scholarly journals Quality evaluation of community pharmacy blood pressure (BP) screening services: an English cross-sectional survey with geospatial analysis

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. e032342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ravina Barrett ◽  
James Hodgkinson
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Service Utilisation ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Undiagnosed Hypertension ◽  
Service Redesign ◽  
The Impact

ObjectivesThe primary objective was to assess the accuracy (calibration and validation status) of digital blood pressure (BP) monitors used within community pharmacy in England and the secondary objectives were to assess the overall quality of the BP service by assessing service prevalence, service utilisation and other in-service considerations.DesignA cross-sectional survey.SettingPrimary-care retail-pharmacies.Participants500 pharmacies that contribute to government dispensing-data were invited by post to complete the survey. Private contractors were excluded.InterventionsWe conducted a questionnaire survey with a follow-up (September 2018 to December 2018).Results109 responses were received. 61% (n=66) of responding pharmacies provided a free BP check to their patients. 40 (61%) pharmacies used recommended validated clinical metres, 6 (9%) had failed validation and 20 (30%) provided too little information to enable us to determine their monitor’s status.ConclusionsResponding pharmacies were able to provide useful BP monitoring services to their patients, though quality enhancements need to be implemented. Majority of pharmacies use validated BP monitors, however, there was a lack of range of cuff sizes, variation in replacement and calibration of monitors and apparent absence of such practice in a minority of pharmacies alongside variation in training standards. We noted higher frequency of BP screening in the most deprived postcodes.We recommend in-service redesign and delivery improvements, and suggest professional bodies and researchers work together to create clearer frameworks for front-line practitioners, creating appropriate incentives to facilitate this service redesign.Funders and policy setters should consider the value added to the National Health Service and other healthcare agencies of such screening by pharmacy providers both nationally and internationally. It has the potential to reduce complications of undiagnosed hypertension and the medicines burden that it creates. Future work should examine the impact of pharmacist-led BP screening on patients.

scholarly journals Business response to COVID-19 impact: Effectiveness analysis in South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Godfred Anakpo ◽  
Syden Mishi
Keyword(s):  
Small Businesses ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Export Market ◽  
Adverse Impact ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Response Measures ◽  
Business Response ◽  
The Impact

Background: Following the outbreak of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), many businesses have put out measures to counter the impact of the outbreak and its related reactions from economic actors (individuals, authorities and other businesses) on their business operations. However, nearly no empirical studies or reports have been carried out to investigate the effectiveness of those measures.Aim: This study aimed at examining the effectiveness of business response measures to COVID-19 impact on business outcome.Setting: This study focused on businesses that are value-added tax (VAT) registered.Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was used. The authors applied logistic regression technique to analyse the effectiveness of business response measures on business outcome.Results: The authors found evidence that business responses such as virtual connection, innovative e-commerce and increasing working hours are more effective business responses, whilst decreasing work hours, laying off workers temporarily and ordinary e-commerce are less effective measures against the impact of the outbreak. Furthermore, business characteristics such as industry type (e.g. ‘agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishing’ and ‘electricity, gas and water supply’) are more resilient to COVID-19 shock, whilst pure export market and small businesses, secondary and tertiary, are significantly less resilient.Conclusions: Firstly, the study shows that some business responses are more effective in remediating the adverse impact of COVID-19 and therefore recommends policy intervention and industrial actions to promote them. Secondly, it is also recommended that financial bailout and/or Internet infrastructure and domestic support for small and export businesses could make them more resilient to the adverse impact of the outbreak.

scholarly journals effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Psyche and Productivity of Pharmaceutical Sales Workforce in an African Country; A descriptive case study

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 586-604
Author(s):  
Theophilus Ehidiamen OAMEN
Keyword(s):  
Negative Impact ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Sales Representatives ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Pharmaceutical Sales ◽  
Daily Work ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Impact

Pharmaceutical sales representatives are a pivotal workforce in the healthcare system. Due to the global impact of COVID-19, the impact on the psyche and morale of the pharmaceutical sales workforce has to be examined. The primary objective of the study was to assess the possible impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psyche and productivity of the pharmaceutical sales workforce in Nigeria. A questionnaire-guided cross-sectional survey was used to collect data from pharmaceutical sales personnel across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria using purposive sampling. The final sample was 225. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 25. Descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation were used for demographic data. Cluster analysis was used to identify key demographic predictors of importance. X2 test was used to test the association between the sociodemographic characteristics of respondents and work-attributes. The difference of means was determined with a t-test. Highest and lowest-ranked work-attributes were information provider (3.62±1.36), and involvement in COVID screening activities (1.80±1.20). Average daily work hours before and during COVID-19 lockdown (2.16±0.04 vs. 1.88±0.11, p<0.05)) were affected. Average sales were significantly affected (3.15±0.48 vs. 1.35±0.36, p<0.0001). Psychological states of Anxiety and Increased burden have a medium to high impact on the psyche of respondents. The study revealed an association of both extremes of pessimism and optimism with regards to Frustration state of mind. Study suggests an overall negative impact on pharmaceutical sales representatives’ psyche and productivity. Attention to sales workforce welfare is required to safeguard medicine supply.

scholarly journals The evident gap between actual and perceived facilities supporting value-added pharmacy services

2021 ◽  
pp. 48-51
Author(s):  
Andi Hermansyah ◽  
Catur Dian Setiawan ◽  
Firqin Fuad Riansyah
Keyword(s):  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Actual Practice ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Pharmacy Services ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional

Introduction: Whilst there is an emerging need to provide Value-Added Pharmacy Services (VAPS), the facilities in community pharmacy may not be supportive to implement this concept. Aim: This study aims to evaluate the actual and perceived facilities supporting VAPS. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to selected fifty pharmacies in Surabaya Indonesia. Respondents were asked about their agreement towards VAPS and facilities required for providing VAPS. The results were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: All respondents agreed that pharmacy is in need to provide VAPS. In addition, they viewed the presence of facilities supporting VAPS are urgent. However, the availability of such facilities in the actual practice was relatively limited, highlighting underinvestment to provide VAPS. Conclusion: There is a gap between actual and perceived facilities supporting VAPS. This highlights more investments to upgrade pharmacy facilities.

scholarly journals Navigating on the precursors of work readiness amongst students in Johannesburg, South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khensani Magagula ◽  
Eugine T. Maziriri ◽  
Musawenkosi D. Saurombe
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Work Readiness ◽  
South African Context ◽  
The South ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
African Context ◽  
The Impact

Orientation: Research has been conducted regarding work readiness in a various contexts. However, there are deficiencies in studies that have focused on the precursors of work readiness in an African context.Research purpose: The primary objective of this study was to determine the impact of career self-efficacy (CSE), career exploration (CE) and self-perceived employability (SPE) on work readiness (WR) of students in the South African context, particularly in the Gauteng Province.Motivation for the study: There is an unequivocal gap between what educational institutions teach as well as what the South African labour market requires, highlighting a misalignment and one of many reasons graduates struggle to find work.Research approach/design and method: To close the research gap, the current study used a quantitative approach using the cross-sectional survey research design. A structured questionnaire was administered to 254 randomly selected students. The collected data were analysed using structural equation modelling.Main findings: The hypotheses testing results revealed that the WR was influenced significantly and positively by CSE, CE and SPE.Practical/managerial implications: The present research provides implications from which managers of institutions of higher learning can benefit. For instance, ensuring that experiential learning is involved in all the programmes. This will be more advantageous to students who would like to evaluate themselves to determine if they are work ready.Contribution/value-add: This study adds fresh understanding regarding the precursors that stimulate work readiness among students in a South African context.

scholarly journals Prevalence of hypertension among young adults in a Jaipur district of Rajasthan, India

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 424
Author(s):  
Uttam Kumar ◽  
Om Prakash Sharma ◽  
Jaswant Goyal ◽  
Saryu Sain ◽  
Barkha Gupta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
High Blood Pressure ◽  
Life Style ◽  
Male Students ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
History Of ◽  
Disease Study ◽  
The Impact

Background: Young adults are failed to observe in studies on impact of high blood pressure as they are esteemed to be at a low risk of developing the complication or disease. Study of disease prevalence and their relation with life style habits provide the information required to develop interventional strategies. The objectives were to estimate the prevalence of hypertension among young adults in Jaipur district, Rajasthan and to study the impact of life style habits like tobacco use and alcohol consumption on hypertension.Methods: Data were collected from 390 college students aged 18 years and older in selected degree college by a cross-sectional survey. Blood pressure recordings, anthropometric measurements as well as socio-demographic characteristics were collected.Results: High blood pressure was observed in 152 out of the 390 students (38.97%), of which the 20 (5.13%) are hypertensive, majority were newly diagnosed (65%). Prevalence of high blood pressure among male students was higher (40.29% compared to 37.5% among female students). Out of total 33.85% and 5.12 % of the students were found to pre-hypertensive and hypertensive respectively. Prevalence of hypertension was found higher among those with a history of smoking or alcohol consumption.Conclusions: Majority of students with high blood pressure (hypertensive stage) were previously undiagnosed. A large number of students were in pre-hypertensive stage. Their early identification and right intervention at right time will lessen the impact of high blood pressure in productive age.

A Survey-Based Study of Patient-Centered Costs Associated With Indwelling Pleural Catheters

2020 ◽  
pp. 104990912095481
Author(s):  
Matthew Aboudara ◽  
Lance Roller ◽  
Rob Lentz ◽  
Otis B. Rickman ◽  
Erin A. Gillaspie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Financial Burden ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact

Introduction: Indwelling pleural catheters (IPC) are effective at palliating benign and malignant pleural effusions (MPE). They have also been found to be cost effective from a third-party payor perspective. Little is known of the impact IPCs have on patient-centered quality of life outcomes such as financial burden and patient and caregiver burden. We performed a cross-sectional survey study evaluating the impact of IPCs on multiple patient and caregiver quality of life metrics. Methods: Patients ≥ 18 years old with an IPC in place for 2 months were eligible. Twenty patients were recruited over a 10-month period. Patients completed the CDC-Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL)-4 and a HRQOL-financial questionnaire. The primary objective was to describe the socio-economic impact of IPCs. Demographic and IPC specific data were collected. Descriptive statistics were used. Results: The mean (SD) age was 64.3 (0.70). The indication was MPE in 19/20. All patients had medical insurance. Medicare or Medicaid (CMS) comprised 10/20 of payors. The median (IQR) copay for private insurers was $238.45 (72-875); 11/20 had additional costs related to the IPC; 4/20 had significant life changes after the IPC; 17/20 received assistance from a non-paid caregiver; 6/20 patients could not do activities because of the IPC and this negatively impacted QOL in 3/6 of those patients. Conclusion: Patients with IPCs may experience negative life consequences, incur additional medical expenses, and require assistance from a non-paid caregiver. Activities may be negatively impacted by IPC. Discussion of alternative means of symptom palliation and pleurodesis would be beneficial.

scholarly journals May Measurement Month 2018: blood pressure screening results in Cameroon

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_H) ◽  
pp. H33-H36
Author(s):  
Anastase Dzudie ◽  
Epie Njume ◽  
Jerome Boombhi ◽  
Alexis Awungia ◽  
Marie S Ndom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Antihypertensive Medication ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Hypertension is a global public health challenge, but awareness, treatment, and control rates remain low. May Measurement Month (MMM) creates a platform for awareness creation and opportunistic screening which can identify significant numbers with raised blood pressure (BP). We present results of the 2018 edition of MMM in Cameroon. A cross-sectional survey of self-selected volunteers aged ≥18 years was conducted in May 2018. The definition of hypertension and statistical analyses followed the standard protocol. Data were collected from 28 public (indoors and outdoors) and private locations which were assigned unique site identification numbers, over a 30-day period. Of the 8883 participants screened, 53.8% were male and the median age was 35 (interquartile range 21) years, and 30.0% reported not having a previous BP measurement. After imputation, 1867 (21.0%) were hypertensive, 645 (34.5%) were aware of their diagnosis, and 507 (27.2%) were on antihypertensive medication, among whom 242 (47.8%) had controlled BP. In linear regression models adjusting for age, sex, and the use of antihypertensive medication, systolic and diastolic BP were significantly higher in participants aware of their diagnosis, those on antihypertensive medication, and who reported alcohol intake of 1–3 times per month and, one or more times per week. Hypertension prevalence is the lowest, and awareness, treatments, and control rates the highest reported in epidemiological studies in Cameroon in the last two decades. Further surveys will be useful in evaluating the impact, if any, of the MMM campaign on the burden of hypertension in the Cameroon.

Psychological Impacts of COVID-19 During the First Nationwide Lockdown in Vietnam: Web-Based, Cross-Sectional Survey Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khanh Ngoc Cong Duong ◽  
Tien Nguyen Le Bao ◽  
Phuong Thi Lan Nguyen ◽  
Thanh Vo Van ◽  
Toi Phung Lam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
General Population ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND The first nationwide lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic was implemented in Vietnam from April 1 to 15, 2020. Nevertheless, there has been limited information on the impact of COVID-19 on the psychological health of the public. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of psychological issues and identify the factors associated with the psychological impact of COVID-19 during the first nationwide lockdown among the general population in Vietnam. METHODS We employed a cross-sectional study design with convenience sampling. A self-administered, online survey was used to collect data and assess psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and stress of participants from April 10 to 15, 2020. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) were utilized to assess psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and stress of participants during social distancing due to COVID-19. Associations across factors were explored using regression analysis. RESULTS A total of 1385 respondents completed the survey. Of this, 35.9% (n=497) experienced psychological distress, as well as depression (n=325, 23.5%), anxiety (n=195, 14.1%), and stress (n=309, 22.3%). Respondents who evaluated their physical health as average had a higher IES-R score (beta coefficient [B]=9.16, 95% CI 6.43 to 11.89), as well as higher depression (B=5.85, 95% CI 4.49 to 7.21), anxiety (B=3.64, 95% CI 2.64 to 4.63), and stress (B=5.19, 95% CI 3.83 to 6.56) scores for DASS-21 than those who rated their health as good or very good. Those who self-reported their health as bad or very bad experienced more severe depression (B=9.57, 95% CI 4.54 to 14.59), anxiety (B=7.24, 95% CI 3.55 to 10.9), and stress (B=10.60, 95% CI 5.56 to 15.65). Unemployment was more likely to be associated with depression (B=3.34, 95% CI 1.68 to 5.01) and stress (B=2.34, 95% CI 0.84 to 3.85). Regarding worries about COVID-19, more than half (n=755, 54.5%) expressed concern for their children aged &lt;18 years, which increased their IES-R score (B=7.81, 95% CI 4.98 to 10.64) and DASS-21 stress score (B=1.75, 95% CI 0.27 to 3.24). The majority of respondents (n=1335, 96.4%) were confident about their doctor’s expertise in terms of COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment, which was positively associated with less distress caused by the outbreak (B=–7.84, 95% CI –14.58 to –1.11). CONCLUSIONS The findings highlight the effect of COVID-19 on mental health during the nationwide lockdown among the general population in Vietnam. The study provides useful evidence for policy decision makers to develop and implement interventions to mitigate these impacts. CLINICALTRIAL

scholarly journals COVID-19 Psychological Impact on Health Care Workers in Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 6076
Author(s):  
Hasan S. Alamri ◽  
Wesam F. Mousa ◽  
Abdullah Algarni ◽  
Shehata F. Megahid ◽  
Ali Al Bshabshe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Psychological Outcomes ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
The Impact

Objective: Little is known about the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) among the health care workers in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the psychological impact of COVID-19 among the health care workers. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from May till mid-July among 389 health care workers from government and private hospitals in Saudi Arabia. Data was collected using a pre-structured online questionnaire that measured adverse psychological outcomes, including the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scale and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale. The Pearson chi-square test was used to assess the distribution of depression and anxiety among health care workers. Results: A high level of anxiety was recorded among the health care workers, and 69.3% of health care workers below the age of 40 were found to have depression. There was a significant increase in depression among staff with chronic health problems (72.1% vs. 61.9%; p = 0.048). High anxiety levels were detected among young staff compared to others (68.7% vs. 43.8%; p = 0.001). Moreover, 82.1% of the female staff were anxious, as compared to 55.6% of the males (p = 0.001). Conclusions: We found increased prevalence of adverse psychological outcomes among the health care workers in Saudi Arabia during the outbreak of COVID-19. Therefore, there is a need for proper screening and development of corresponding preventive measures to decrease the adverse psychological outcomes.

Are e-learning Webinars the future of medical education? An exploratory study of a disruptive innovation in the COVID-19 era

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Colin J. McMahon ◽  
Justin T. Tretter ◽  
Theresa Faulkner ◽  
R. Krishna Kumar ◽  
Andrew N. Redington ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Deep Learning ◽  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Hybrid Approach ◽  
Disruptive Innovation ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
E Learning ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objective: This study investigated the impact of the Webinar on deep human learning of CHD. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional survey design study used an open and closed-ended questionnaire to assess the impact of the Webinar on deep learning of topical areas within the management of the post-operative tetralogy of Fallot patients. This was a quantitative research methodology using descriptive statistical analyses with a sequential explanatory design. Results: One thousand-three-hundred and seventy-four participants from 100 countries on 6 continents joined the Webinar, 557 (40%) of whom completed the questionnaire. Over 70% of participants reported that they “agreed” or “strongly agreed” that the Webinar format promoted deep learning for each of the topics compared to other standard learning methods (textbook and journal learning). Two-thirds expressed a preference for attending a Webinar rather than an international conference. Over 80% of participants highlighted significant barriers to attending conferences including cost (79%), distance to travel (49%), time commitment (51%), and family commitments (35%). Strengths of the Webinar included expertise, concise high-quality presentations often discussing contentious issues, and the platform quality. The main weakness was a limited time for questions. Just over 53% expressed a concern for the carbon footprint involved in attending conferences and preferred to attend a Webinar. Conclusion: E-learning Webinars represent a disruptive innovation, which promotes deep learning, greater multidisciplinary participation, and greater attendee satisfaction with fewer barriers to participation. Although Webinars will never fully replace conferences, a hybrid approach may reduce the need for conferencing, reduce carbon footprint. and promote a “sustainable academia”.

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