Knowledge, Perceptions and Practices on Modified Release Tablets among Prescribers: A Preliminary Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 01 (01) ◽  
pp. 05-14
Author(s):  
M.G.K.M. Fernando ◽  
K.I.J. Priyadarshi ◽  
L.G.T. Shanika ◽  
N.R. Samaranayake
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Product Information ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Immediate Release ◽  
State Universities ◽  
Modified Release ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Therapeutic Outcomes ◽  
Medical Faculties ◽  
Enteric Coated

Introduction: Modified release tablets (MRTs) are developed to achieve different therapeutic outcomes and are frequently prescribed. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge, perceptions and practices on using MRTs among a selected cohort of prescribers. Methods: A self administered online survey was conducted using a pre-validated questionnaire, prepared in-house to assess knowledge, perceptions and practices on using MRTs, among academics with an MBBS degree in medical faculties of State universities in Sri Lanka. Results: The response rate was 15.5% among 375 prescribers. Most were females (53.4%) and were 46-55 years (29.3%). Over 50% correctly expanded abbreviations related to MRTs. Most defined enteric coated (87.9%) and targeted release (77.6%) forms accurately. However, 87.0% mixed-up definitions of sustained release with controlled release. Most believed that inability to split tablets (70.7%) and high cost (70.7%), as disadvantages of MRTs. Nearly half did not identify the risk of dose dumping (53.5%) and inflexible dosing schedule (44.8%) as disadvantages. For frequency of administering MRTs, 86.2% referred the product information leaflet (PIL) while 29.0% depended on the frequency of the corresponding immediate release tablet. Most (79.3%) prescribed MRTs to increase patient compliance while 12.1% prescribed them to reduce cost. When problems regarding MRTs were encountered, most referred PILs (81.0%) and clarified with experts (75.9%). Conclusions: Although the response rate was low, a clear gap in knowledge, perceptions and practices on using MRTs were identified among prescribers who responded. Interventions are needed to improve the knowledge, perceptions, and practices on using MRTs among prescribers.

scholarly journals Survey of Paediatric Oncologists and Pathologists regarding Their Views and Experiences with Variant Translocations in Ewing and Ewing-Like Sarcoma: A Report of the Children’s Oncology Group

Sarcoma ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Michael D. Kinnaman ◽  
Chong Zhu ◽  
Daniel A. Weiser ◽  
Sana Mohiuddin ◽  
Pooja Hingorani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Ewing Sarcoma ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Molecular Subtypes ◽  
Fusion Transcript ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Therapeutic Outcomes ◽  
Diagnostic Approaches

Advances in molecular diagnostics have identified subsets of Ewing and Ewing-like sarcomas driven by variant translocations with unique biology. It is likely that patients with these tumours will have different clinical features and therapeutic outcomes. Nevertheless, the management of these patients both locally and within cooperative group trials depends on the local pathological diagnosis. It is not known what molecular diagnostic approaches are employed by local pathologists or if the exact translocation is commonly determined. In addition, it is not known what therapeutic approaches are employed for these patients or what cooperative trials are deemed appropriate for these patients by expert consensus. To answer these questions, we performed an international survey of oncologists and pathologists to better understand the diagnostic approaches used to identify variant translocations and the influence the findings have on therapy and clinical trial eligibility. An online survey was distributed to oncologists and pathologists primarily in North America. A total of 141 surveys were completed, representing a 28% response rate. The majority of respondents considered EWSR1-ETS gene family translocations (range 61–96%) to be Ewing sarcoma and would include them on the primary arm of a Ewing sarcoma clinical trial. There was a lack of consensus on how to classify and stratify BCOR-CCNB3, CIC-DUX4, and EWSR1+ with non-ETS partner fusions. Most respondents were either unsure how their institution tested, or their institution did not perform the test. In cases with atypical Ewing morphology, most respondents favoured additional fusion transcript testing. There is a lack of consensus regarding the classification and stratification of rare molecular subtypes in Ewing sarcoma. It is not clear how these alternative translocations have impacted outcomes for past clinical studies. This suggests a need for molecular confirmation of diagnoses and centralized or minimum standardization of testing for future trial enrolment.

scholarly journals Assessing the utility and attitudes toward molecular testing in neuro-oncology: a survey of the Society for Neuro-Oncology members

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon Fortin Ensign ◽  
Maya Hrachova ◽  
Susan Chang ◽  
Maciej M Mrugala
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Unmet Needs ◽  
Practice Patterns ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Molecular Testing ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Tumor Boards ◽  
Oncology Practice

Abstract Background Molecular testing (MT) is utilized in neuro-oncology with increasing frequency. The aim of this study was to determine clinical practice patterns to acquire this information, interpret and utilize MT for patient care, and identify unmet needs in the practical clinical application of MT. Methods We conducted a voluntary online survey of providers within the Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO) membership database between March and April 2019. Results We received 152 responses out of 2022 SNO members (7.5% of membership). 88.8% of respondents routinely order MT for newly diagnosed gliomas. Of those who do not, testing is preferentially performed in younger patients or those with midline tumors. 82.8% use MT in recurrent gliomas. Other common indications included: metastatic tumors, meningioma, and medulloblastoma. Many providers utilize more than one resource (36.0%), most frequently using in-house (41.8%) over commercially available panels. 78.1% used the results for clinical decision-making, with BRAF, EGFR, ALK, and H3K27 mutations most commonly directing treatment decisions. Approximately, half (48.5%) of respondents have molecular tumor boards at their institutions. Respondents would like to see SNO-endorsed guidelines on MT, organized lists of targeted agents available for specific mutations, a database of targetable mutations and clinical trials, and more educational programs on MT. Conclusion This survey was marked by several limitations including response rate and interpretation of MT. Among respondents, there is routine use of MT in Neuro-Oncology, however, there remains a need for increased guidance for providers to effectively incorporate the expanding genomic data resulting from MT into daily Neuro-Oncology practice.

scholarly journals Consumer Preferences and Willingness to Pay for Potting Mix with Biochar

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 3432
Author(s):  
McKenzie Thomas ◽  
Kimberly L. Jensen ◽  
Dayton M. Lambert ◽  
Burton C. English ◽  
Christopher D. Clark ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Product Information ◽  
Consumer Preferences ◽  
Market Potential ◽  
Marginal Costs ◽  
Consumer Demographics ◽  
Market Shares ◽  
Potential Market ◽  
Dedicated Energy Crops

Biochar is a co-product of advanced biofuels production from feedstocks including food, agricultural, wood wastes, or dedicated energy crops. Markets for soil amendments using biochar are emerging, but little is known about consumer preferences and willingness to pay (WTP) for these products or the depth of the products’ market potential for this product. This research provides WTP estimates for potting mix amended with 25% biochar, conditioned on consumer demographics and attitudes about product information labeling. Data were collected with an online survey of 577 Tennessee home gardeners. WTP was elicited through a referendum contingent valuation. Consumer WTP for an 8.81 L bag of 25% biochar potting mix is $8.52; a premium of $3.53 over conventional potting mix. Demographics and attitudes toward biofuels and the environment influence WTP. Biochar amounts demanded are projected for the study area’s potential market. Optimal prices, profits, and market shares are estimated across different marginal costs of producing biochar potting mix.

Perspectives of physicians on medical acupuncture in Lebanon: a preliminary study

2020 ◽  
pp. 096452842096883
Author(s):  
Fadila Bassem Naji ◽  
Kamal Wahab ◽  
Ghassan Hamadeh ◽  
Sani Hlais
Keyword(s):  
Integrative Medicine ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Medical Curricula ◽  
Chinese Acupuncture ◽  
The Future ◽  
Preliminary Study ◽  
Medical Acupuncture ◽  
The Difference

Objectives: There are no regulations governing the practice of acupuncture in Lebanon as it is not yet registered as a profession. To our knowledge, no studies have ever been conducted in Lebanon regarding the practice of acupuncture. The purpose of this preliminary study was to explore the knowledge of Lebanese physicians about acupuncture, with the intent of conducting larger scale studies and developing strategies aimed at refining this knowledge in the future, and the ultimate goal of setting guidelines for acupuncture practice in Lebanon. Methods: An online survey looking into physicians’ knowledge of acupuncture, its mechanisms of action, effectiveness, indications and safety, and physicians’ understanding of its concepts, was circulated to 4651 physicians registered in the Lebanese orders of physicians. Results: One hundred forty-nine physicians (3.2%) completed the survey. Most study respondents stated that they were unaware of the difference between traditional Chinese acupuncture (TCA) and Western medical acupuncture (WMA). Overall, 30% of respondents had personally used and/or referred patients for acupuncture. Physicians who had personally tried acupuncture were more likely to refer patients for acupuncture (p < 0.001). Those who know the difference between WMA and TCA were more likely to have tried or referred for acupuncture (p = 0.004). 72% believed that acupuncture and other integrative medicine modules should be introduced in medical curricula in Lebanon. Conclusion: Interest in acupuncture among physicians in Lebanon appears to be limited, based on the low response rate. Among respondents, physicians who had tried or referred patients for acupuncture appeared to be more well informed about different acupuncture styles.

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

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.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Wheat/Gluten-Related Disorders and Gluten-Free Diet in Paraguay: An Online Survey-Based Study

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 396
Author(s):  
Noé Ontiveros ◽  
Raúl Emilio Real-Delor ◽  
José Antonio Mora-Melgem ◽  
Carlos Eduardo Beltrán-Cárdenas ◽  
Oscar Gerardo Figueroa-Salcido ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Latin American ◽  
Weight Control ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Wheat Gluten ◽  
Gluten Free Diet ◽  
Gluten Free ◽  
Questionnaire Response ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Validated Questionnaire

Gluten-related disorders (GRDs) are increasing around the world, but their magnitude and relevance remain unknown in most Latin American countries. Thus, an online survey was conducted to estimate the prevalence of GRDs as well as adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD) in Paraguayan adult population. There were 1058 individuals surveyed using a validated questionnaire (response rate of 93.9%). The self-reported prevalence rates were as follows (95% CI): gluten sensitivity (GS), 10.30% (8.53–12.29); non-celiac GS (NCGS), 5.19% (3.94–6.71); physician-diagnosed celiac disease (PD-CD), 3.11% (2.15–4.35); wheat allergy (WA), 2.07% (1.30–3.13); and adherence to GFD, 15.69% (13.55–18.02). Excluding CD, more women than men met the criteria for GRDs, adverse food reactions, and GFD (p < 0.05). Eight respondents reported the coexistence of NCGS with PD-CD and/or WA. Most cases on a GFD indicated medical/dietitian advice for following the diet (68.07%). Non-self-reported GS individuals indicated weight control (46.4%) and the notion that the GFD is healthier (20.2%) as the main motivations for following the diet. GRDs are not uncommon in Paraguayan adult population. It seems that there is awareness about GRDs and the GFD, but training about the diagnosis of GRDs is desirable because of the informed overlapping diagnoses of CD or WA with NCGS. Future studies involving face-to-face interviews are necessary.

scholarly journals Physical activity counselling in Ireland: a survey of doctors’ knowledge, attitudes and self-reported practice

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. e000572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah O'Brien ◽  
Lucia Prihodova ◽  
Mairéad Heffron ◽  
Peter Wright
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Royal College ◽  
Patient Preference ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Further Education ◽  
Pharmaceutical Intervention ◽  
And Training ◽  
Do So

ObjectivePhysical activity (PA) counselling has been shown to raise awareness of the importance of PA and to increase the rate of PA engagement among patients. While much attention has been paid to examining the knowledge, attitudes and practice of general practitioners in relation to PA counselling, there is less literature examining such issues in hospital-based doctors in Ireland and further afield. This study aimed to explore doctors’ PA counselling practices and to analyse how this related to their level of PA knowledge, training and attitudes.MethodsAn invitation to participate in an online survey was sent to 4692 members of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland who were listed as having an address in Ireland. Descriptive and explorative analyses of the data were performed using IBM SPSS V.22.0.ResultsA total of 595 valid responses were included (response rate 12.7%; 42.7% male, 42.6±12.1 years). The majority reported enquiring about PA levels (88.0%) and providing PA counselling (86.4%) in at least some of their patients. Doctors who saw it as their role and those who felt more effective/confident in providing PA counselling were significantly more likely to do so. A perceived lack of patient interest in PA and patient preference for pharmaceutical intervention were significant barriers to undertaking PA counselling.ConclusionThis study demonstrates the need for further education and training in PA counselling in Ireland with a particular focus on improving the attitudes and self-efficacy of doctors in this area at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Shattering the Glass Podium: Successes and Setbacks of Women in Collegiate Choral Conducting

2021 ◽  
pp. 875512332110183
Author(s):  
Melissa Baughman
Keyword(s):  
Gender Discrimination ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
The United States ◽  
Choral Conducting ◽  
Demographic Information ◽  
Choral Conductors ◽  
The Status ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Experiences Of Women

The purpose of this study was to explore the status and experiences of women in collegiate choral conducting positions. Out of all collegiate choral conductors ( N = 992) at institutions accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music in the United States, 68.65% ( n = 681) were men and 31.35% ( n = 311) were women at the time of this study; I invited the women collegiate choral conductors to serve as study participants. Ninety-six respondents completed an online survey, resulting in a response rate of 30.86%. I collected data through a researcher-designed survey. First, I asked respondents to provide demographic information and respond to Likert-type and open-ended prompts related to three domains: gaining entry into the profession, navigating the profession, and issues surrounding gender. I analyzed data through descriptive statistics and qualitative methods of assigning codes, combining codes into themes, and displaying the data. I addressed general discrepancies in the self-reported attitudes of respondents. Although women reported an overall attitude of satisfaction as choral conductors in their Likert-type responses, many respondents detailed several instances of gender discrimination and other challenges in their open-ended responses. Implications for the music profession, including specific strategies to help empower women in collegiate choral conducting settings, are discussed.

scholarly journals Adenovirus and RNA-based COVID-19 vaccines’ perceptions and acceptance among healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia: a national survey

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e048586
Author(s):  
Mohamad-Hani Temsah ◽  
Mazin Barry ◽  
Fadi Aljamaan ◽  
Abdullah Alhuzaimi ◽  
Ayman Al-Eyadhy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Vectored Vaccine ◽  
To Receive

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to compare the perception, confidence, hesitancy and acceptance rate of various COVID-19 vaccine types among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Saudi Arabia, a nation with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus experience.DesignNational cross-sectional, pilot-validated questionnaire.SettingOnline, self-administered questionnaire among HCWs.ParticipantsA total of 2007 HCWs working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia participated; 1512 (75.3%) participants completed the survey and were included in the analysis.InterventionData were collected through an online survey sent to HCWs during 1–15 November 2020. The main outcome measure was HCW acceptance of COVID-19 candidate vaccines. The associated factors of vaccination acceptance were identified through a logistic regression analysis and via measurement of the level of anxiety, using the Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7 scale.ResultsAmong the 1512 HCWs who were included, 62.4% were women, 70.3% were between 21 and 40 years of age, and the majority (62.2%) were from tertiary hospitals. In addition, 59.5% reported knowing about at least one vaccine; 24.4% of the participants were sure about their willingness to receive the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine, and 20.9% were willing to receive the RNA BNT162b2 vaccine. However, 18.3% reported that they would refuse to receive the Ad5-vectored vaccine, and 17.9% would refuse the Gam-COVID-Vac vaccine. Factors that influenced the differential readiness of HCWs included their perceptions of the vaccine’s efficiency in preventing the infection (33%), their personal preferences (29%) and the vaccine’s manufacturing country (28.6%).ConclusionsAwareness by HCWs of the several COVID-19 candidate vaccines could improve their perceptions and acceptance of vaccination. Reliable sources on vaccine efficiency could improve vaccine uptake, so healthcare authorities should use reliable information to decrease vaccine hesitancy among frontline healthcare providers.

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