scholarly journals Community pharmacists' knowledge and preparedness to participate in the fight against Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Zambia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jimmy M Hangoma ◽  
Steward Mudenda ◽  
Mpande Mukumbwa Mwenechanya ◽  
Aubrey Chichoni Kalungia
Keyword(s):  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Suspected Case ◽  
National Guidelines ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Frontline Workers

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has severely strained healthcare systems globally. Community pharmacists remain vital health professionals with unique roles in responding to symptoms, supplying medicines, and providing health promotion in the communities where they serve. The purpose of this study was to assess the level of knowledge and preparedness of community pharmacists in Zambia as frontline workers in curbing COVID-19. Method: This descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 300 registered community pharmacists in Zambia. A self-administered online questionnaire was used to collect the data. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23. Results: From a total of 393 community pharmacists, 300 participated in the study indicating a response rate of 76.3%. 97% of the pharmacists knew the common signs and symptoms of COVID-19, 83% knew the national guidelines for screening criteria, and 93% were aware that a suspected case of COVID-19 presenting to the community pharmacy needed to be alerted to the national response team. Only 59% knew they needed to self-isolate and self-report should they experience symptoms of COVID-19. 85% stated that personal protective equipment was inadequate in the pharmacies they operated from. 60% of the pharmacists were prepared to participate in the frontline fight against COVID-19. Conclusion: Community pharmacists in Zambia are knowledgeable about COVID-19 signs and symptoms, including the technical guidelines on the screening and detection of suspected cases. Community pharmacists are prepared to participate in the frontline fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in Zambia. Keywords: Community Pharmacy, Community Pharmacists, Coronavirus disease 2019, Frontline workers, Pandemic, Preparedness, Zambia

scholarly journals Knowledge and preparedness of community pharmacists in the fight against COVID-19 in Zambia

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. 402
Author(s):  
Jimmy Mapenzi Hangoma ◽  
Steward Mudenda ◽  
Mpande Mukumbwa Mwenechanya ◽  
Aubrey Chichoni Kalungia
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Suspected Case ◽  
National Guidelines ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Screening Criteria

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has severely strained healthcare systems globally. Community pharmacists remain vital health professionals with unique roles in responding to symptoms, supplying medicines and providing health promotion in the communities where they serve. The purpose of this study was to assess knowledge and preparedness of community pharmacists in the fight against COVID-19 in Zambia.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> This descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 300 registered community pharmacists in Zambia from April to May 2020. A self-administered online questionnaire was used to collect the data. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data using the statistical package for social sciences version 23. All statistical tests were set at 95% confidence level (p&lt;0.05).</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> From a total of 393 community pharmacists, 300 participated in the study indicating a response rate of 76.3%. 97% of the pharmacists knew the common signs and symptoms of COVID-19, 83% knew the national guidelines for screening criteria and 93% were aware that a suspected case of COVID-19 presenting to the community pharmacy needed to be alerted to the national response team. Only 59% knew they needed to self-isolate and self-report should they experience symptoms of COVID-19. 85% stated that personal protective equipment was inadequate in the pharmacies they operated from. 60% of the pharmacists were prepared to participate in the frontline fight against COVID-19.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Community pharmacists in Zambia are knowledgeable about COVID-19 signs and symptoms including the technical guidelines on the screening and detection of suspected cases. Community pharmacists are prepared to participate in the frontline fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in Zambia.</p>

Evaluating the Economic Impact of a Targeted Medication Intervention Program

2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 562-573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah A. Rhodes ◽  
Abigale E. Reynolds ◽  
Macary W. Marciniak ◽  
Stefanie P. Ferreri
Keyword(s):  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Retrospective Analysis ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Corporate Management ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Medication Intervention ◽  
Pharmacy Chain

Objective: To calculate the return on investment (ROI) for a targeted medication intervention program developed by corporate management of a community pharmacy. Design: Retrospective analysis and cross-sectional survey. Setting: Regional community pharmacy chain in North Carolina. Participants: Targeted medication interventions completed from February 1, 2010, to July 31, 2010, were included in the retrospective analysis. Community pharmacists employed by the pharmacy chain that completed the questionnaire were included in the cross-sectional analysis. Intervention: Targeted medication intervention services were provided to the patient and documented by the pharmacist. Main Outcome Measure: The ROI for a community pharmacist-provided targeted medication intervention program. Results: Of the 180 pharmacists, 69 completed the questionnaire (38% response rate). The average time to complete one targeted medication intervention was calculated to be 22.63 minutes. The total cost for providing a targeted medication intervention program during the study time frame was $15 760.86. Total revenue was $15 216.00; therefore, the program resulted in an ROI to the pharmacy chain of negative 3%. Conclusion: This 6-month study resulted in an ROI to the pharmacy chain of negative 3%. Under the current reimbursement model, for this program to break even, the average time to complete one targeted medication intervention must equal 21.85 minutes or less.

scholarly journals Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health of nursing students in Japan: protocol for a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. e055916
Author(s):  
Jun Kako ◽  
Yoshiyasu Ito ◽  
Kohei Kajiwara ◽  
Yasutaka Kimura ◽  
Takahiro Kakeda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Nursing Students ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic is spreading globally with a high risk of mortality. It is also significantly affecting mental health. For nursing students, the impact of COVID-19 on mental health is predicted to be significant; however, sufficient data have not been obtained. Therefore, this study will aim to assess the mental health of nursing students and evaluate the related factors.Methods and analysisThis proposed study is a cross-sectional survey using a self-report questionnaire. An online questionnaire will be distributed among all nursing students of eight universities in Japan. The survey questionnaire will consist of questions related to demography, life satisfaction, fear of COVID-19, mental health and physical activities. The target sample size is 1300 nursing students. We will calculate descriptive statistics for each measurement item and perform univariate and logistic regression analyses to evaluate the potential risk factors for anxiety, depression and insomnia symptoms in nursing students. The strength of association will be assessed using the OR and its 95% CIs. Statistical significance will be set at a p<0.05.Ethics and disseminationThe protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the University of Hyogo on 22 March 2021 (ID: 2020F29). In addition, all of the participating facilities required ethical approval from their local IRBs. The findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. We believe that the proposed large-scale investigation of the mental health of nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic and the relationship between mental health and fear of COVID-19 are novel and will be a strength of this study.

scholarly journals Language barriers in the community pharmacy: a survey of northern and western Auckland

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Chang ◽  
Bobby Tsang ◽  
Simon Thornley
Keyword(s):  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Community Pharmacy Services ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
North Shore ◽  
Communication Barrier ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
Professional Interpreting ◽  
And Coping

INTRODUCTION: Community pharmacists play an important role in increasing patient understanding of medication use. Lack of resources to facilitate communication with non-English speaking (NES) patients may be a communication barrier. AIM: To identify obstacles and coping strategies of community pharmacists when counselling NES patients in Auckland’s North Shore and West Auckland. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 46 community pharmacies in West Auckland and the northern Auckland region was carried out in February 2009. RESULTS: Community pharmacists frequently counsel NES patients (65% reported at least once a week). Use of bilingual staff was the most commonly employed strategy (78% of respondents) to communicate with these customers. Pharmacies that reported serving NES clients at least daily all had bilingual staff, compared with 70% of pharmacies with less frequent NES contact (p=0.017). No pharmacists reported using professional interpreting services. In our sample, telephone interpreting was the most preferred (63% of respondents) method of communicating with such patients, assuming that further services were made available. DISCUSSION: Community pharmacists frequently serve NES patients, with limited access to interpreting services or translated resources. Although pharmacists have, in some way, adapted to the needs of their patients, our survey suggests that accessible professional interpreting services would further improve pharmacist/NES client interaction. KEYWORDS: Communication barriers; community pharmacy services; medication errors

scholarly journals Pharmacist's Perspectives on Administering a COVID-19 Vaccine in Community Pharmacies in Four Balkan Countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adina Turcu-Stiolica ◽  
Maria Kamusheva ◽  
Maria Bogdan ◽  
Ivana Tadic ◽  
Klejda Harasani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Balkan Countries ◽  
Flu Vaccine ◽  
Significant Factors

Community pharmacists expanded their roles and engaged in vaccination services in many countries around the world, but not in Balkan countries. This research aimed to assess the perceptions of pharmacists on involvement in the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine administration in four Balkan countries (Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, and Serbia). A cross-sectional survey was conducted using an online questionnaire that was distributed to community pharmacists across these countries between February and March 2021. A total of 636 community pharmacists were included in the analysis of the survey. The willingness to administer vaccines for COVID-19 (or other vaccines well established in the practice, like a flu vaccine) in community pharmacies is significantly different among the countries: the pharmacists from Albania were more willing to administer vaccines. The factors associated with the eagerness to vaccinate are almost the same among the countries: the lack of training in the faculty classes and the lack of a special place where to administer vaccines. Additional significant factors were found in Bulgaria (pharmacists from independent pharmacies wanted more than the pharmacists working in chain pharmacies to administer vaccines) and in Serbia (male pharmacists agreed more with administering vaccines than female pharmacists). Further national reforms are needed for adopting the expanding role of community pharmacists.

scholarly journals Challenges Facing Libyan Pharmacists During the Drug Dispensing Process

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-125
Author(s):  
Arwa Benkhaial ◽  
Ghada Elfalah ◽  
Rania Elshalmane ◽  
Najah Alzuway ◽  
Amal Elbaba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Daily Routine ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Drug Dispensing ◽  
Daily Work ◽  
Care Plans ◽  
Learning Programs

Pharmacists are supposed to deliver services, like counseling, dispensing, and managing patients care plans. During daily routine they face problems that can hinder their job, e.g., work overload stress, or unorganized drug shelves, and unclear written prescription, which may lead to errors during drug dispensing. These errors are traumatic for the pharmacist and patient; therefore, it is crucial to reduce them and any circumstances that leads to them. In this study, we aimed to study some of the problems that face Libyan pharmacists in their daily routine and prevent them from performing their main roles as community pharmacists. An online cross-sectional survey of pharmacists in Libya was conducted over a period of four months. This online questionnaire was built using the “Google forms” application and was distributed to participants using social network groups of pharmacists. 182 pharmacists responded to this questionnaire. Almost (45%)of the respondents found it difficult to educate patients on their medicines and any related health issues. Meanwhile, the bulk majority (82%) stated that the major problem that faced them was getting a prescription written with very bad handwriting. About (59.4%) of the responding pharmacists stated that they did not have enough time to educate patients about their medications during drug dispensing. In conclusion, this study reveals some of the main challenges that face pharmacists during their daily work. Generally, it shows that it is necessary to make pharmacists aware of social and environmental factors that may complicate their work. This can be done by educating practicing pharmacists about “good pharmacy practices” through workshops and continuous learning programs. Additionally, regulating authorities should also play a role in establishing policies and laws that regulate the design of retail pharmacies.

Assessing community pharmacists’ involvement and clients’ opinion on HIV/AIDS services in community pharmacies in Nigeria: a cross-sectional survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 538-550
Author(s):  
Yejide O Oseni ◽  
Wilson O Erhun
Keyword(s):  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
World Health ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Willingness To Participate ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Medication Therapy ◽  
Southwest Nigeria ◽  
Hiv Aids

The World Health Organization is promoting community-based services to end HIV/AIDS by 2030. In Nigeria, studies on community pharmacists’ involvement in HIV testing services (HTS) and antiretroviral (ARV) medication therapy management (MTM) are scarce, and no study had evaluated the clients’ opinion on community pharmacy HTS. We assessed the community pharmacists’ involvement in HIV/AIDS services and clients’ opinions of community pharmacy HTS. Semi-structured questionnaires on a five-point Likert scale were administered to 701 selected community pharmacists and 5840 clients in southwest Nigeria in 2019. Data were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics. Response rates were 68.6% and 69.8% for community pharmacists and clients, respectively. Only 18.5% of community pharmacists offered rapid HTS and 30% refills of ARV. The total score of their involvement on the HTS was 20.94 ± 17.521 (range 8–40; midpoint 24) and on ARV/MTM was 22.98 ± 19.61 (range 9–45; midpoint 27), while 91% were willing to participate in training. Barriers to integrating services into practice were lack of clinical tools (46.8%), lack of collaboration with other healthcare professionals (39.1%), and lack of training on HIV/AIDS services (36.2%) among others. Also, 77% of the clients were willing to participate in community pharmacy HTS, and about 83% of them responded that knowing their HIV status will help them to take necessary precautionary actions. Community pharmacists’ involvement in HIV/AIDS services was low. However, they showed willingness to participate in training to improve services. Also, clients were willing to receive community pharmacies HTS to know their status.

scholarly journals ‘Has she seen me?’: a multiple methods study of the pharmaceutical care needs of older people with sensory impairment in Scotland

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. e023198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nour Alhusein ◽  
Leah Macaden ◽  
Annetta Smith ◽  
Kathleen M Stoddart ◽  
Andrea J Taylor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Pharmaceutical Care ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Sensory Impairment ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Survey Responses

ObjectivesTo explore the pharmaceutical care needs of, and service provision to, older people with sensory impairment (visual, hearing and dual impairment) on prescribed polypharmacy (≥4 medicines) in Scotland.DesignInterviews were conducted with older people with sensory impairment and community pharmacy personnel, which informed the content of a subsequent national cross-sectional survey of community pharmacists.SettingScotland, 2015–2016.ParticipantsOlder people with sensory impairment and community pharmacy personnel.ResultsInterviews were completed with 23 older people with sensory impairment (dual impairment n=13, visual or hearing impairment n=5 of each) and 30 community pharmacy personnel from eight of 14 Scottish Health Boards. A total of 171 survey responses were received.Older people reported that they did not always disclose their sensory impairment to pharmacy personnel. They also reported that medicines were difficult to identify particularly when their name, shape or colour changed. Pharmacy personnel relied on visible cues such as white canes or guide dogs to identify visual impairment and suggested that hearing loss was less visible and more difficult to identify. Many assistive aids in support of medicine management, such as dosette boxes, seemed inadequate for complex medication regimens. Few community pharmacy personnel reported receiving training in the care of people with sensory impairment.ConclusionsThis is the first comprehensive, multistakeholder, in-depth exploration of the pharmaceutical care needs of older people with sensory impairment. Strategies are needed to enable people with sensory impairment to disclose their impairment to pharmacy personnel (and other healthcare providers). Community pharmacy personnel require training to deliver person-centred pharmaceutical care for older people with sensory impairment particularly regarding communication with individuals in this vulnerable population.

scholarly journals Dental education changed by COVID-19: Student’s perceptions and attitudes

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsin-Chung Cheng ◽  
Sao-Lun Lu ◽  
Yu-Chun Yen ◽  
Pallop Siewchaisakul ◽  
Amy Ming-Fang Yen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Dental Students ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
School Of Dentistry ◽  
Dental Professional ◽  
Medical University

Abstract Background Dental students have encountered changes in the teaching format amid the SARS CoV-2 pandemic. This study aims to evaluate the attitudes of dental students of one medical university toward online courses and compare them with those of non-dental students amid the SARS CoV-2 pandemic. Methods A cross-sectional survey with a self-report online questionnaire was conducted at the medical university in May 2020 in Taipei. Students from the School of Dentistry, School of Dental Technology, and School of Oral Hygiene Study were enrolled in our survey. Results In total, 473 students responded to the survey, 318 (67.2%) of whom were dental students. Overall, 366 (77%) students agreed with the change to online learning. Only 10.4% of students thought that dental professional courses with a laboratory format could be changed to online courses. Dental students were significantly more worried than non-dental students about being infected with COVID-19 and about the COVID-19 pandemic continuing. Conclusions In conclusion, changing to online learning seems to be perceived as feasible by students. However, more discussion about changing dental professional courses with a laboratory format to online courses considering the attitudes from students is needed.

scholarly journals Challenges faced by dental professionals during COVID-19- A cross sectional survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 60-64
Author(s):  
Swati Gupta ◽  
Thayyil Sivaraman Hrishi ◽  
Sumeet Gupta ◽  
Sanjana Kumar ◽  
Hamid Javadi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Moral Dilemma ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Frontline Workers ◽  
Dental Curriculum ◽  
Medical Emergencies ◽  
Dental Professionals

Background: At the time of pandemics like COVID-19, dental professionals being one of the frontline workers must face a lot of challenges in workplace bringing about a lot of anxiety and stress. The purpose of this survey was to assess the physiological well-being of the dental professionals, the majority of challenges faced by them, , how they are dealing with it and what changes in their opinion could be implemented to be prepared in the wake of any future adversity. Methodology: We conducted a cross sectional survey via an online questionnaire that was sent to dentists in 4 different countries- India, US, UK, and Iran. The questionnaire comprised of closed ended questions grouped in broad categories of demographics, physiological well-being of dentists, Changes in dental practice during COVID-19 and Changes to be implemented post Covid-19. Descriptive analysis was performed to summarize the data with SPSS-19 software. Results: A total of 312 dentists (181 Males and 131 Females) from four countries responded to the study. Most of them (56.4 %) were in the age group of 30 to 40 years, 27.9 % in 25- 30 years, and 7.1% above 50 years. 47.5% dentists reported suffering from stress and anxiety due to the shutting down of their private dental practices. 72.5% dentists reported that they are worried about the operational and financial challenges to run their practice during Covid-19. 60% of the dentists had concerns due to the shortage of personal protective equipment. Most of the dental professionals (73.9%) are of the opinion that management of medical emergencies should be included in the dental curriculum, so that dentists can volunteer their services at the time of crisis and also can be well-prepared to take care of their patients. Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, dentists like medical professionals must face a lot of ethical and moral dilemma along with dealing with the operational challenges. The present study draws our attention to the fact that despite having faced pandemics like SARS, health professions like dentistry still need a lot of preparedness and requires modifications to face any such challenges in future.

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