Patient-focused medicines information: General practitioners’ and pharmacists’ views on websites and leaflets

Objectives: To determine how often general practitioners (GPs) and pharmacists recommend patients obtain information about their medicines via websites and to explore factors that might improve the delivery of written information about medicines to patients. Design: Cross-sectional surveys. Setting: GPs and community pharmacists in New Zealand primary care. Method: Questionnaires were developed and sent to a sample of pharmacists and GPs. Data were collected using SurveyMonkey® and analysed to examine views about websites and leaflets informing patients about medicines. Results: In total, 143 GPs and 126 pharmacists responded. GPs and pharmacists did not routinely direct patients to medicine information websites. Most commonly, GPs did not provide medicine information leaflets due to time constraints and concerns about possibly confusing information. Both professions thought leaflets might cause patients to worry about side-effects. Pharmacists mainly withheld leaflets because the medicine has been taken previously or because leaflet indications differed to prescribed use. A summary leaflet, if available, would be the preferred option for improving leaflet provision. Conclusion: Providing digital medicine information is uncommon in New Zealand. Summarised, relevant information tailored to patient requirements might facilitate the provision of medicines information at the point of care.

Download Full-text

Divergent and Convergent Attitudes and Views of General Practitioners and Community Pharmacists to Collaboratively Implement Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs in Australia: A Nationwide Study

Antibiotics ◽

10.3390/antibiotics10010047 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 47

Author(s):

Sajal K. Saha ◽

David C. M. Kong ◽

Karin Thursky ◽

Danielle Mazza

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

General Practitioners ◽

Antimicrobial Stewardship ◽

Point Of Care ◽

Community Pharmacists ◽

System Structure ◽

Collaborative Group ◽

Chi Square ◽

Information Leaflets ◽

Point Of Care Tests

Setting up an interprofessional team for antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) to improve the quality and safety of antimicrobial use in primary care is essential but challenging. This study aimed to investigate the convergent and divergent attitudes and views of general practitioners (GPs) and community pharmacists (CPs) about AMS implementation and their perceived challenges of collaboration to design a GP–pharmacist collaborative AMS (GPPAS) model. Nationwide surveys of GPs and CPs across Australia were conducted January-October 2019. Chi square statistics and a theoretical framework were used for comparative analyses of quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. In total, 999 participants responded to the surveys with 15.4% (n = 386) response rates for GPs and 30.7% (n = 613) for CPs. GPs and CPs were aware about AMS however their interprofessional perceptions varied to the benefits of AMS programs. CPs indicated that they would need AMS training; significantly higher than GPs (GP vs. CP; 46.4% vs. 76.5%; p < 0.0001). GPs’ use of the Therapeutic Guideline Antibiotic was much higher than CPs (83.2% vs. 45.5%; p < 0.0001). No interprofessional difference was found in the very-limited use of patient information leaflets (p < 0.1162) and point-of-care tests (p < 0.7848). While CPs were more willing (p < 0.0001) to collaborate with GPs, both groups were convergent in views that policies that support GP–CP collaboration are needed to implement GPPAS strategies. GP–pharmacist collaborative group meetings (54.9% vs. 82.5%) and antimicrobial audit (46.1% vs. 86.5%) models were inter-professionally supported to optimise antimicrobial therapy, but an attitudinal divergence was significant (p < 0.001). The challenges towards GP–CP collaboration in AMS were identified by both at personal, logistical and organisational environment level. There are opportunities for GP–CP collaboration to improve AMS in Australian primary care. However, strengthening GP–pharmacy collaborative system structure and practice agreements is a priority to improve interprofessional trust, competencies, and communications for AMS and to establish a GPPAS model in future.

Download Full-text

User testing of consumer medicine information in Australia

Health Education Journal ◽

10.1177/0017896910376131 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 70 (4) ◽

pp. 420-427 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Eleanor Jay ◽

Parisa Aslani ◽

DK Raynor

Keyword(s):

Relevant Information ◽

Information Design ◽

The European Union ◽

Medicine Information ◽

User Testing ◽

Strong Argument ◽

Medicines Information ◽

Pharmaceutical Manufacturers ◽

The Creation ◽

The Individual

Background: Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) forms an important basis for the dissemination of medicines information worldwide. Methods: This article presents an overview of the design and development of Australian CMI, and discusses ‘user-testing’ as an iterative, formative process for CMI design. Findings: In Australia, legislation and templates guide the creation of CMI by pharmaceutical manufacturers using principles of written health information design, giving consideration to both content and structure. Following these principles to the letter, however, does not always assure the creation of a useable document. A suggested method to gauge the usability of CMI is ‘user-testing’. The process, based on observing individuals using the CMI to answer specific questions, aims to identify areas of weakness in the document allowing targeted improvement. Each question identifies whether (a) the individual can find the relevant information and (b) they can understand it. It is an iterative process designed to be performed repeatedly until it results in a highly-useable CMI. Crucially, the revisions of this information between rounds of testing need to be based on principles of good writing and information design. Other methods of analysing CMI do not actively engage the target audience while simultaneously testing the usability of both content and structure. Although developed in Australia, user testing is not routinely performed on Australian CMI. This is despite the fact that user testing is a legal requirement for leaflets for all new medicines across the European Union (EU). Conclusions: Given CMI’s role in empowering patients with information, it follows that every attempt should be made to ensure that they are consumer friendly and usable. There is a strong argument that user testing should be employed in writing medicine information.

Download Full-text

Do health professionals tell patients what they want to know about their medicines?

Health Education Journal ◽

10.1177/0017896918763679 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 77 (7) ◽

pp. 762-777 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Amber Young ◽

June Tordoff ◽

Sharon Leitch ◽

Alesha Smith

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Information Provision ◽

Verbal Information ◽

Information Leaflet ◽

Medicine Information ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Chi Squared

Background: Discussing medicines with patients is the responsibility of prescribers and pharmacists. However, it is not well known whether patients are given the information they want or whether information provision continues when medicines are taken long-term. Objective: To determine how often general practitioners (GPs) and pharmacists provide verbal information to patients about their medicines, and compare the information given with what patients want to know. Design: Cross-sectional surveys. Setting: New Zealand primary healthcare. Method: Two questionnaires were developed and sent to a sample of pharmacists and GPs, and chi-squared analysis was carried out. Open responses were analysed qualitatively to detect further ideas. Results: A total of 119 pharmacists and 150 GPs responded. For new medicines, significantly more GPs than pharmacists reported giving verbal information all of the time. Significantly more GPs than pharmacists reported discussing most counselling points all or most of the time. Pharmacists were more likely than GPs to discuss counselling points only when requested to by patients. For repeat medicines, significantly more GPs than pharmacists were likely to consider counselling points very important. Conclusion: Patients may not be receiving the information they want to know about their medicines, and there may be an overall lack of verbal communication about medicines with patients. Some information will only be discussed if the patient actively requests it; the likelihood of this increases with repeat medicines. The use of counselling aids and tools, such as a medicine information leaflet, could help healthcare providers provide patients with the information they need.

Download Full-text

Consentimento Informado - Visão e Perspetivas de Adolescentes, Pais e Profissionais: Estudo Multicêntrico em Seis Hospitais

Acta Médica Portuguesa ◽

10.20344/amp.10826 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 61 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Maria do Céu Machado ◽

Rodrigo Sousa ◽

Rosário Stone ◽

Maria Inês Barreto ◽

Filipa Garcês ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Informed Consent ◽

Age Groups ◽

National Standards ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Information Leaflets ◽

Written Information ◽

Directorate General ◽

Group Information ◽

The Right ◽

Attending Physicians

Introduction: According to the Convention on the Rights of Children and the national standards of the Portuguese Directorate-General for Health, adolescents have the right to make decisions about their own health. The aim of this study was to identify the dynamics of the implementation of assent and informed consent in hospital settings.Material and Methods: Cross-sectional and multicentre study based on surveys, which included adolescents from 14 to 18 years and their parents. Heads of departments of Pediatrics and attending physicians were also interviewed.Results: 194 responses from adolescents and parents were collected, and 46 interviews were conducted with physicians and heads of department. Adolescents and parents consider participation in decision making important, but parents value their own participation significantly higher (91.7% vs 47.8%, p < 0.001 in the 14 - 15 year group, 91.8% vs 53, (89.6% vs 69.6%, p = 0.016 in the 14 - 15 year group, 91.8% vs 69.4%, p = 0.005 in the 16 - 17 years group). Information leaflets are difficult to understand by teenagers. The eight heads of department felt that doctors have awareness towards communication with teenagers but have little time available. Of the 38 attending physicians, 36 said they had learned from their older colleagues and confirmed gaps in postgraduate training.Discussion: This pioneering study in Portugal enabled the identification of areas that can be optimized, through health education programs for parents and adolescents, written information that is adequate to the different age groups, training in undergraduate education for medical students and also education in health institutions for professionals.Conclusion: Adolescents and parents, are unaware of legal and ethical standards for consent and assent. The implementation of the adolescents’ right to informed assent / informed consent was not observed. Our proposal is to implement local programs for adolescents and parents.

Download Full-text

Doctors and pharmacists provision and opinions of medicines information leaflets in New Zealand

International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy ◽

10.1007/s11096-018-0635-7 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 40 (3) ◽

pp. 676-685 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Amber Young ◽

June Tordoff ◽

Sharon Leitch ◽

Alesha Smith

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Information Leaflets ◽

Medicines Information

Download Full-text

The Needs and Resources of Drug Information at Community Pharmacies in Gondar Town, Northwest Ethiopia

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2017/8310636 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dessalegn Asmelashe Gelayee ◽

Gashaw Binega Mekonnen ◽

Mequanent Kassa Birarra

Keyword(s):

Treatment Guidelines ◽

Drug Information ◽

Community Pharmacists ◽

Relevant Information ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Northwest Ethiopia ◽

Information Resources ◽

National Standard ◽

Community Pharmacies ◽

Cross Sectional

Background. Community pharmacists are in a key position to provide information on drugs and thus promote the rational use of drugs. Objectives. The present study was designed to determine the needs and resources of drug information in community pharmacies. Methods. A prospective institution based cross-sectional study was carried out and data were collected on 48 community pharmacists in Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia, using interviewer administered structured questionnaire. Results. Almost all pharmacists (N=47, 97.9%) often receive drug related queries and these were mainly from consumers (N=41, 85.4%). While most questions relate to drug price (N=29, 60.4%) and dosage (N=21, 43.8%), the information resources mainly referred to were drug package inserts and national standard treatment guidelines. However, limited availability of information resources as well as limited ability to retrieve relevant information influenced the practice of pharmacists. Female pharmacists claimed better use of different information resources than males (P<0.05). Conclusions. Community pharmacists in Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia, are often accessed for drug related information. But there are limitations in using up to date and most reliable resources. Therefore, intervention aimed at improving pharmacists’ access to and evaluation of drug information is urgently needed.

Download Full-text

Do South African general practitioners believe that ‘Exercise is Medicine’?

South African Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.17159/2413-3108/2013/v25i1a387 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 18 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

ED Watson ◽

T Khan ◽

CM Crear

Keyword(s):

South African ◽

General Practitioners ◽

Population Level ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Primary Care Level ◽

Written Information ◽

Perceptions And Attitudes ◽

Treatment Of Obesity

Background. Physical activity (PA) has been described as medicine, owing to the clear evidence for its role in the prevention and management of various diseases.Objectives. To determine the knowledge, perceptions and attitudes of South African general practitioners (GPs) towards the promotionof PA.Methods. A total of 255 private-sector GPs from various provinces in SA participated in our cross-sectional study, by completing a selfreportquestionnaire surveying their knowledge, perceptions and attitudes towards the promotion of PA.Results. The findings indicated that South African GPs in general do promote PA to their patients for treatment and health promotion. Themajority of GPs in our study strongly believed that promoting PA is an important part of primary healthcare. The GPs frequently promotedexercise in the treatment of obesity, type 2 diabetes and hyperlipidaemia.Conclusion. South African GPs appear to be recommending PA to their patients at a primary-care level. Clear practice guidelines are needed to promote PA in a way that will have a population-level impact. To aid this, GPs are encouraged to provide written information to promote PA in a way that will have an effect.

Download Full-text

Electronic transmission of prescriptions in primary care: transformation, timing and teamwork

Journal of Primary Health Care ◽

10.1071/hc21050 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 340

Author(s):

Chloë Campbell ◽

Caroline Morris ◽

Lynn McBain

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

New Zealand ◽

General Practitioners ◽

Community Pharmacists ◽

Unintended Consequences ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Interprofessional Communication ◽

Potential Benefits ◽

Handwritten Signature ◽

Purposive Sample

ABSTRACTINTRODUCTIONDuring the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic lockdown in New Zealand in March 2020, there was a rapid shift to virtual consultations in primary care. This change was supported by system adjustments to enable electronic transmission of prescriptions without a handwritten signature if they met certain security criteria. International research suggests potential for unintended consequences with such changes, so it is important to understand the effect on professional practice in New Zealand general practice and community pharmacy.AIMThe purpose of this study was to undertake a preliminary exploration of the experiences of New Zealand general practitioners and community pharmacists when prescriptions are transmitted electronically directly from prescriber to pharmacy.METHODSSemi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of four pharmacists and four general practitioners gathered qualitative data about their experiences of the shift to electronic transmission of prescriptions. Participants’ perceptions of effect on professional workflow, interprofessional interactions between general practitioners and pharmacists, and interactions with patients were explored. Interviews were audio-recorded, and the data analysed thematically using an inductive approach.RESULTSFour themes were identified: workflow transformation; mixed impact on interactions with patients; juggling timing and expectations; and new avenues for interprofessional communication (with some cul-de-sacs).DISCUSSIONBoth general practitioners and pharmacists experienced transformational changes to workflow. This was positive for general practitioners due to saved time and increased work flexibility. Pharmacists noted potential benefits but also some challenges. To fully reap teamwork benefits, more work is needed on managing the timing issues and patient expectations, and to refine the new modes of communication between health-care practitioners.

Download Full-text