scholarly journals An Evaluation of Information Sources Regarding Drug Use and/or Poisoning Cases of Community Pharmacists in Ankara, Turkey

Acta Medica ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Ayçe Çeliker ◽  
Emre Kara ◽  
Sevilay Karahan

Objective: Exploring and categorizing the drug and/or poisoning information resources available in community pharmacies in Ankara according to some variables, and revealing common opinions regarding the future of the profession and information resources. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted as an online questionnaire for community pharmacists in Ankara. It had four headings on the pharmacists’ demographics, their general information resources, specific resources in specific topics, and 4 suggestions regarding the future of pharmacy and drug information resources. Results: The number of participants was 134 as 17.9% of 746 e-mail addresses. Mean ages±standart deviation were 40.9±12.0 years. The top 3 information sources on poisonings were the internet, colleagues, and physicians with 74.6%, 43.3%, and 30.6%, respectively. Participants in the “colleagues” group in terms of poisoning preferences had a shorter period after graduation (p=0.001). In the drug information inquiries package inserts, internet and colleagues were preferred mostly, with 69.4%, 63.4%, and 35.8%, respectively. Age groups and graduation years were statistically different regarding the “package inserts” and “colleagues” groups (p=0.012 and p=0.001, and p=0.019 and p<0.001, respectively). The most “totally agreed” suggestion was accepting the pharmacies’ being important drug and/or poison information resources for consumers with 68.7%. Conclusion: The pharmacists have been fulfilling their duty of “being an information resource” through rather limited resources. To equip community pharmacists properly, authorities, professional institutions, and universities need to contribute to the process in different ways together with pharmacists being aware of their responsibilities.

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dessalegn Asmelashe Gelayee ◽  
Gashaw Binega Mekonnen ◽  
Mequanent Kassa Birarra

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.


2013 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel J. Carvajal ◽  
Kevin A. Clauson ◽  
Jennifer Gershman ◽  
Hyla H. Polen

2020 ◽  
Vol 108 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer E. Isenor ◽  
Melissa Helwig ◽  
Michael B. Weale ◽  
Susan K. Bowles

Objective: This article describes the evaluation of the experiences and needs of users of the Drug Information Resources (DIR) website. The DIR website attracts traffic and use from around the world with the highest users in Canada and the United States. Methods: An online questionnaire was developed through literature review and Google Analytics data. Face validity testing and test-retest reliability were completed prior to releasing the questionnaire. Results: Although the Google Analytics data showed that the site is used internationally, most respondents were Canadian students. They used the site for academic and clinical purposes and reported it was easy to use, well organized, include required resources, and would recommend it to others.  Conclusion: DIR was found to be a valuable resource for educational and clinical use. Future studies will aim to obtain input from international users.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takuya Iwamoto ◽  
Toshiki Murasaka ◽  
Hideo Kato ◽  
Hirofumi Sudo

BACKGROUND The use of drug information is increasing as the role of pharmacists expands. However, pharmacists spend a huge amount of time collecting drug information, and there has not been any drug information resource website that aims to improve the efficiency of community pharmacists with regards to drug information (DI) operations. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the drug information resources website (SAGASU-DI). METHODS SAGASU-DI articles were created based on inquiries to clinical pharmacists. The usage statistics of the SAGASU-DI were monitored using Google Analytics between May and July 2021. In addition, a pop-up questionnaire was used to evaluate the usefulness of the SAGASU-DI in answering the questions of viewers. RESULTS Statistics showed that our website had 25,447 users and 33,000 page views, with 29 seconds on average. Visitors accessed the website through desktop (51.9%) and mobile (44.3%) systems. Community pharmacists accounted for 40.2% of the visitors. The pop-up questionnaire showed that 23.2% of the viewers were satisfied with our website, and 1.5% of the viewers were not. Although 65.1% of the viewers refused to answer the questionnaire, the average percentage of viewers who were satisfied with the site was 94.1%. CONCLUSIONS The SAGASU-DI was found to be a valuable resource website for DI services, mainly for community pharmacists.


1996 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-110
Author(s):  
Wayne Myles

We live under the spectre of never quite getting beyond the last upgrade in our array of new electronic tools. We have become unwittingly tied to an ever-increasing set of demands to learn, relearn, and apply the latest addition to our technological inventory. The advent of e-mail has compressed communication patterns, committing us to “immediate” responses. World Wide Web home pages explode information sources, leaving us floundering for the best hypertext link to follow. Computer databases spin out reports on every imaginable aspect of our work.  How do we feel about our new status as “electronic advisors”? How is our interaction with students faring in all of this? Have we been able to secure more time for students to draw on our experience and knowledge through these labor-saving devices? What has happened to our priorities? Has quality of service to the students kept abreast with the demands of processing ever-increasing amounts of information? 


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
P Lindfors ◽  
L Lahti ◽  
J Kinnunen ◽  
A Rimpelä

Abstract Background Adolescents' images of the future emerge from knowledge built on experiences of the past and present and their age-related developmental tasks. Images of the future direct adolescents' decision-making, choices, and behavior. The images of the future can act as a mirror of our times, reflecting the political values and ethos of society. The aim of this study was to examine the fears for the future among Finnish adolescents in the era of climate change. Methods Data from a nationwide survey on the health and health behavior of 12-, 14-, 16-, and 18-year-olds (n = 3520, the response rate 37 %) in 2019 in Finland. An open-ended question on fears for the future was employed as a final question on the survey. The data was analyzed first by inductive content analysis and then by statistical methods. Altogether 7829 fears were reported. These were constructed into 12 main categories. Results Fears for the social relationships and loneliness were the most common (35 %). Fears related to death (33 %), physical health and wellbeing (25 %), life management and success (19 %) and working life (17 %) were next common. Only 9 % of the adolescents reported climate and the environment related fears. In age group comparisons, 12-14-year-olds reported more global and social fears, while 16-18-year-olds reported more personal fears, such as study, working life and relationships. The most common fears among boys and girls were similar in all age groups. Conclusions The most common fears among Finnish adolescents are related to personal life and less to global issues. Against our hypothesis, climate and environmental related fears were not among the top fears, even these topics are figured prominently in media and other research has also reported high proportions of climate change related fears among adolescents. The inconsistencies might be explained by the differences in the research methodologies: whether open-ended questions or structured questions are used. Key messages Most common fears for the future are related to personal issues like relationships, health and work. Fears for climate change were not among the most common ones when open-ended questions were used.


2021 ◽  
pp. 107815522098341
Author(s):  
Kofi B Mensah ◽  
Adwoa Bemah Boamah Mensah ◽  
Peter Yamoah ◽  
Joseph Attakorah ◽  
Varsha Bangalee ◽  
...  

Introduction Though there are controversies, cancer screening has been suggested to decrease mortality. Over the years, the most accessible primary healthcare provider; the community pharmacist, has developed an interest in being part of cancer screening activities and prevention of a wide range of other non-communicable diseases. To achieve this, community pharmacists need a working knowledge of the basic screening test and recommendations. Also, it’s important to acknowledge the barriers that may prevent the implementation of cancer-screening efforts at the community pharmacy. This study aims to determine the knowledge and barriers to cancer screening among Ghanaian community pharmacists. Methodology Knowledge and barriers to cancer screening was assessed using an online questionnaire in 435 community pharmacists. Descriptive statistics and Pearson's chi-squared tests were used to analyze the data. Results The reliability and validity assessment of the questionnaire after data collection revealed a Cronbach’s alpha value of 0.82 for knowledge on cancer screening. The SD and mean age of study participants were 2.48 ± 20.08. Only 25.7% of the participants had good knowledge. The most identified barrier was the lack of established guidelines (60.9%). There was no association between participants' demographics and their knowledge scores. Conclusions Community pharmacists can potentially have a large impact on early detection of cancer through screening. However, they have to improve their knowledge on general screening guidelines and be aware of available educational resources to increase their knowledge. It is also important for all stakeholders to come together to establish local screening modalities and recommendations for the country.


BDJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nashib Pandey ◽  
Buddha Bahadur Basnet ◽  
Sushmit Koju ◽  
Anju Khapung ◽  
Alka Gupta

Abstract Objective To access the awareness of dental practitioners of Nepal towards COVID-19 transmission through aerosols. Materials and methods The study involved 384 dentists from all over Nepal and was conducted for a period of 3 months. A self-reported online questionnaire was developed using Google forms and the link was shared. It emphasized the awareness related to the aerosol and ventilation system in their daily practices was prepared. The data were analyzed in Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.0 software. Results The majority of participants were female 52.9% (n = 203) and within the age groups of <30 years 57% (n = 219). Participants from Bagmati Province were 60.4% (n = 232), with least from Sudurpaschim Province 0.5% (n = 2). 60% of participants provided only emergency services during the COVID-19 pandemic and few (7%) provided consultations via telephone. The current ventilation system used was a well-ventilated room with open windows 65.4% (n = 251). However, 52.8% (n = 203) preferred specialized operatory incorporating high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters and ultraviolet (UV) light. More than 60% of respondents were unaware of the particle size of the aerosol. Conclusions The obtained results signify the need for the proper ventilation system with appropriate air filtration systems in dental clinical setups.


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