A survey of Alberta pharmacists’ attitudes, comfort and perceived barriers to a community-based naloxone program

Background: Community pharmacists play an important role in the wellness of patients, families and friends affected by prescription and illicit opioid drugs. They are key partners of the Community Based Naloxone (CBN) Program in Alberta and similar programs across other Canadian jurisdictions. This publicly funded program is an evidence-based response to the opioid overdose crisis, facilitating access to and distribution of naloxone kits through pharmacies. The study aimed to describe Alberta community pharmacists’ practices, training, comfort levels and views in dispensing naloxone kits through the CBN program and detail potential perceived barriers to program participation. Methods: The study was conducted as a cross-sectional online survey of Alberta pharmacists. Data collected from the survey were descriptive and evaluated using Microsoft Excel. Fisher exact tests were used to study the associations in responses among several demographic characteristics and related to dispensing practices, pharmacists’ beliefs and perceived barriers. Results: A total of 255 responses were included in the final analysis, with 89.8% of pharmacists replying “yes” to CBN program participation. Pharmacists on average were “comfortable” dispensing naloxone to patients for varying indications, with 85% reporting always providing education when dispensing naloxone to an individual for the first time. About 41% of pharmacists reported no barriers to the program, with the most common perceived barriers being lack of time (29%), demand (20%) and funding (19%). Conclusion: Most community pharmacists who responded to the survey participate in the CBN program in Alberta. They held positive beliefs about their role in screening patients for the risk of opioid overdose and are confident in their abilities to recommend and educate on naloxone kits. Proactive screening appeared lower, however, and dispensing kits were potentially variable. Addressing factors such as time, funding for services and demand may help further pharmacist uptake and success of the program. Can Pharm J (Ott) 2021;154:xx-xx.

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A National Survey of Community Pharmacists on Smoking Cessation Services in Thailand

Pharmacy ◽

10.3390/pharmacy6030101 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 101 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Surarong Chinwong ◽

Dujrudee Chinwong

Keyword(s):

Smoking Cessation ◽

Community Pharmacists ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Postal Questionnaire ◽

Pharmaceutical Product ◽

Perceived Barriers ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Smoking Cessation Services ◽

First Time

Providing smoking cessation services is one role of community pharmacists in Thailand. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate activities and barriers related to smoking cessation services provided in community pharmacies in Thailand, as well as to compare these activities and barriers between those pharmacists providing and those not providing smoking cessation services. A postal questionnaire was conducted to collect information from community pharmacists across Thailand. In all, 413 valid responses were received from 5235 questionnaires, giving a 7.9% response rate. Of the 413 respondents, 152 (37%) pharmacists provided smoking cessation services in their pharmacy. The activities of smoking cessation services varied. Time for counseling each smoker varied, a mean of 15.1 ± 10.9 min (range 1–60) per person for the first time, and 8.9 ± 6.7 min (range 1–30) for each follow-up visit. Community pharmacists, providing smoking cessation services, were more likely to have pharmacist assistants, be a member of the Thai Pharmacy Network for Tobacco Control, and have more than 1 pharmacist on duty. The most dispensed pharmaceutical product for smoking cessation was nicotine gum. Their most perceived barriers were being unable to follow-up and inadequate staff. In conclusion, only a minority of community pharmacists in Thailand are engaged in smoking cessation activities, even though some perceived barriers existed.

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The role of community pharmacists in immunisation: a national cross-sectional study

International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy ◽

10.1007/s11096-021-01357-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Nikolaus Lindner ◽

Martin Riesenhuber ◽

Thomas Müller-Uri ◽

Anita Elaine Weidmann

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Theoretical Domains Framework ◽

Community Pharmacists ◽

Final Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Patient Contact ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Ethical Approval ◽

The Right

AbstractBackground Austrian pharmacists are not authorised to administer immunisations, and evidence about their willingness to immunise is lacking. Aim The aim of this study is to investigate Austrian community pharmacists’ willingness to administer immunisations in the future. Method This study is designed as a cross-sectional online survey based on the theoretical domains framework (TDF). The validated and piloted questionnaire obtained ethical approval by Robert Gordon University. Outcome measures included pharmacists’ willingness to immunise, service requirements, barriers and education needs. Results The questionnaire was sent out to 3086 community pharmacists of which 380 responses were included in the final analysis (12.3%). Willingness to administer immunisations after appropriate training and legislative regulation was stated by 82.6% (n = 314) of participants. It was demonstrated that pharmacists willing to immunise were significantly younger than their counterpart (38 [IQR 31–49] years vs. 45 [IQR 37.5–54] years; OR 1.06; 1.03–1.09, 95% CI; p < 0.001). ‘Legal liability’ was considered the most critical barrier to service implementation, ‘seeing blood’ and ‘close patient contact’ as least critical. Pharmacists not willing to immunise showed a higher probability to evaluate personnel resources (OR 2.98; 1.35–6.58, 95% CI; p = 0.007), close patient contact (OR 2.79; 1.46–5.34, 95% CI; p = 0.002) and management of side effects (OR 2.62; 1.21–5.67, 95% CI; p = 0.015) as (highly) critical. The majority assessed the ‘right timing for training’ to be after the foundation training with a 2-yearly renewal. Conclusion Austrian community pharmacists show a strong willingness to administer immunisations while highlighting important requirements and barriers towards service implementation.

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Perceptions of Independent Pharmacist Prescribing among Health Authority- and Community-Based Pharmacists in Northern British Columbia

Pharmacy ◽

10.3390/pharmacy9020092 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 92

Author(s):

Jordan Lewis ◽

Arden R. Barry ◽

Katie Bellefeuille ◽

Robert T. Pammett

Keyword(s):

British Columbia ◽

Health Authority ◽

Online Survey ◽

Community Pharmacists ◽

Collaborative Practice ◽

Regulatory Body ◽

Community Based ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Pharmacist Prescribing ◽

Insight Into

Pharmacists across Canada have varying degrees of ability to prescribe medications depending on their jurisdiction of licensure. The purpose of this study was to the evaluate attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions of independent pharmacist prescribing among health authority- and community-based pharmacists. This prospective, cross-sectional online survey assessed the perceptions of independent pharmacist prescribing of health authority and community pharmacists practising in northern British Columbia (BC), which was defined as within the geographical boundaries of Northern Health. Responses were analysed using descriptive statistics and a regression analysis. There were 45 respondents to the survey: 22 community pharmacists and 23 health authority pharmacists. Both community and health authority pharmacists held positive perceptions of independent pharmacist prescribing and did not identify any barriers to incorporating independent pharmacist prescribing into their practice. Respondents were highly likely to apply for independent pharmacist prescribing authority, if available. Pharmacists in BC are currently not able to independently prescribe schedule I medications. The provincial regulatory body has proposed a framework for a Certified Pharmacist Prescriber designation, which if approved would allow pharmacists to prescribe in collaborative practice settings. This study provides some insight into the perception of pharmacists in northern BC in pursuing this designation, which may be valuable for planning purposes in case of adoption of the framework. These results are also likely applicable to other non-urban practice settings in Canada. Pharmacists in northern BC perceived independent pharmacist prescribing positively and a high proportion were likely to apply for this authority if it were permitted via legislation.

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Barriers to Implementing a Pharmacist-Run Immunization Service, as Perceived by community Pharmacists in a Middle Eastern Country: A cross sectional web-based survey

10.21203/rs.3.rs-861898/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Dalal Youssef ◽

Linda Abou Abbas ◽

Hamad Hassan

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Middle Eastern ◽

Community Pharmacists ◽

Working Hours ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Perceived Barriers ◽

Previous Experience ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Immunization Service ◽

Immunization Services

Abstract Background: Several barriers to instigating a pharmacist-run immunization program existed. This survey aims to identify the barriers perceived by Lebanese community pharmacists (CPs) to implementing such a program and the association of these barriers with their willingness to provide immunization services.Methods:A cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted over the period of time extending between the 1st of November and the end of December 2020 among Lebanese community pharmacists. The questionnaire included information on their socio-demographic characteristics, willingness to vaccinate and the perceived barriers to the run of immunization service. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 24.0. Two logistic regression were conducted, one to identify factors associated with pharmacists high perception of barriers and another one to determine the predictors of the pharmacist’s willingness to vaccinate.Results:Out of the 412 surveyed community pharmacists, 67.48% of them were willing to expand their practice scope to include immunization. The main perceived barriers were the conflict with other professionals, liability, and reimbursements concerns, time for professional development and lack of knowledge of adverse events after immunization. Our results showed that females were more likely to perceive barriers than males (aOR=2.460, 95% CI (1.876:6.909)). However, pharmacists reporting previous experience in immunization (aOR=0.250, 95% CI (0.170:0.586)), working in urban area (aOR=0.451, 95% CI (0.199:0.926)) and having extensive working hours (aOR=0.244, 95% CI (0.05:1.2)) were less likely to perceive barriers. Female pharmacists were less willing to vaccinate (aOR=0.211, 95% CI (0.116:0.383)). However, having less than 40 years old (aOR=2.518, 95% CI (1.236:5.130)), having large experience ((aOR=1.78, 95% CI (1.087 to 2.993)) or previous experience in immunization (aOR=1.702, 95% CI (1.092 to 3.141)), being pharmacy owner (aOR=1.504, 95% CI (1.098:2.103)) and working more than 24 hours per week (aOR=2.622, 95% CI (1.447:4.752) were positively associated to the willingness to vaccinate. Pharmacists who perceived reimbursement (aOR=0.449 with 95% CI (0.264-0.765)), lack of pharmacy space (aOR=0.410 with 95% CI (0.158-1.060)), sharp safety (aOR=0.298 with 95% CI (0.146-0.609)) and insufficient staff (aOR=0.388 with 95% CI (0.190-0.794)) as barriers were less likely to implement pharmacy-run immunization.Conclusion:Addressing the identified barriers driving pharmacist’s lower willingness to vaccinate would be required to fully harness the potential of pharmacists as vaccinators.

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Knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAPs) of Community pharmacists regarding COVID-19: A cross-sectional survey in two provinces of Pakistan

Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness ◽

10.1017/dmp.2021.54 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-23

Author(s):

Khayal Muhammad ◽

Muhammad Saqlain ◽

Gul Muhammad ◽

Ataullah Hamdard ◽

Muhammad Naveed ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Good Practice ◽

Community Pharmacists ◽

Vital Role ◽

Good Knowledge ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Validated Questionnaire ◽

Knowledge Age ◽

Good Attitude

Abstract The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic having no therapy and pharmacists being a part of the healthcare system had a vital role in the management of COVID-19. The purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAPs) of community pharmacists (CPs) regarding COVID-19. An online survey was conducted among 393 CPs in two provinces of Pakistan during the lockdown period. A validated questionnaire (Cronbach alpha, 0.745) was used for data collection. All statistical analysis was analyzed by using SPSS version 21. Among 393 participants, 71.5% (n=281) had good knowledge, 44% (n=175) positive attitude and 57.3% (n=225) had good practice regarding COVID-19. Social media (45.29%, n=178) was reported as the main source to seek information of COVID-19. Good knowledge, age ≥ 26 years and Ph.D. degree level were the substantial determinants (p= <0.05) of a good attitude. Similarly, community pharmacist who had an experience of >5 years, hold a Ph.D. degree, good knowledge and good attitude had higher odds of good practice as compared to reference categories (p= <0.05). In short, majority of CPs had good knowledge, but had a poor attitude and practice towards the COVID-19. Standard-structured educational and counselling programs for CPs regarding COVID-19 are needed for effective management.

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Physicians’ Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Generic Substitution in China: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18157749 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (15) ◽

pp. 7749

Author(s):

Mingyue Zhao ◽

Lingyi Zhang ◽

Zhitong Feng ◽

Yu Fang

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Generic Substitution ◽

Generic Drugs ◽

Final Analysis ◽

Generic Medicine ◽

Generic Medicines ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Ordered Logistic Regression ◽

Tertiary Hospitals

The purpose of this study is to investigate physicians’ knowledge, attitudes and practice of generic medicine substitutions in China. We conducted a cross-sectional online questionnaire survey on physicians from secondary or tertiary hospitals in China from 2020 December to 2021 April. Descriptive statistical and ordered logistic regression were used for analysis. A total of 1225 physicians were included in the final analysis, and only 330 (26.94%) of them scored 4 or above in the knowledge part, which means that the physicians have a good knowledge of generic substitutions. Of the total, 586 (47.83%) agreed or strongly agreed that generic drugs could be substituted for originator drugs and 585 (47.75%) always or often prescribed generic medicines. The percentage of physicians with a positive attitude toward or that practice prescribing generic medicine is below 50%, which needs to be improved in China. Physicians’ knowledge, their attitude toward generic substitution, if familiar with the policy of generic substitution, and incentives for prescribing generic medicines are influencing factors for the practice of generic substitution. Our studies show that the practice of generic substitution by physicians could be improved by several measures in China. We suggested that the physicians should be taught more about the bulk-buy policy and the generic-originator equivalence evaluation policy. Moreover, government incentives to promote generic substitution should be established. Our study also suggested that physicians with less working experience and female physicians should learn more about generic substitution.

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Australian pharmacists’ willingness to conduct rapid HIV testing in community pharmacies

Sexual Health ◽

10.1071/sh16031 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 292

Author(s):

Anthony J. Santella ◽

Timothy E. Schlub ◽

Damien Fagan ◽

Richard J. Hillman ◽

Ines Krass

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Hiv Testing ◽

Online Survey ◽

Community Pharmacists ◽

Community Pharmacies ◽

Hiv Patients ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Rapid Hiv Testing ◽

Australian Community

Community pharmacists are expanding their roles in health care, especially as they are distributed over wide geographical areas and are often open long hours. New rapid HIV testing technologies may offer further opportunities to expand their roles. A cross-sectional, online survey of Australian community pharmacists found most prepared to provide treatment to HIV patients, with the majority willing to become involved in rapid HIV testing.

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Evaluating Specimen Quality and Results from a Community-Wide, Home-Based Respiratory Surveillance Study

10.1101/2020.12.07.415653 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ashley E. Kim ◽

Elisabeth Brandstetter ◽

Naomi Wilcox ◽

Jessica Heimonen ◽

Chelsey Graham ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Respiratory Infections ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Respiratory Pathogen ◽

Respiratory Pathogens ◽

Sample Collection ◽

Community Based ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Home Based ◽

Pathogen Screening

AbstractIntroductionWhile influenza and other respiratory pathogens cause significant morbidity and mortality, the community-based burden of these infections remains incompletely understood. The development of novel methods to detect respiratory infections is essential for mitigating epidemics and developing pandemic-preparedness infrastructure.MethodsFrom October 2019 to March 2020, we conducted a home-based cross-sectional study in the greater Seattle area, utilizing electronic consent and data collection instruments. Participants received nasal swab collection kits via rapid delivery within 24 hours of self-reporting respiratory symptoms. Samples were returned to the laboratory and were screened for 26 respiratory pathogens and a human marker. Participant data were recorded via online survey at the time of sample collection and one week later.ResultsOf the 4,572 consented participants, 4,359 (95.3%) received a home swab kit, and 3,648 (83.7%) returned a nasal specimen for respiratory pathogen screening. The 3,638 testable samples had a mean RNase P CRT value of 19.0 (SD: 3.4) and 1,232 (33.9%) samples had positive results for one or more pathogens, including 645 (17.7%) influenza-positive specimens. Among the testable samples, the median time between shipment of the home swab kit and completion of laboratory testing was 8 days [IQR: 7.0-14.0].DiscussionHome-based surveillance using online participant enrollment and specimen self-collection is a feasible method for community-level monitoring of influenza and other respiratory pathogens, which can readily be adapted for use during pandemics.

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Low levels of chemsex among men who have sex with men, but high levels of risk among men who engage in chemsex: analysis of a cross-sectional online survey across four countries

Sexual Health ◽

10.1071/sh17159 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 144 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Jamie Frankis ◽

Paul Flowers ◽

Lisa McDaid ◽

Adam Bourne

Keyword(s):

Northern Ireland ◽

Drug Use ◽

Online Survey ◽

Illicit Drugs ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Republic Of Ireland ◽

Hiv Test ◽

The Republic ◽

Sex With Men ◽

First Time

Background This paper establishes the prevalence of chemsex drug use among men who have sex with men (MSM), the extent to which these drugs are used in a sexual context, as well as their associated behaviours and circumstances of use. Methods: Data from a cross-sectional, online survey of 2328 MSM recruited via gay sociosexual media in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland were analysed. Results: While almost half (48.8%) of participants had ever taken illicit drugs, lifetime chemsex drug use was less common (18.0%) and far fewer reported chemsex drug use in the last year (8.2%) or last 4 weeks (3.0%). Just over one-quarter (27.1%) of men who used chemsex drugs in the last year reported no sexualised drug use, but almost three-quarters (72.9%) did. Only 6.1% of the whole sample reported sexualised chemsex drug use in the last year. The odds of reporting chemsex in the last year were significantly higher for men aged 36–45 years (AOR = 1.96), single men (AOR = 1.83), men who were HIV positive (AOR = 4.01), men who report high-risk sex (AOR = 4.46), being fisted (AOR = 7.77) or had sex in exchange for goods other than money (AOR = 4.7) in the last year and men who reported an HIV test in the last 3 months (AOR = 1.53). Discussion: Only a small proportion of MSM in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland reported chemsex, and, for the first time, it is demonstrated that not all chemsex drug use was sexualised. Nevertheless, MSM who engage in chemsex (MWEC) reported substantial sexual risk inequalities. These novel findings highlight several opportunities for intervention, particularly around the multiple vulnerabilities of MWEC, opportunities for early identification of those most vulnerable to chemsex-related harm and the potential to develop a specialised responsive patient pathway.

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COVID-19 complications and entrepreneurial intention among the entrepreneurs of Pakistan: evidence from the second wave of the pandemic

Journal of Science and Technology Policy Management ◽

10.1108/jstpm-12-2020-0175 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Bahadur Ali Soomro

Keyword(s):

Structural Equation ◽

Online Survey ◽

Final Analysis ◽

Entrepreneurial Intention ◽

Equation Model ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Content Type ◽

Negative Effect ◽

The Government ◽

Second Wave

Purpose At present, nearly the whole globe is facing a severe threat of COVID-19. This study aims to examine the COVID-19 complications and entrepreneurial intention among the entrepreneurs of Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach The study used a deductive approach. An online survey is conducted to collect cross-sectional data from entrepreneurs of Pakistan. Convenience sampling is applied to target the respondents. In total, 278 usable answers proceed for final analysis. The structural equation model (SEM) is used to infer the results. Findings The findings of the study highlight a significant negative effect of fear of COVID-19 (FO19), perceived susceptibility (PSU) and perceived severity (PSE) on entrepreneurial intention (EI) among the entrepreneurs. Practical implications The study would provide the guidelines for policymakers and planners to combat the barriers of fear, PSU and PSE during a pandemic. The findings of the second wave of COVID-19 may provide a warning to the government to take preventive measures to face the severe effect of the pandemic. Finally, the outcomes of the study may enrich the depth of COVID-19 literature globally. Originality/value This study is the first study highlighting factors such as fear, PSU and PSE toward EI in COVID-19 second wave.

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