bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Consumer attitudes towards community pharmacy services in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Bawazir Saleh A 
Published: December 2005

Abstract

Objective
The purpose of this study was to determine consumer attitudes towards community pharmacy and their preferences for the introduction of new services.

Methods
A self-completion questionnaire was developed and 1,144 consumers in 55 community pharmacies were invited to complete it. The questionnaire covered consumers' choice of pharmacy; their perceptions of, and actual interactions with, community pharmacists; advice from pharmacists about general health and prescribed medicines; and privacy in the pharmacy. Respondents were asked for their views about five possible new services.

Setting
The study was based in community pharmacies in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia.

Key findings
The response rate was 79.6%. Fifty-nine per cent of respondents often or sometimes visited a particular pharmacy. One-quarter of respondents perceived community pharmacists as having a good balance between health and business matters, while 56.1% thought pharmacists were more concerned with the business. The majority of respondents (69.7%) said they felt comfortable asking the pharmacist for advice. Just under half (44.8%) felt that pharmacists allowed them enough time to discuss their problem fully and listened well. In addition, 58.5% of respondents indicated that their pharmacists showed sensitivity to privacy by speaking more quietly across the counter. In 14.4% of situations pharmacists were reported to use a private area within the pharmacy when discussing personal or private matters. Most respondents (65.2%) indicated that their pharmacist was willing to discuss their health problems and tried to understand their feelings. Consumers' priorities for new services were: monitoring blood pressure; measuring weight, height and temperature; monitoring blood sugar; and monitoring cholesterol.

Conclusion
This study showed that most pharmacy customers feel comfortable seeking advice from their pharmacist. Although many pharmacists were reported to show sensitivity to a possible lack of privacy in the pharmacy, few respondents reported that their pharmacy had a private area for discussion. Customers' views on possible new services were generally positive, with the exception of patient medication records.
(9) Theories of professions and the pharmacist
Authors: Traulsen Janine Morgall , Bissel Paul 
Published: December 2005

AbstractIn the preceding articles in this series we have discussed various issues impacting on pharmacy as a professional group. One key issue has been the migration of increasing numbers of women and ethnic minority groups into pharmacy. We have also discussed the re-professionalisation agenda of pharmacy and where that links into the health services within the developed economies of the West. Both these issues raise questions about pharmacy as a profession, and in this article we attempt to understand issues affecting the pharmacy profession using sociological theories on the role of the professions in society. We begin with an overview of selected sociological theories of professions, followed by a focus on the pharmacy profession. Finally, we suggest research questions that are relevant today.
Internet networking for pharmacists: an evaluation of a mailing list for UK pharmacists
Authors: Cox Anthony R , Whitaker Simon , Alexander Angela M 
Published: December 2005

AbstractObjectiveTo analyse the content of messages to an internet mailing list for UK pharmacists and to ascertain if the list was performing a continuing professional development (CPD) function.MethodFor one month all messages to the main list were categorised by topic; details of the gender of the correspondent and their sector of the profession were noted. Members were surveyed using an internet questionnaire.SettingThe population of subscribers to the mailing list at http://www.private-rx.comKey findingsThe top three categories of e-mails posted to the list were clinical pharmacy (20%), pharmacy politics (18%) and non-pharmacy chat (14%). Other subjects included legal issues, the Drug Tariff, government policy, business, risk management and e-mails of a personal and supportive nature. The survey obtained a 46% response rate. Ninety-eight per cent of respondents found the list valuable. Respondents reported increased face to face and Internet contact with other pharmacists after joining the list. Forty-four per cent of respondents said their practice had changed as a result of information gained from the mailing list. Qualitative data self-reported by respondents indicated increased self-perceived competence, confidence, knowledge and skills. Approaches to CPD had also been re-examined. Listening to peers' views and overcoming isolation was seen as important.ConclusionPrivate-Rx provided pharmacists with a rapid route for information gain, had perceived benefits and appeared to have brought about changes in practice. Internet discussion enables CPD without the restriction of time or place and reaches pharmacists who are under-represented in formal education programmes.
Evaluation of NHS Direct “referral” to community pharmacists
Authors: Munro James , O'Cathain Alicia , Knowles Emma , Nicholl Jon 
Published: December 2005

Abstract

Objectives
To evaluate a pilot scheme of referrals from a nurse-led telephone helpline (NHS Direct) to community pharmacists.

Methods
A multi-method approach, including analysis of routine data from NHS Direct, postal surveys of NHS Direct callers, analysis of anonymised transcripts of calls, a postal survey of callers referred to pharmacists, and face-to-face interviews with NHS Direct nurses.

Setting
Essex, Barking and Havering.

Key findings
During the first three months of the pilot scheme, 6% (1,995/31,674) of NHS Direct calls triaged by nurses were logged as referred to pharmacists. This built on an existing foundation of informal referral to pharmacists of 4%. There was no measurable change in callers' views of the helpfulness of advice, enablement, or caller satisfaction associated with the scheme. Conditions sent to pharmacists included skin rash, cough, sore throat, stomach pain, and vomiting and/or diarrhoea. 86% (54/63) of callers referred to pharmacists during the scheme felt the referral was very or quite appropriate and 75% (48/64) attempted to contact a pharmacist. In general, those who did so found the experience a positive one: 65% (31/48) spoke to the pharmacist, and 80% (28/35) of people expressing an opinion were satisfied with the advice offered, but the lack of privacy in the pharmacy was of some concern. Although routine data indicated high usage of the scheme, nurse referral of callers to pharmacists declined over time. Their initial enthusiasm diminished due to concerns about the appropriateness of guidelines, their lack of understanding of the rationale behind some referrals, and the lack of feedback about the appropriateness of their referrals.

Conclusions
The evaluation of the pilot scheme has generated a range of recommendations for the wider national roll-out of the scheme, including revision of the guidelines and review of NHS Direct nurse training for referral to pharmacy. NHS Direct and pharmacists should consider how to strengthen the system of pharmacist feedback to NHS Direct.
(5) Feminist theory and pharmacy practice
Authors: Traulsen Janine Morgall , Haugbølle Lotte Stig , Bissell Paul 
Published: December 2005

AbstractThis is the fifth in a series of articles highlighting the relevance of sociological theory to pharmacy practice research. The article provides an introduction to feminist theory and research as applied to health, illness and health care. The aim is to clarify the contribution made by feminist theory in developing useful conceptual tools and theories in two major areas: the specific experiences of women's health and understanding the role of women as providers of health care. We seek to contribute to a research agenda, informed by feminist thinking, for pharmacy practice.The focus of this article is on feminist theory as developed in the West, with particular emphasis on issues of concern for pharmacy practice research. We begin with a discussion of the historical context of feminism, including the women's movement and the women and health movement. This is followed by an overview of selected feminist theories. Feminist perspectives on the experience of health and illness are discussed in more detail, including issues of reproductive technologies, gender, health and morbidity; gender differences in the medical encounter; and finally the relevance of a feminist approach to pharmacy practice research, including research questions that are relevant today.
The Jones Morbidity Index as an aid for community pharmacists to identify poor asthma control during the dispensing process
Authors: Nishiyama T , Chrystyn H 
Published: December 2005

Abstract

Objective
To determine if the Jones Morbidity Index can be used in community pharmacy when asthmatic patients collect their prescriptions to identify those who have poor control.

Method
Structured questionnaires were completed by asthmatics who presented prescriptions at community pharmacies to assess their morbidity and knowledge of asthma and their attitudes towards and usage of medication.

Setting
Community pharmacies throughout the UK.

Key findings
Complete data on 306 patients were returned by 41 community pharmacists. Seventy-one patients reported using an asthma diary, 161 attended an asthma clinic and 194 had visited their doctor during the past year because of an acute exacerbation (GPV). Problems with metered dose inhaler (MDI) technique were identified in 165 patients. Patients' mean (SD) asthma knowledge score (K) (maximum 5) was 3.48 (1.32). Over the past six months they had received 0.88 (1.78) courses of oral prednisolone (P), 1.12 (1.85) courses of antibiotics (A) and 1.20 (4.51) courses of cough medicine (CM). Using the Jones Morbidity Index (JMI), 74 patients (24.2%) had low morbidity, 90 (29.4%) had medium morbidity and 142 (46.4%) had high morbidity. Comparisons between the morbidity categories revealed significant differences for P, A, GPV, “happy with” preventer (P &lt; 0.001) and “happy with” reliever (P &lt; 0.01) together with CM, K and compliance (P &lt; 0.05). More patients classed as having high morbidity overused their reliever (P &lt; 0.01) and were less compliant with their preventer (P &lt; 0.001). There was no association between JMI and medication.

Conclusion
The JMI is a valuable tool to identify poor asthma control when patients present prescriptions at community pharmacies. More than half the asthmatics presenting their prescriptions at pharmacies had symptoms and signs indicating poor control.
Interpretation of recommended risk terms: differences between doctors and lay people
Authors: Berry Dianne C , Holden Wendy , Bersellini Elisabetta 
Published: December 2005

Abstract

Objectives
To examine doctors' (Experiment 1) and doctors' and lay people's (Experiment 2) interpretations of two sets of recommended verbal labels for conveying information about side effects incidence rates.

Method
Both studies used a controlled empirical methodology in which participants were presented with a hypothetical, but realistic, scenario involving a prescribed medication that was said to be associated with either mild or severe side effects. The probability of each side effect was described using one of the five descriptors advocated by the European Union (Experiment 1) or one of the six descriptors advocated in Calman's risk scale (Experiment 2), and study participants were required to estimate (numerically) the probability of each side effect occurring.

Key findings
Experiment 1 showed that the doctors significantly overestimated the risk of side effects occurring when interpreting the five EU descriptors, compared with the assigned probability ranges. Experiment 2 showed that both groups significantly overestimated risk when given the six Calman descriptors, although the degree of overestimation was not as great for the doctors as for the lay people.

Conclusion
On the basis of our findings, we argue that we are still a long way from achieving a standardised language of risk for use by both professionals and the general public, although there might be more potential for use of standardised terms among professionals. In the meantime, the EU and other regulatory bodies and health professionals should be very cautious about advocating the use of particular verbal labels for describing medication side effects.
Inappropriate prescribing in an elderly population: findings from a South African public sector survey
Authors: Chetty Rangini , Gray Andy 
Published: December 2005

Abstract

Objective
To quantify the extent of potentially inappropriate prescribing among elderly patients seen at public sector primary health care facilities and old age homes in a South African urban setting.

Method
Cross-sectional survey of the prescription charts of patients aged 65 years or older, using a list of potentially inappropriate medicines in elderly patients, modified from that established by Beers and further developed by consensus.

Setting
A provincial government chronic prescription pharmacy servicing public sector primary health care clinics and old age homes in the Durban metropole.

Key findings
Of the 6,410 prescriptions that were reviewed, 1,926 (30.0%) included at least one medication listed as potentially inappropriate in the elderly. The median number of chronic medications prescribed per patient was 4 (range 1 to 11). Although the prevalence of potentially inappropriate prescribing in patients receiving medication at primary health care clinics (29.7%) was similar to the prevalence in those resident in old age homes (31.8%), this difference was shown to be significant upon multivariate analysis. Age was not found to be a predictor of inappropriate prescribing. An association was found between sex and inappropriate prescribing, with female sex being associated with a greater degree of potentially inappropriate prescribing.

Conclusion
This study has shown that 30% of elderly patients were prescribed at least one potentially inappropriate medicine. Women were more likely than men to be prescribed potentially inappropriate medicines.
Unused medications at home — reasons and costs
Authors: Wongpoowarak Payom , Wanakamanee Usanee , Panpongtham Khona , Trisdikoon Piti , Wongpoowarak Wibul , Ngorsuraches Surachat 
Published: December 2005

Abstract

Objectives
To examine types and quantities of unused medications in a sample of households and to investigate reasons for the unused medications and associated factors, including costs.

Method
A cross-sectional survey of a random sample of 931 households in the Songkhla province of Thailand. The households were visited and interviews were conducted with owners of unused medication using a structured questionnaire. Unused medications were collected, identified and quantified and their costs were calculated. Descriptive analysis of the type and amount of unused medications was conducted, including the characteristics of the owners and their reasons for having unused medications. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine factors associated with having unused medications.

Key findings
A total of 1,004 unused medication items were identified from 523 respondents who had unused medications. Oral dosage forms comprised 95.6% of all items, and totalled 14,297 doses. The median number of unused medications per household was 2. The most common therapeutic categories were musculoskeletal conditions, infections and the respiratory system. Thirty-seven per cent of all unused medications needed to be used continuously. The most frequently cited reason for having unused medications was that patients believed their symptoms or disease had resolved, and thus that the medications were no longer needed. Younger patients and those who had no chronic disease were more likely to cite this reason. The average cost of unused medications per household was 0.8 Euro.

Conclusions
This study has documented the types and quantities of unused medications and found that their costs were modest. Patients' perceptions of the need for, and effectiveness of, medication were the most frequent reasons for having unused medications. Age, gender and chronic disease were significantly associated with respondents' reported reasons for having unused medications.
An assessment of pharmaceutical inspection reports from nursing and residential homes for the elderly in Northern Ireland
Authors: Schweizer Anna K , Curry Nuala B , Hughes Carmel M 
Published: December 2005

Abstract

Objectives
To highlight issues currently being inspected in nursing, residential and dual-registered homes (care homes) for the elderly in Northern Ireland as part of a pharmaceutical inspection. Methods A cross-sectional survey and analysis of reports from pharmaceutical inspections in Northern Ireland care homes between January 1999 and December 2000 was undertaken, using reports provided by the four Registration and Inspection Units (R & I Units 1–4) within the region. Reports were reviewed and all recommendations made by inspectors were classified into 11 main categories. Binary logistic regression was used to examine possible relationships between the type of home (nursing, residential or dual-registered) or the R & I unit and the recommendations made by the inspectors, with corresponding odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals.

Key findings
Reports from 415 homes (one report per home) formed the final sample for analysis. Each R & I unit used different documentation to conduct a pharmaceutical inspection. Homes received the majority of recommendations from inspectors in the categories ‘Records’ (66.7% of all homes), ‘Policies and protocols’ (39.3%) and ‘Medication’ (31.8%). More recommendations in a number of categories emanated from R & I unit 4 compared with R & I unit 1 (referent). Dual-registered homes (those registered as a nursing and residential facility) were more likely to receive a recommendation in the categories ‘Storage of medicine’, ‘Order and receipt of medication’ and ‘Equipment’ than nursing or residential homes.

Conclusion
Inspections of care homes should be standardised in terms of documentation used and facilities should be given guidance on issues that are likely to result in recommendations from inspectors. In the longer-term, pharmaceutical inspections should move from a focus on structure/process measures to those that emphasise quality in prescribing.
(10) Concluding comments
Authors: Bissell Paul , Traulsen Janine Morgall 
Published: December 2005

Abstract
In this concluding article, we draw out some general points from the preceding articles in the series. We also seek to provide a rationale for why we think pharmacy practice researchers should engage with theory, drawing on our experience as researchers in the field. The subject of non-compliance is used as an example to illustrate how the different sociological theories discussed in the series might inform research questions in pharmacy practice research.
Responsibility, accountability and factors influencing provision of pharmacist transcription of discharge prescriptions
Authors: Hobson R J , Sewell G J 
Published: December 2005

Abstract

Objectives
To investigate the legal issues concerning authorisation of pharmacist transcribed discharge prescriptions and the prevalence of formal protocols for such a service, and to identify the factors influencing the decision on whether to provide a pharmacist discharge prescription transcription service (PDPTS).

Method
Postal questionnaire survey of clinical pharmacy managers. The sample included one hospital in each of the acute trusts in the UK.

Key findings
The questionnaire completion rate was 66% (135/206). Thirty-six per cent of pharmacy departments (49/135) reported that they offered a PDPTS. The majority of the pharmacy departments with a PDPTS required a medical practitioner to countersign the pharmacist-written prescription (65%) and had a formal protocol for their PDPTS (57%). Seven hospitals reported that they ‘sometimes’ asked the doctor to countersign/authorise the discharge prescription, and 10 hospitals reported that they did not ask the doctor to countersign/authorise the prescription. The most common reasons for implementing a PDPTS were to reduce delays in the discharge process (73%) and to reduce errors (50%). Among pharmacy departments with no plan to provide a PDPTS, the main reasons given for not developing this service were insufficient resources (62%) and preferentially developing other services (24%).

Conclusion
There is currently no consensus upon authorisation requirements of pharmacist-written discharge prescriptions and the legal position is unclear. The hospital pharmacy departments that ‘sometimes’ request a medical practitioner's counter-signature raise clinical governance and medico-legal issues, especially if their practice deviates from trust policy. The reasons given for implementation of a PDPTS concur with those found in previous studies.
Medication histories: does anyone know what medicines a patient should be taking?
Authors: Collins Daniel J , Nickless Gareth D , Green Christopher F 
Published: December 2005

Abstract

Objective
To determine and evaluate the accuracy of physician-acquired medication histories for patients admitted to the surgical and medical admission units in a large teaching hospital in the UK.

Method
The pharmacist obtained a medication history, including allergy status, by interviewing the patient. This was compared with the physician's history as documented in the medical notes and with a third source, for example general practitioner (GP) records, and then with what was prescribed on the inpatient prescription chart.

Key findings
In total, 126 medical patients and 51 surgical patients were reviewed. 102 (17%) medicines were prescribed on the inpatient chart but not documented in the medical notes; 179 (16.7%) medicines were documented in the notes but not prescribed on the prescription chart, with no explanation by the doctor; 75 (9.8%) medicines were documented in the notes by doctor with no dose; 227 (41%) medicines from pharmacist interview were not prescribed on the chart; 189 (34.1%) medicines were identified from pharmacist interview but not recorded in the notes; 113 (28.9%) medicines from pharmacist interview had a dose that was different in the notes; 45 (12.8%) medicines from pharmacist interview had a dose that was different on the chart; and 103 (21.1%) medicines from pharmacist interview had a dose different from that in the third source. A total of 51 medicines were identified from the pharmacist interviews that were not on the records of the GP or nursing home, and these accounted for approximately 5% of all medicines recorded.

Conclusion
This study supports the findings of previous studies that there are substantial numbers of discrepancies between documented sources of patients' medicines and what patients report they are taking. Furthermore our findings add to existing knowledge by highlighting the need for clearer and more complete documentation of medication histories in the patient's medical notes. The inaccuracies observed with GPs' records and in comparison with hospital records suggest that currently there is no ‘gold standard’ medication history available, other than a list of drugs taken from a patient who is perceived to be ‘reliable’.