scholarly journals Preceptors' Need For Support In Tutoring Pharmacy Students in Finnish Community Pharmacies

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulla Löfhjelm ◽  
Katja Pitkä ◽  
Sanna Passi ◽  
Marja Airaksinen
Keyword(s):  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Pharmacy Practice ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Reflective Dialogue ◽  
Assessment Of Learning ◽  
Financial Interests ◽  
Care Guidelines ◽  
Need For Support ◽  
Giving Feedback

A pharmacy degree in Finland includes a six-month obligatory internship. The internship is integrated with theoretical studies and adds up to 30 European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credits of the BSc (Pharm) degree. Learning is supported by reflective assignments from the university. The preceptors have an important role in organizing the internship and tutoring students successfully in community pharmacy settings. Objective: to assess whether the preceptors of University of Helsinki’s teaching pharmacies need pedagogic support in tutoring and if so, in which core pharmaceutical tasks or tutoring skills. Methods: The survey was sent to all preceptors of University of Helsinki´s teaching pharmacies (n=326) in 2011 (response rate 58%, n=190). The data was analyzed statistically using Excel (version 12.3.6). The open-ended questions were analyzed by qualitative content analysis. Results: The majority of preceptors found their skills in tutoring the students mainly good. However, assessment of learning (27% of the respondents), giving feedback (23%) and organizing the learning situations supportive for learning (23%) were the areas in which the preceptors mostly indicated a need for support. Teaching current care guidelines and pharmaceutical care (36%) and multi-professional collaboration (28%) were the areas in which the preceptors expressed that they needed to update their skills. Conclusions: The faculty should focus the support on the pedagogic skills of preceptors, particularly in improving their skills in assessment of learning and in reflective dialogue. In addition, their skills in teaching clinical and patient care aspects of pharmacy practice should be enhanced. Conflict of Interest We declare no conflicts of interest or financial interests that the authors or members of their immediate families have in any product or service discussed in the manuscript, including grants (pending or received), employment, gifts, stock holdings or options, honoraria, consultancies, expert testimony, patents and royalties   Type: Original Research  

scholarly journals Multiple Bosses: Challenges and suggestions to improve organizational environments in academic settings.

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnes Ann Feemster ◽  
T. Joseph Mattingly
Keyword(s):  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Pharmacy Practice ◽  
Job Dissatisfaction ◽  
Additional Stress ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Organizational Environments ◽  
Academic Settings ◽  
Financial Interests ◽  
Reporting Structure ◽  
Teaching Responsibilities

Practice faculty members are often supervised by more than one individual, creating a reporting structure that mirrors a matrix organization. They are tasked with balancing administrative and teaching responsibilities established by the school with expectations of maintaining a pharmacy practice site. A matrix reporting structure offers opportunities for enhanced development, but risks of additional stress from the organizational complexity must be mitigated to reduce job dissatisfaction. Frequent and consistent communication, mutual agreement and alignment of expectations and priorities, and the ability to manage conflict and adapt to change will aid pharmacy practice faculty in managing the relationship between their primary employer (the school) and the contracted entity. Conflict of Interest We declare no conflicts of interest or financial interests that the authors or members of their immediate families have in any product or service discussed in the manuscript, including grants (pending or received), employment, gifts, stock holdings or options, honoraria, consultancies, expert testimony, patents and royalties.   Type: Original Research

scholarly journals Pharmacy Practice: Exploring the Relationship between SSRIs and Sodium Levels in an Older Adult Population

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonya L Anderson ◽  
Nita Johnston
Keyword(s):  
Older Patients ◽  
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Sodium Level ◽  
Screening Tool ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Pharmacy Practice ◽  
Hospital Data ◽  
Inappropriate Use ◽  
Financial Interests

I was asked to examine the presence of hyponatremia (<130 mEq/L) in older patients (>65 years) taking Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) at Moses Cone Hospital. The presence of hyponatremia in older patients using SSRIs indicates potentially inappropriate use according to the STOPP (Screening Tool of Older Persons’ Potentially Inappropriate Prescriptions) and START (Screening Tool to Alert Doctors to Right Treatment) criteria6. This study was done to assess possible risk factors for potentially inappropriate use of SSRIs by older patients at Moses Cone Hospital. Data collected included the patient’s sex, age, sodium level, and the date the sodium level was drawn. Data also included the specific SSRI and the starting date for the SSRI. The study showed no relationship between age, sex, SSRI prescribed and hyponatremia. However, patients that were prescribed an SSRI for less than a year were more at risk for hyponatremia. Therefore, in order to minimize the risk of hyponatremia, additional monitoring may need to be added at SSRI initiation, three months, six months, and one year, especially in patients with other medications that may lower sodium levels. Conflict of Interest We declare no conflicts of interest or financial interests that the authors or members of their immediate families have in any product or service discussed in the manuscript, including grants (pending or received), employment, gifts, stock holdings or options, honoraria, consultancies, expert testimony, patents and royalties.   Type: Student Project

scholarly journals Community Pharmacist Attitudes on Medication Synchronization Programs

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Witry ◽  
Thao Hoang
Keyword(s):  
Community Pharmacist ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Patient Adherence ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Medication Therapy ◽  
Financial Interests ◽  
Significant Change

Background: Medication synchronization is a service offered by an increasing number of community pharmacies that aligns refilling of a patient’s multiple medications. Purported benefits include increased adherence and improved dispensing efficiency. Objective: To assess community pharmacist agreement with a set of declarative statements about medication synchronization programs and to identify variation related to pharmacist characteristics. Methods: In 2015, a cross-sectional survey was mailed to 1,000 pharmacists from 5 Midwestern U.S. states using 4-contacts and an online option. Respondents used a 7-point Likert scale to agree or disagree with 5 statements about medication synchronization. Demographic and workplace characteristics were collected. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and factor analysis. Multiple linear regression tested the relationship between pharmacist characteristics and a 4-item attitude composite. Results: There were 258 usable responses for a response rate of 28.8%. About half (45.0%) reported their pharmacy offered medication synchronization. Most pharmacists (82.6%) agreed this service has a positive impact on patient adherence but 57% agreed that a “significant change to workflow” was or would be required. Pharmacist agreement that the program provides financial benefits to the pharmacy was higher than agreement that the service provides more opportunities for patient interactions (p<0.001). In the multiple regression analysis, having a PharmD and working at a pharmacy offering Medication Therapy Management were associated with more positive scores on the medication synchronization benefits composite whereas working in a staff role (rather than a manager/owner) was lower. No demographic predictors were significantly associated with agreeing that a significant change to workflow would be required for implementation. Conclusions: Pharmacists generally were positive about medication synchronization programs, although some negative views were present, especially regarding the need for workflow change. Research is needed to understand barriers and facilitators to how medication synchronization programs are implemented and maintained and their effects on outcomes. Conflict of Interest We declare no conflicts of interest or financial interests that the authors or members of their immediate families have in any product or service discussed in the manuscript, including grants (pending or received), employment, gifts, stock holdings or options, honoraria, consultancies, expert testimony, patents and royalties.   Type: Original Research

scholarly journals Third-Year Pharmacy Students’ Work Experiences and Attitudes

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark V Siracuse ◽  
Bartholomew E Clark
Keyword(s):  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Work Environment ◽  
Student Attitudes ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Pharmacy Practice ◽  
Pharmacy Students ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Hospital Inpatient ◽  
Work Schedule ◽  
Electronic Survey

Objectives. To describe pharmacy students’ work experience for pay; examine student attitudes towards work; examine student perceptions of how pharmacist preceptors feel about their jobs; and determine how pharmacy student work environment influences career aspirations and whether or not gender or academic pathway have any influences. Methods. An electronic survey was administered to third-year doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) students at a Midwestern school of pharmacy over five consecutive years. Results. Four hundred eighty nine students (response rate = 61.0%) completed the electronic survey instrument. Over 90% reported working in a pharmacy by the time their advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs) began. Of these respondents, 67.4% reported working in a community pharmacy while 23.0% reported working in hospital inpatient pharmacy. Students working for independent pharmacies were most likely to feel that this type of practice site would offer an optimal work schedule and work environment for their career. Conclusions. Most students are working in community pharmacy practice. Having a fulfilling career and a desirable work schedule was the variable most strongly associated with optimal career choice. Conflict of Interest We declare no conflicts of interest or financial interests that the authors or members of their immediate families have in any product or service discussed in the manuscript, including grants (pending or received), employment, gifts, stock holdings or options, honoraria, consultancies, expert testimony, patents and royalties.     Type: Original Research

scholarly journals Medical Spanish in U.S. Colleges and Schools of Pharmacy

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffrey A Mospan ◽  
Carrie L Griffiths
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Expert Testimony ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
The United States ◽  
Pharmacy Students ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Financial Interests ◽  
Pharmacy Curriculum ◽  
Spanish Education

Objective: To determine characteristics of Medical Spanish education provided to pharmacy students in schools and colleges of pharmacy in the United States. Methods: A survey of U.S. pharmacy schools and colleges was performed to determine availability of Medical Spanish in pharmacy curriculum, course(s) containing Medical Spanish education, and characteristics of Medical Spanish courses. Additional follow-up questions were asked if a school did not offer Medical Spanish. Results: 61 out of 138 institutions completed the survey (response rate = 44%). 36% (22/61) of respondents reported Medical Spanish education was offered in their curriculum. The most common barrier to offering a Medical Spanish course included a lack of personnel to teach the course (n=21, 54%) or no room in the curriculum (n=15, 38%). Conclusion: While there is a limited number of institutions that provide Medical Spanish education to their pharmacy students, results of this survey provide a basic description of Medical Spanish education in schools and colleges of pharmacy in the United States. Data obtained from this survey can be used to refine or initiate Medical Spanish courses, including the teaching and assessment methods used. Conflict of Interest We declare no conflicts of interest or financial interests that the authors or members of their immediate families have in any product or service discussed in the manuscript, including grants (pending or received), employment, gifts, stock holdings or options, honoraria, consultancies, expert testimony, patents and royalties   Type: Original Research

scholarly journals Patient Feedback on Pharmacist Prescribing for Minor Ailments in a Canadian Province

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeff G Taylor ◽  
Kerry Mansell
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Minor Ailment ◽  
Minor Ailments ◽  
Financial Interests ◽  
Canadian Provinces ◽  
One Year ◽  
A Minor

Background: Pharmacists have been given authority in many Canadian provinces to go beyond simply recommending over-the-counter medicines to patients with minor ailments. In Saskatchewan, they can prescribe medicines normally under the sole control of physicians for 17 conditions. An evaluation program is underway to assess the value of the program. Methods: Adults were recruited over a one-year period and were eligible for inclusion if prescribed an agent for an applicable condition. Pharmacists from 40 pharmacies participated in identifying people who received the service. Of patients agreeing to participate, a link to an online survey was provided. The survey included items on clinical improvement, care options, and patient confidence in knowing when to seek a physician for a minor ailment. Results: Forty-eight people were involved in prescribing encounters, with the majority seeking help for themselves. All but one saw their symptoms improve subsequent to pharmacist assistance, most often to a significant extent. Satisfaction with the service was high. Convenience and trust in pharmacists were primary reasons for choosing the service over medical care (rather than an issue potentially more worrisome such as not having a family physician). Had this service not been in place, 30.6% of those asking for help would have gone to a medical clinic or emergency room. Seventy-five percent were (at least) very confident in knowing when to seek a physician (rather than a pharmacist) for such conditions. Conclusion: Information on the clinical outcomes of pharmacist-led minor ailment care is starting to accrue in Saskatchewan. While the numbers are extremely low to date, what has become available suggests the service is of value to the citizens of the province, it is chosen for appropriate reasons, and is of an acceptable standard of care. Conflict of Interest We declare no conflicts of interest or financial interests that the authors or members of their immediate families have in any product or service discussed in the manuscript, including grants (pending or received), employment, gifts, stock holdings or options, honoraria, consultancies, expert testimony, patents and royalties. However, the authors are pharmacists licensed within the province and bring this perspective to this evaluation of a pharmacy-based program.   Type: Original Research

scholarly journals Utilizing an Innovative Preceptor Video Mini-Series to Prepare Students for Experiential Rotations: Does it Work?

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig D Cox ◽  
Nephy G Samuel
Keyword(s):  
Financial Incentives ◽  
Teaching Method ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Pharmacy Practice ◽  
Training Model ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Innovative Teaching ◽  
Professional Students ◽  
Strongly Agree ◽  
Viewing Sessions

Objectives: To determine whether an innovative Mini-Series training model originally developed for preceptors could be beneficial to pharmacy students prior to and/or after beginning their introductory or advanced pharmacy practice experiences. Methods: This program consists of twelve incremental video episodes, each ranging from five to eight minutes in length. It tells the story of a young pharmacy preceptor as she guides a third and fourth year student through a challenging six-week clinical hospital rotation. Two to three reflection questions were written for each individual episode, focusing on student issues portrayed in the videos. Two-hour viewing sessions, consisting of all (12) video episodes and facilitated student reflection were held for 2nd – 4th year professional students on two campuses. At conclusion of each session, students completed a short evaluation to gauge the effectiveness and potential application of the Mini-Series program. Results: Fifty-six (56) students (22 fourth-year, 6 third-ear, and 28 second-year) participated in the voluntary viewing sessions. All students either agreed or strongly agreed that the Mini-Series program was entertaining and educational. In addition, 82% of students strongly agreed this program would be beneficial for students prior to taking their first experiential rotation, while only 47% strongly agreed it would be beneficial after they had started rotations. On a 5-point Likert scale (1=strongly disagree, 5=strongly agree), participants reported a mean of 4.6 that this medium is more effective than traditional lecture orientations held by the Office of Experiential Programs. On three open-ended questions, students provided a diversity of suggestions for enhancing the Mini-Series to make it more effective for students. Implications: The “Mini-Series” model was well received by students as a training medium to deliver educational content. As a result, more programs are being developed utilizing this innovative teaching method to help prepare students for future experiential rotations. Conflict of Interest The authors report no conflicts of interest or financial incentives to disclose related to this project. Dr. Craig D. Cox conceptualized, developed, and directed the Mini-Seriesprogram described in the manuscript. All funding for and all income generated by the program studied is the property of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy.   Type: Original Research

scholarly journals Injudicious Provision of Subtherapeutic Doses of Antibiotics in Community Pharmacies

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed E Amin ◽  
Amira Amine ◽  
Mohammad Shoukry Newegy
Keyword(s):  
Conflict Of Interest ◽  
Expert Testimony ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Beta Lactam ◽  
Pharmacy Staff ◽  
Beta Lactam Antibiotics ◽  
Financial Interests ◽  
Group A

Background: Egyptian pharmacists routinely provide antibiotics without a prescription. A few pills of common cold products are offered under the name “cold group”. A cold group may contain one or more pills of antibiotics. This study aimed to estimate the proportion of pharmacies that provide subtherapeutic doses of antibiotics in community pharmacies as part of a CG or upon direct request from a simulated client. Methods: A probability sample of community pharmacies in Alexandria, Egypt was selected. A simulated client approached pharmacy staff using a standardized scenario. He initially requested a cold group and followed by requesting two antibiotic pills.Results: The simulated client visited 104 pharmacies and was sold an antibiotic at 68 pharmacies in total. A cold group with one or more antibiotic pills was provided in 31 pharmacies. Upon request for two antibiotic pills, 2-8 antibiotic pills were provided in 30 pharmacies whereas an antibiotic carton was provided in three pharmacies. In four pharmacies, the simulated client was sold a cold group containing an antibiotic as well as another antibiotic upon request. Beta-lactam antibiotics comprised 76% of antibiotics provided. In five encounters, the simulated client was told that the cold group contained an antibiotic when, in fact, it did not. Conclusions: Subtherapeutic doses of antibiotics are provided at dangerous rates in Alexandria’s community pharmacies. Interventions are urgently needed to tackle different factors contributing to this dangerous practice. Conflict of Interest We declare no conflicts of interest or financial interests that the authors or members of their immediate families have in any product or service discussed in the manuscript, including grants (pending or received), employment, gifts, stock holdings or options, honoraria, consultancies, expert testimony, patents and royalties   Type: Original Research

scholarly journals A Qualitative Analysis of Student Pharmacists’ Response after an Auditory Hallucination Simulation

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 4
Author(s):  
Genevieve L Ness ◽  
J. Michael McGuire ◽  
Prisca Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Analysis ◽  
Expert Testimony ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Auditory Hallucination ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Pharmacy Students ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Faith Based ◽  
Financial Interests ◽  
Question Prompt

Objectives: The goal of this research was to evaluate pharmacy students’ experiences and reactions when exposed to an auditory hallucination simulator. Methods: A convenient sample of 16 pharmacy students enrolled in the Advanced Psychiatry Elective at a private, faith-based university in the southeastern United States was selected. Students participated in an activity in which they listened to an auditory hallucination simulator from their personal laptop computers and completed a variety of tasks. Following the conclusion of the simulator, students composed a reflection guided by a five-question prompt. Qualitative analysis of the reflections was then completed to identify and categorize overarching themes. Results: The overarching themes identified included: 1) students mentioned strategies they used to overcome the distraction; 2) students discussed how the voices affected their ability to complete the activities; 3) students discussed the mental/physical toll they experienced; 4) students identified methods to assist patients with schizophrenia; 5) students mentioned an increase in their empathy for patients; 6) students reported their reactions to the voices; 7) students recognized how schizophrenia could affect the lives of these patients; and 8) students expressed how their initial expectations and reactions to the voices changed throughout the course of the simulation. Overall, the use of this simulator as a teaching aid was well received by students. Summary: In conclusion, pharmacy students were impacted by the hallucination simulator and expressed an increased awareness of the challenges faced by these patients on a daily basis. Conflict of Interest We declare no conflicts of interest or financial interests that the authors or members of their immediate families have in any product or service discussed in the manuscript, including grants (pending or received), employment, gifts, stock holdings or options, honoraria, consultancies, expert testimony, patents and royalties.   Type: Original Research

Publishing ethics in paediatric research: A cross-cultural comparative review

2012 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 268-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inger Brännström
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Systematic Bias ◽  
Comparative Review ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Publishing Ethics

The present article aims to scrutinize publishing ethics in the fields of paediatrics and paediatric nursing. Full-text readings of all original research articles in paediatrics from a high-income economy, i.e. Sweden, and from all low-income economies in Sub-Saharan Africa, were reviewed as they were indexed and stored in Web of Science for the search period from 1 January 2007 to 7 October 2009. The application of quantitative and qualitative content analysis revealed a marked discrepancy in publishing frequencies between the two contrasting economies. Authors from 16 low-income economies in Sub-Saharan Africa, with at least one article stored, were obviously closely linked to co-authorships and foreign funding sources, predominantly from Europe and the USA. Statements concerning conflicts of interest were frequently missing (both regions), even when multiple financial sources, including companies, were involved. It is necessary to be aware of possible systematic bias when using electronic databases to search for certain topics and regions. Further research regarding publishing ethics in paediatrics and paediatric nursing is emphasized.

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