural tradition in Dahomean palace construction, a tradition defined by distinct zones devoted to public ritual and semi-public political negotiations. Analysis of the ground plans of six royal palace complexes from the precolonial city of Cana is then deployed to trace the evolution of the latter zone over the course of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of spatial patterns reveals an overall rise in the spatial complexity of, as well as a radical expansion in the control of movement through, royal palace complexes over time. This pattern, I argue, was part of broader material attempts to promulgate a sense of social and political order in a period defined by turbulence and unpredictability.
Embedding Employability into a Classics Curriculum
Authors: Barrow Rosemary , Behr Charlotte , Deacy Susan , Mchardy Fiona , Tempest Kathryn
Published: October 2010

Employability has become a global buzz-word: instructors in higher education are increasingly being called upon to produce highly employable students who will in turn contribute to the financial capital of the country’s economy. For vocational subjects and degrees for which clear links to industry may be envisaged (such as IT, Business, Technology and Science) the challenge is surmountable. However, it remains for non-vocational subjects, and especially degree programmes in the Arts and Humanities, to prove their merit in this demand-based climate. While sceptics may be worried that endeavours to adapt an academic discipline to the needs of economic utility may effectively dilute the academic content of a degree programme, this article suggests that this need not be the case. By focusing on modules which utilize non-traditional forms of assessment and delivery, the article will demonstrate that embedding employability can actually enhance academic standards while simultaneously offering students a broader choice of learning and teaching experiences.
Praxis and pedagogy as related to the arts and humanities
Authors: Mulcahy D.G.
Published: October 2010

Based on a review of its historical evolution and the contributions of significant writers in the field, this article addresses perennial questions of purpose, content and pedagogy in education in the arts and humanities and, more broadly, liberal education. Taking cognizance of the educational significance of service-learning and practical knowledge, it calls for a revitalization of arts and humanities education by drawing on elements of feminist theory as expounded by Jane Roland Martin and the emphasis on praxis, service and pedagogy in the writings of Paulo Freire, Ira Shor and others in the tradition of critical pedagogy.
Building interfaces between the humanities and cognitive sciences
Authors: Beňuš Štefan
Published: October 2010

I argue that creating interfaces between the humanities and cognitive sciences would be intellectually stimulating for both groups. More specifically for the humanities: they might gain challenging and rewarding avenues of inquiry, attract more funding, and advance their position in the 21st-century universities and among the general public, if they engage in interface projects with cognitive science and other disciplines that seek to improve our understanding of what it means to be human. I discuss a potential research framework of non-linear dynamics for such interfaces, and argue that it alleviates some of the concerns of reductionism and determinism that scholars in the humanities might have in relation to the scientific approach. I also discuss some general examples from the study of human speech of how successful interfaces have been built and might be extended to other areas relevant to the humanities.
Embracing resistance and asymmetry in pre-service teacher aesthetic education
Authors: Hirsch Miriam
Published: October 2010

This narrative account describes and analyzes the story of resistance to aesthetic education in an undergraduate pre-service teacher education program. After carefully listening to the students’ resistance to the Lincoln Center Institute’s aesthetic education component of their student teacher experience, the author designs a curriculum initiative to address the questions of relevance and application of aesthetic education in pre-service teacher preparation. This article follows the initiation, development, implementation, and evaluation of the aesthetic art initiative. Framed by Young’s (1997) understanding of ‘asymmetrical reciprocity’, the author suggests that three layers of asymmetry — instructor asymmetry, departmental asymmetry, and institutional asymmetry — may have influenced the pre-service teachers’ engagement with aesthetic education. This autoethnographic account asserts that embracing resistance and asymmetry may be important to the development of aesthetic education with pre-service teachers, and also yields insight into the ways contextual features of higher education may influence educational experiences.
The role of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) in modern rheumatology
Authors: Kotyla Przemyslaw
Published: October 2010

Inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase commonly known as statins are widely used for treating hypercholesterolemia. However, there is much evidence to suggest that statins may have other properties in addition to their cholesterol-lowering effect. In particular, statins may neutralize post-translational prenylation of vitally important regulatory small GTPases, which are involved in several processes such as tissue fibrosis, cell maturation, apoptosis, immune cell maturation, and immune response. The beneficial effect of statins has been reported in animal and in vitro models as well as in some clinical studies. As they have an acceptable safety profile, statins may be considered, in selected cases, as a valuable concomitant therapy in the treatment of rheumatic and autoimmune disorders.
Consumers' views on generic medicines: A review of the literature
Authors: Hassali Mohamed A A , Shafie Asrul A , Jamshed Shazia , Ibrahim Mohamed I M , Awaisu Ahmed
Published: October 2010

Objectives

To review the literature on consumers' knowledge, attitudes and opinions of the use of generic medicines.

Method

A narrative review of studies conducted from 1970 to 2008 on consumers' perceptions and views towards generic medicines was performed. An extensive literature search was undertaken using indexing services available at the authors' institution library. The following keywords were used for the search: brand, generic, multisource, medications, medicines, drugs, pharmaceuticals and consumers, customers, and patients. Electronic databases searched were Medline, Inside Web, ISI Web of Knowledge, Science Direct, Springer Link, JSTOR, Proquest, Ebsco Host and Google Scholar. These electronic databases were searched for full text papers published in English from 1970 to October 2008.

Key findings

Twenty studies were identified. Eleven were from the USA, four were from Europe, two were from Canada and one each was from Australia, Brazil and Malaysia. In general, consumers showed mixed reactions towards the use of generic medicines. This was evident from the divergence of views observed by country development level, consumers' socioeconomic characteristics, drug product characteristics, pharmaceutical reimbursement system, policy environment, contact with health care professionals, past experience with medications, and knowledge of the seriousness of a medical condition.

Conclusions

Patient confidence and knowledge pertaining to generic medicines use have increased over the past four decades, especially in developed countries. Mass educational efforts, financial incentives, and greater communication among patients and health care professionals were seen as major drivers to the uptake of generic medicines among consumers.
Views of pharmacist prescribers, doctors and patients on pharmacist prescribing implementation
Authors: Stewart Derek C , George Johnson , Bond Christine M , Diack H Lesley , McCaig Dorothy J , Cunningham Scott
Published: October 2010

Aim

The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives of pharmacist supplementary prescribers, their linked independent prescribers and patients, across a range of settings, in Scotland, towards pharmacist prescribing.

Method

Telephone interviews were conducted with nine pharmacist prescribers, eight linked independent prescribers (doctors) and 18 patients. The setting was primary and secondary care settings in six NHS Health Board areas in Scotland.

Key findings

In general, all stakeholders were supportive of pharmacists as supplementary prescribers, identifying benefits for patients and the wider health care team. Although patients raised no concerns, they had little idea of what to expect on their first visit, leading initially to feelings of apprehension. Pharmacists and doctors voiced concerns around a potential lack of continued funding, inadequate support networks and continuing professional development. Pharmacists were keen to undertake independent prescribing, although doctors were less supportive, citing issues around inadequate clinical examination skills.

Conclusions

Pharmacists, doctors and patients were all supportive of developments in pharmacist supplementary prescribing, although doctors raised concerns around independent prescribing by pharmacists. The ability of pharmacists to demonstrate competence, to be aware of levels of competence and to identify learning needs requires further exploration.
Early experiences of the mini-PAT (Peer Assessment Tool) amongst hospital pharmacists in South East London
Authors: Patel Jignesh P , West David , Bates Ian P , Eggleton Alison G , Davies Graham
Published: October 2010

Objectives

The aim was to describe early experience of use of the mini-PAT (Peer Assessment Tool) amongst general-level pharmacists working in secondary care, and to capture their views about the method of assessment.

Methods

General-level pharmacists who had completed two rounds of the mini-PAT assessment in their first year post-qualification were asked to complete a semi-structured questionnaire, assessing the usefulness and acceptability of the assessment method.

Key findings

The pharmacists found the assessment method useful and acceptable, with many citing that they found it useful to see how they were doing in relation to their peers. To further improve the assessment method, the general-level pharmacists suggested that any verbatim comments made should have the relevant assessor's name next to it, so the context of the comment can be understood.

Conclusions

Early experience suggests that the mini-PAT is a useful formative assessment tool for use amongst GLPs.
Feasibility of using motivational interviewing in a Swedish pharmacy setting
Authors: Söderlund Lena Lindhe , Nilsen Per
Published: October 2010

Objectives

Motivational interviewing (MI) is widely established as an effective counselling approach for many lifestyle issues, but is largely untested in pharmacy settings. The aim of this study was to identify factors that impact on the feasibility of using MI with pharmacy clients in routine community pharmacy work in Sweden.

Methods

Interviews were conducted with 15 pharmacists at two pharmacies after they had participated in manual-based MI skills training and used MI with clients for 6 months. The pharmacists were offered hands-on training from ‘pilot pharmacists’ who had received more MI training and were involved in assembling the manual that adapted MI for use in pharmacies. Three focus groups with the pharmacists and five individual interviews with pharmacists in leading positions were conducted. Data were interpreted from a phenomenological perspective.

Key findings

Pharmacists who had previously participated in education that included elements similar to MI felt this facilitated their use of MI. Pharmacists experienced many difficulties associated with the practical application of MI, including initiating and concluding client conversations. The opportunity to decide on appropriate clients and/or health-related behaviours for counselling was an important facilitator. The pharmacists believed the physical environment of the pharmacies was favourable for MI use, but they experienced time limitations when there were many clients on the premises. The organisational context in which MI was applied affected the pharmacists' attitudes to using MI.

Conclusions

There are several factors to take into consideration in the implementation of MI in pharmacies.
Workload pressure among recently qualified pharmacists: An exploratory study of intentions to leave the profession
Authors: Eden Martin , Schafheutle Ellen I , Hassell Karen
Published: October 2010

Objectives

To explore the reasons why recently qualified pharmacists had chosen to follow non-standard career paths, or were thinking of doing so.

Methods

Participants in a nationwide longitudinal cohort study examining pharmacy careers who were either working in non-standard roles (i.e. not primarily employed in community, primary care or hospital pharmacy), or who had expressed a likelihood of leaving the profession in the near future, were invited to participate in a follow-up qualitative study. After pilot work to inform the design of a semi-structured interview schedule 12 telephone interviews were conducted with pharmacists who had qualified within the last 5 years.

Key findings

Regardless of the sector in which these early career pharmacists had gained work experience, there was a common occurrence of workload pressures influencing career decisions. Pressures in community pharmacy were often related to the need to meet certain targets in a business environment. Community pharmacists also bemoaned a lack of resources, such as support staff, which often meant that their day-to-day routines became monotonous and unfulfilling. A feeling of being undervalued and underutilised was the main concern voiced by all pharmacists and represented the views of those with experience of working in both the community and hospital sectors. This situation arose because participants felt that they had been highly trained to deliver new pharmaceutical services yet the opportunities to use their skills did not materialise, partly due to the nature of their workloads.

Conclusions

Early career pharmacists can become disillusioned because the pressure to perform routine tasks often results in a lack of time to provide new pharmaceutical services. Increased job satisfaction levels are seen when more opportunities for clinical input are afforded to pharmacists. This could be achieved through the use of clear guidelines on staffing levels and, more importantly, the provision of adequate support staff.
The feasibility of providing community pharmacy-based services for alcohol misuse: A literature review
Authors: Watson Margaret C , Blenkinsopp Alison
Published: October 2010

Objectives

Excessive consumption of alcohol is a major public health concern. The use of community pharmacies and pharmacists as sources of public health information and services is gaining greater recognition. The objective of this review was to provide an overview of the evidence on the feasibility, effectiveness and acceptability of providing community pharmacy-based services to address the excessive consumption of alcohol.

Methods

Electronic databases were searched for the period 1996–2007 to identify relevant evidence. Searches were also conducted of relevant pharmacy and addiction journals. Information was sought from key contacts in pharmacy and alcohol research. Studies were included if they were conducted in a community pharmacy setting.

Key findings

The review comprised three feasibility studies which included 14 pharmacies and 500 customers. Non-significant reductions in alcohol consumption were reported with two studies following brief interventions by pharmacists. Between 30% and 53% of pharmacy customers were identified as having hazardous or harmful drinking behaviour. Customer opinion of the pharmacy-based alcohol services was not reported.

Conclusions

There has been little empirical evaluation of the effectiveness of community pharmacy-based services for alcohol misuse. The evidence presented in this review suggests that community pharmacy-based screening is feasible. Organisations and individuals involved with tackling excessive alcohol consumption should consider the inclusion of community pharmacies and pharmacists as part of their strategies to address this problem. Large-scale studies are needed to evaluate the short- and long-term effects and cost-effectiveness of community pharmacy-based interventions to reduce excessive alcohol consumption, as well as to explore the acceptability of the service to users.
Non-prescription medicines: Current issues in Australian community pharmacy
Authors: Tan Amy Chen Wee , Emmerton Lynne
Published: October 2010

Objectives

This qualitative research aimed to improve understanding of the perceptions, experiences and attitudes of community pharmacists regarding developments in the non-prescription medicines market.

Method

Qualitative data were collected via in-depth interviews with 20 community pharmacists in Brisbane, Australia. Pharmacists-in-charge were randomly telephoned from a list generated from online pharmacy-locator services and invited to participate in a face-to-face semi-structured interview based on six themes. The data collected were transcribed verbatim and analysed for prominent themes, major issues, differences and unique individual responses.

Key findings

The topic commonly of concern to participants was the descheduling of non-prescription medicines (including ibuprofen and nicotine-replacement therapy) for availability via non-pharmacy medicine retailers. Other key findings and common themes related to the current scheduling of non-prescription medicines as Pharmacist Only Medicines and Pharmacy Medicines (largely favoured), the importance of pharmacists' advice on non-prescription medicines and the online system for control of pseudoephedrine sales (Project STOP; widely commended).

Conclusions

Despite some variability in opinions and the potential for professionally desirable responses, the findings generally supported professional initiatives to preserve non-prescription medicines as a domain of community pharmacies. The involvement of pharmacists in medicine sales was largely favoured as an opportunity to maintain control over supply and to advise on appropriate medicines usage. These data may inform the quality supply of non-prescription medicines, and are of significance to countries operating or debating similar scheduling systems for non-prescription medicines.
How do pharmacists manage acute diarrhoea in an 8-month-old baby? A simulated client study
Authors: Driesen Annelies , Vandenplas Yvan
Published: October 2010

Objectives

Community pharmacists claim a role in health care based on their added value as counsellors and providers of pharmaceutical care. The aim of this study was to assess to what extent they fulfil this role with respect to the management of acute diarrhoea in an 8-month-old baby.

Methods

In February 2008, two female simulated clients of 55 and 35 years old visited 101 Belgian pharmacies. Both entered the pharmacy and said: ‘I'm here for my grandchild/my sister's baby. She has diarrhoea.’ They only provided more information if the pharmacist asked for it. All the questions and the verbal advice provided by the pharmacist were audio-recorded and the suggested medicines were registered.

Key findings

One pharmacist did not ask any questions. All the other pharmacists asked the age of the child, 19% asked how long the symptoms had been on-going, 27% asked whether the baby had a fever and 24% inquired about vomiting. Seventy-five per cent of the pharmacists emphasized the importance of sufficient fluid intake and/or the risk of dehydration, while 4% described how to recognize such dehydration symptoms. Oral rehydration solution was suggested by 30% of the pharmacists, while 86% suggested the yeast probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii. Of the 28% spontaneously giving dietary advice, no-one said that normal feeding should restart ‘as soon as possible’. Thirty-one per cent advised consulting a doctor, either immediately or in the case of the symptoms not improving after a while.

Conclusions

Apart from inquiring about the child's age, the majority of pharmacists asked too few questions to be able to analyse the situation properly. Ample information was provided on the risk of dehydration, but counselling on the suggested medicines was insufficient.
Ask, advise and refer: Hypothesis generation to promote a brief tobacco-cessation intervention in community pharmacies
Authors: Patwardhan Pallavi D , Chewning Betty A
Published: October 2010

Objectives

A preliminary qualitative study was conducted to identify key facilitators and barriers for pharmacists' adoption of a brief tobacco-cessation protocol, Ask-Advise-Refer (AAR).

Methods

Ten community pharmacists were interviewed using semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with open-ended questions. Purposive and saturation sampling techniques were applied to identify participants and determine sample size respectively. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Using thematic analysis, two reviewers independently coded all transcripts to identify prominent themes. Appropriate measures were taken to ensure study rigor and validity.

Key findings

All facilitators and barriers identified were grouped into nine distinct themes. Pharmacists' fear of negative patient reaction was the most prominent barrier to initiating tobacco-cessation discussions with patients. Other themes identified in decreasing order of prevalence were pharmacists perceiving a rationale for initiating tobacco cessation, pharmacy environment, pharmacists' perception of/prior knowledge of patients' willingness to discuss tobacco cessation/to quit, patient initiation of tobacco-cessation or worsening-health discussion, pharmacists' perceptions of AAR characteristics, length of pharmacist-patient relationship/rapport with patients, low expectations of pharmacy patrons and pharmacists' communication ability.

Conclusions

This study highlights the potential fear among pharmacists about negative reactions from patients in response to initiating tobacco cessation discussions. Based on the results of this study it is hypothesized that the following strategies would facilitate adoption of AAR: (1) train pharmacists to initiate cessation discussions; (2) initially target discussions with patients who have a disease or medication adversely affected by tobacco use; (3) encourage patient enquiry about pharmacy cessation services through visual cues; and (4) help pharmacists set up a workflow system compatible with the AAR protocol.
Hospital trust engagement with a new vocational learning programme for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in England
Authors: Schafheutle Ellen I , Noyce Peter R , Cutts Christopher
Published: October 2010

Objectives

This study aimed to explore hospital trusts' uptake of Learning@Lunch (L@L), a new vocational learning programme for hospital pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in acute and mental health trusts in England, recently introduced by the Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE).

Methods

The CPPE's ordering database for the first eight L@L modules, with addition of hospital trust and pharmacy characteristics, was analysed using SPSS, providing simple frequencies and X2 cross-tabulations.

Key findings

The CPPE database contained data for 168 acute and 73 mental health trusts, about a third of each being foundation trusts. One-third (33.3%) of acute trusts were teaching, and the majority of them (91.1%) offered pre-registration places for 2009, the mean number being 3.39; only three mental health trusts offered places. L@L uptake by specialist and mental health trusts was lower than by those providing general services. Uptake was highest in the North and South, and lowest in London. Acute trusts with zero to two pre-registration places had a higher uptake than those offering three or more.

Conclusions

Despite limitations of the database, analysis provides interesting insights into the uptake of this new learning programme, which are of interest to CPPE, as well as pharmacy academics and educationalists. L@L uptake by specialist and mental health trusts was significantly lower than that by acute trusts providing general services. Reasons for this need to be explored further to ensure that CPPE and other learning providers can meet the needs of hospital pharmacists and pharmacy technicians working in specialist areas, thus ensuring refresher training in core clinical areas.
The introduction of repeat dispensing for 600 patients in one general practice
Authors: Holden John , Brown Graham
Published: October 2010

Objectives

The aim was to survey the introduction of repeat dispensing in one general practice to discover any generalisable lessons.

Methods

Serial repeat-prescribing workload (GPs and receptionists) surveys were performed each day for whole, non-holiday weeks five times in the year and a patient satisfaction survey was undertaken mid-way through the year. The opinions of the community pharmacist were sought and prescribing costs were checked at the start and end of the year.

Key findings

There were substantial savings of time for the practice once the initial increases in effort had been overcome. These were estimated to be equivalent to a week saved annually for each general practitioner, as well as substantial amounts of staff time.

Conclusions

Repeat dispensing offers clear benefits to patients, practices and pharmacists. In this practice 45% of items were repeat-dispensed after one year, in comparison to less than 1% nationally. There is potential for the scheme to be much more actively promoted.
An exploration of work-related stress in Northern Ireland community pharmacy: a qualitative study
Authors: McCann Laura , Adair Colin G , Hughes Carmel M
Published: October 2010

Objectives

The aim of this study was, through qualitative methodology, to explore the factors which contribute to job-related stress in community pharmacy in Northern Ireland.

Methods

All community pharmacists in Northern Ireland were invited to participate in one-to-one semi-structured interviews. Interview schedules explored pharmacists' attitudes to job-related stress and the situations that may contribute to stress. All interviews took place at participants' work sites between December 2007 and April 2008, were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim, read independently by the authors and analysed using thematic analysis.

Key findings

Seventeen pharmacists participated in the interviews. The main themes that emerged in relation to job-related stress were workplace issues, issues regarding professional expansion, recognition and responsibility, and a demanding public. Although there was general support for development in community pharmacy, this was tempered by concerns as to how expectations would be met and how all services would be delivered.

Conclusions

The themes that emerged from this work reflect what was reported from a survey conducted in 2007 and reinforce the tension between developments in practice and the ability to deliver. Developments in professional practice can be positive; however, commissioners and policy-makers need to consider whether community pharmacists have the infrastructure in terms of environment, personnel and multi-professional support to deliver what is required of them.