scholarly journals Contextualising the Perceptions of Pharmacists Practicing Clinical Pharmacy in South Africa—Do We Practice what We Preach?

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elmien Bronkhorst ◽  
Natalie Schellack ◽  
Andries G. S. Gous
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Clinical Pharmacy ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Pharmacy Practice ◽  
Prescribing Patterns ◽  
Current Profile ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Department Of Health ◽  
Private And Public

The National Department of Health published their Quality Standards for Healthcare Establishments in South Africa and introduced the National Health Insurance, with the pilot phase that commenced in 2012. The system requires an adequate supply of pharmaceutical personnel and the direct involvement of clinical pharmacists throughout the medication-use process to ensure continuity of care, minimised risk with increasing improvement of patient outcomes. The study aimed to provide insight into the pressing issues of clinical pharmacy practice in South Africa, and sets out to contextualise the current profile of the pharmacist performing clinical functions. The study used a quantitative, explorative, cross-sectional design. The population included pharmacists from private and public tertiary hospitals. A questionnaire was administered, using Typeform™. Ethics approval was obtained from Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, National Department of Health and Private Healthcare groups. Categorical data were summarised using frequency counts and percentages; continuous data were summarised by mean values and standard deviations. The sample size included 70 pharmacists practicing clinical pharmacy (private sector n = 59; public sector n = 11). Most participants hold a BPharm degree (busy with MPharm qualification) (64%; n = 70). No statistical significance was found between participants in private and public practice. Most pharmacist agreed (32% (private); n = 59) and strongly agreed (45% (public); n = 11) to have sufficient training to perform pharmaceutical care. The majority respondents felt that interventions made by the pharmacist improved the rational use of medicine (47% (private); 55% (public). Pharmacist interventions influence prescribing patterns (42% (private); 64% (public); and reduce polypharmacy (41% (private); 55% (public). The clinical functions mostly performed were evaluation of prescriptions (private 90%; public 82%), while the top logistical function is daily ordering of medication (40.7%; private), and checking of ward stock (36%; public). Although not all pharmacists appointed in South Africa has completed the MPharm degree in clinical pharmacy, the pharmacists at ward level perform numerous clinical functions, even if only for a small part of their workday. This paper sets the way to standardise practices of clinical pharmacy in South Africa, with a reflection on the differences in practice in different institutions.

Contextualising the Pharmacist Practicing Clinical Pharmacy in South Africa – Do we Practice What we Preach?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elmien Bronkhorst ◽  
Natalie Schellack ◽  
Andries GS Gous
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Clinical Pharmacy ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Pharmacy Practice ◽  
Prescribing Patterns ◽  
Current Profile ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Private And Public ◽  
Logistical Function

Abstract Background: The National Department of Health published their Quality Standards for Healthcare Establishments in South Africa and introduced the National Health Insurance (NHI), with the pilot phase that commenced in 2012. The system requires an adequate supply of pharmaceutical personnel and the direct involvement of clinical pharmacists throughout the medication-use process to ensure continuity of care, minimised risk with increasing improvement of patient outcomes. The study aimed to provide insight into the pressing issues of clinical pharmacy practice in South Africa, and sets out to contextualise the current profile of the pharmacist performing clinical functions.Methods: The study used a quantitative, explorative, cross-sectional design. The population included pharmacists from private and public tertiary hospitals. A questionnaire was administered, using Typeform™. Ethics approval was obtained from relevant role-players. Categorical data were summarised using frequency counts and percentages; continuous data were summarised by mean values and standard deviations.Results: The sample size included 70 pharmacists (private sector n=59; public sector n=11). Most participants hold a BPharm degree (64%; n=70). No statistical significance was found between participants in private and public practice. Most pharmacist agreed (32% (private); n=59) and strongly agreed (45% (public); n=11) to have sufficient training to perform pharmaceutical care. The majority respondents felt that interventions made by the pharmacist improved the rational use of medicine (47% (private); n=59; 55% (public); n=11), that pharmacist interventions influence prescribing patterns (42% (private); n=59; 64% (public); n=11) and reduce polypharmacy (41% (private); n=59; 55% (public); n=11). Clinical functions performed most are evaluation of prescriptions (private 90%; public 82%) while the top logistical function for private is daily ordering of medication (40.7%), and public checking of ward stock (36%).Conclusion: Although not all pharmacists appointed in South Africa has completed the MPharm degree in clinical pharmacy, the pharmacists at ward level perform numerous clinical functions, even if only for a small part of their workday. This paper sets the way to standardise practices of clinical pharmacy in South Africa, with a reflection on the differences in practice in different institutions.

scholarly journals Perceived Knowledge of Scheme Members and Their Satisfaction with Their Medical Schemes: A Cross-Sectional Study in South Africa.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis M’bouaffou ◽  
Eric Buch ◽  
Evelyn Thsehla ◽  
Steve Olorunju
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Perceived Knowledge ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Perceived Satisfaction ◽  
Private And Public ◽  
The Cost

Abstract Background: South Africa has a dual healthcare system comprised of private and public sectors covering 16% and 84% of the population, respectively. Medical schemes are the primary source of health insurance in the private sector. The aim of this study was to assess the perceived knowledge and satisfaction of open medical schemes members. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a stratified systematic sample of members from 22 open medical schemes. Nine hundred and sixty members were requested to complete an online semi-structured questionnaire to determine their perceived knowledge and satisfaction with their schemes. We tested to see if variables such as age, gender, years of membership, education, income or having a chronic disease were associated with better-perceived knowledge or satisfaction. We calculated a composite perceived knowledge and satisfaction score, for which a score above 60th percentile for perceived knowledge and 60th for perceived satisfaction were considered good perceived knowledge and good perceived satisfaction with their schemes.Results: Respondents, generally perceived themselves to have good knowledge and were satisfied with their schemes except for accessibility to doctors under the designated service providers arrangement. Overall, members were satisfied, especially with the quality of service from their designated service providers (DSPs) and their schemes. However, only 9% were satisfied with accessibility to doctors under their DSP arrangement, 25% were satisfied with the cost of scheme membership and only 46% were satisfied with the prescribed minimum benefit package. The test for association showed that years of medical schemes membership, perceived knowledge of the prescribed minimum benefits, better income and laying a complaint were associated with better-perceived knowledge. Conclusion: Medical schemes remain a key element of private healthcare in South Africa. The analysis shows that medical schemes, should put more effort into the accessibility of general practitioner under their designated service providers. Furthermore, the PMBS should be reviewed to provide a comprehensive benefits basket without co-payment for members as recommended by the Medical Schemes Act Amendment Bill of 2018.

scholarly journals Frequency of number of roots and root canals of maxillary first premolar teeth.

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (10) ◽  
pp. 1513-1518
Author(s):  
Munawar Aziz Khattak ◽  
Sana Arbab ◽  
Syed Amjad Shah
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Maxillofacial Surgery ◽  
P Value ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ◽  
Root Canals ◽  
India Ink ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
Chamber Floor

Objective: To determine the frequency of the number of roots and root canals in a sample of 250 extracted maxillary first premolar teeth of patients visiting Peshawar Dental College and Hospital Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Study Design: Cross Sectional. Setting: Department of Oral Biology, Peshawar Dental College and Hospital Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Period: April 2016 to December 2016. Material & Methods: A total of 250 extracted human maxillary first premolars were collected from the Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Peshawar Dental College, and Hospital Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. All teeth were visually inspected to count the number of roots. Subsequently, the access cavity was prepared, and pulp extirpated from each tooth. Endodontic explorer was used to locating the canal orifice(s) at the pulp chamber floor. Later the root canal orifices were injected with India ink to stain the canals. After that roots of teeth were sectioned at different levels to note down the number of canals. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 19. The statistical significance of the variations from mean values was considered significant if the p-value was less than 0.05. Results: Out of 250 maxillary first premolar teeth, 44.8% had one root, 40.4% had two separate and 12.8% had two fused roots. Three roots were seen in 2.0% teeth. Two root canals were present in the vast majority (70.4%), whereas one and three root canals were seen in 27.6% and 2.0% teeth, respectively. The correlation between the number of roots and root canals of maxillary first premolar teeth was highly significant. Conclusions: There was a high frequency of maxillary first premolars with two roots and two root canals.

scholarly journals Mapping clinical pharmacy practice in Swiss hospitals: a cross-sectional study

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 314-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus Messerli ◽  
Karen A Maes ◽  
Kurt E Hersberger ◽  
Markus L Lampert
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Pharmacy ◽  
Pharmacy Practice ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional

scholarly journals Dietary Intake of Amateur Bodybuilding Athletes Around Polokwane Municipality in Limpopo Province, South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 134
Author(s):  
Sylven Masoga ◽  
Sefora H. M. Makuse ◽  
Makoma M. Bopape
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Macronutrient Intake ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Competitive Activity ◽  
Part Time ◽  
24 Hour Recall

OBJECTIVE: To determine the dietary intake of amateur bodybuilding athletes around Polokwane municipality in Limpopo Province, South Africa. DESIGN: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study in which purposive sampling was used to recruit 51 participants out of 65 registered part-time competitive bodybuilders at three training gyms around Polokwane. Dietary information was collected using a modified 24-hour-recall questionnaire on three different days, which was validated by the modified Food Frequency Questionnaire. SETTINGS: The study took place at three gyms that enrolled these part-time athletes, all of whom were registered with the International Federation of Bodybuilding in South Africa (IFBBSA). Data were collected during the off-season period. RESULTS: Macronutrients: All the athletes consumed energy and carbohydrates below the daily recommendations of the International Society for Sports Nutrition (ISSN) with mean values of 129 ± 36.7 KJ/kg and 3.9 ± 0.9 g/kg respectively. Furthermore, 78% and 94% of the athletes consumed protein (1.3 ± 0.5 g/kg) and fat (0.8 ± 0.4 g/kg) below the daily recommendations, respectively. Vitamins: Most of the athletes took vitamins C (53%); B1 (82%) and B6 (82%) within the Estimated Average Requirements (EAR) while the intake of vitamins A (69%) and E (72%) were below the recommendations. While 88% of the athletes consumed above the EAR for vitamin B12, only 41% and 17% took vitamins B2 and B6 above the Upper Tolerable Limit (UL). Minerals: Most of the athletes consumed phosphorus (94%), iron (88%), zinc (78%), magnesium (71%) and selenium (61%) within the EAR. The proportions of bodybuilders who consumed minerals below the EAR were 86% for calcium, 4% for phosphorus, 10% for iron, 19% for zinc, 23% for magnesium and 37% for selenium. CONCLUSION: The macronutrient intake of bodybuilders around Polokwane is mostly below recommendations, but consumption of micronutrients is mostly within the recommendations. Therefore, the dietary intake of these bodybuilders especially for macronutrient intake is sub-optimal to support their competitive activity.

scholarly journals Pharmacy students' perceived professionalism and application of bioethical principles: Implications for teaching pharmacy ethics for patient-centred pharmacy practice

2020 ◽  
pp. 158-167
Author(s):  
Roland Okoro ◽  
Aminu Biamb
Keyword(s):  
Ethical Dilemmas ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Pharmacy Practice ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Moral Problems

Context: Pharmacists providing pharmaceutical care are often confronted with a variety of professional issues, ethical dilemmas and moral problems that require professionalism to appropriately address. Aims: To investigate undergraduate fifth- year (final-year) Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm.) students’ views on professionalism, ethical dilemmas, and their application of bioethical principles, and to compare responses of various groups (pharmacy schools, age, gender, and religion). Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of the final-year B.Pharm. students in two pharmacy schools in northern Nigeria. The descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests and Independent-sample t-test) were utilised to analyse the study data. Statistical significance was considered at p<0.05. Results: Ninety-five students, corresponding to 49.5% response rate, participated in the study. More than 79% of the students strongly agreed that their actions as future pharmacists could affect how the profession is viewed by patients and other healthcare providers. Patients’ right to autonomy and non-maleficence were the most utilised bioethical principles by the participants. Conclusions: The study shows that the participants had good overall perceived professionalism and fair bioethical reasoning. Different bioethical principles were used by various groups considered to support how they would deal with each ethical dilemma. New strategies in teaching pharmacy practice courses by pharmacy educators in these schools are necessary to improve students’ bioethical reasoning which will maximise the quality of their future practice.

scholarly journals ‘We are in this together’ voices of speech-language pathologists working in South African healthcare contexts during level 4 and level 5 lockdown of COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Skye N. Adams ◽  
Jaishika Seedat ◽  
Kim Coutts ◽  
Kelly-Ann Kater
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
South African ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Private And Public ◽  
The Impact

Background: SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) has had a significant impact on every South African but more specifically healthcare professionals, including speech-language pathologists (SLPs). In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, South Africa implemented a nationwide lockdown as confirmed cases continued to rise. Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on SLPs has a three-fold purpose: to re-evaluate service provision, service delivery platforms and to identify the need for support to SLPs during a time of crisis. It is also crucial in guiding how policies and interventions need to be modified.Objectives: The study aimed to better understand how the workspace of SLPs in hospitals was impacted by COVID-19, how they experienced this process and the implications for them as healthcare professionals in both the private and public sector throughout South Africa.Methodology: An exploratory cross-sectional study design was used to meet the aims of the study. Thirty-nine SLPs from different provinces in South Africa, working in government and private hospitals during COVID-19, responded to the online survey. Results were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic content analysis.Results: SLPs’ roles, responsibilities and service delivery were impacted by COVID-19. It was necessary for typical outpatient therapy services to be modified; there were changes to the role of the SLP in the hospital and inpatient services were curtailed.Conclusion: This study provides insightful information to SLPs employed in hospitals to know that they are experiencing similar challenges. It also confirms the resilience of healthcare professionals, including SLPs, when faced with novel and unprecedented situations.

scholarly journals Knowledge of diabetes mellitus and its ocular complications amongst diabetic patients attending private and public hospitals in eThekwini Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Diane Van Staden ◽  
Luke P. Deutshmann ◽  
Sameer Ganas ◽  
Maxine Manickam ◽  
Amishka Manillal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Ocular Complications ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Private And Public

Background: The prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is increasing in South Africa as a result of changes in lifestyles and rising levels of obesity. Knowledge of management protocols for DM may empower patients to better control the disease and prevent secondary complications.Aim: The aim of this study was to determine if there was a difference in the level of knowledge of DM and its ocular complications amongst public and private hospital diabetic patients.Setting: The study was conducted in four private and four public hospitals in the eThekwini Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal Province.Methods: A cross-sectional survey method was used to collect data from diabetic patients attending selected hospitals. Convenience sampling was used and analysis of descriptive and correlation statistics was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.Results: Participants (N = 370) consisted of 44% males and 56% females with 41.6% being from private and 58.4% from public hospitals. The ages of participants ranged from 20 to 79 years. Although most of the participants (74.8%) were knowledgeable about DM and its management, private sector patients were more knowledgeable about DM management than were public sector patients (p = 0.000). Furthermore, private patients had better knowledge of ocular complications related to DM (p = 0.000). Those (74%) who had previously attended a diabetic seminar had significantly better knowledge than those who had not (p = 0.000).Conclusion: Patients with DM attending public hospitals will benefit from targeted education campaigns or seminars related to diabetes and its complications.

The Practice of Pharmacy in England

1986 ◽  
Vol 20 (10) ◽  
pp. 808-811
Author(s):  
Simon Cronin
Keyword(s):  
Health Service ◽  
Clinical Pharmacy ◽  
Hospital Pharmacy ◽  
Pharmacy Practice ◽  
Master Of Science ◽  
Staffing Levels ◽  
Department Of Health ◽  
Hospital Pharmacies ◽  
Unit Dose ◽  
Unit Dose Dispensing

The practice of pharmacy in England is described. Community pharmacies have a contract with the Department of Health and Social Security to fill National Health Service prescriptions. A large proportion of the general public obtain their prescriptions free. Funding for the health service comes from taxes and automatic contributions from employers and employees. Aspects of hospital pharmacy practice and salaries are discussed, e.g., a junior pharmacist may expect to earn between $9000 and $12 000. There is very little unit-dose dispensing, and many hospitals are unable to provide 24-hour services. Hospital pharmacies function with fewer pharmacists than their U.S. counterparts, utilizing larger numbers of technicians. Clinical pharmacy practice centers around drug monitoring (ward pharmacy). Pharmocokinetic services are provided in a few places. Master of science degrees in clinical pharmacy are available. However, the future of clinical pharmacy practice in England depends on staffing levels and competition between and acceptance from other health disciplines.

scholarly journals Prevalence and associated risk factors of hypertension amongst adults in a rural community of Limpopo Province, South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel T. Ntuli ◽  
Eric Maimela ◽  
Mariannes Alberts ◽  
Solly Choma ◽  
Sekgothe Dikotope
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Rural Community ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
World Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Organization

Background: Hypertension is problem already faced by urban populations of South Africa, but little is known about its prevalence and risk factors in rural areas.Aim: To assess the prevalence of and risk factors associated with hypertension amongst adults in a rural community in South Africa.Setting: Dikgale Health and Demographic Surveillance Site, Limpopo Province, South Africa.Methods: A community-based cross-sectional survey was carried out at this site where individuals aged 15 years and older were screened using a locally adapted version of the World Health Organization STEPwise questionnaire. Demographics, anthropometry and three independent blood pressure (BP) readings were taken. The average of the three BP measurements was used in analysis, and hypertension taken as systolic and diastolic BP of ≥ 140 or ≥ 90 mmHg respectively, or at least a two-week history of antihypertensive treatment. Analysis included the Chi-square test and statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05.Results: A total of 1407 individuals were interviewed, of whom 1281 had complete BP, weight and height measurements taken. The mean age of participants was 44.2 ± 2 0.9 years (range 15–98 years), 63% were female, 55% were single and 90% were unemployed, whilst 13% were tobacco smokers and 20% reported drinking alcohol. Overall prevalence of hypertension was 41% and this was significantly associated with age and marital status.Conclusion: The prevalence of hypertension was found to be high. Prevention strategies are urgently needed to address this life-threatening and important risk factor for cardiovascular disease in rural Limpopo Province.

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