Perceptions of Pharmacy Involvement in Social Prescribing Pathways in England, Scotland and Wales

Social prescribing is increasingly viewed as a non-pharmacological option to address psychosocial consequences of social isolation, loneliness and bereavement; key contributors to poor mental health and wellbeing. Our study explored experiences and attitudes of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to social prescribing in England, Scotland, and Wales, using an on-line survey. (Ethical approval, University of Bath, November 2017). The electronic survey was distributed to pharmacists registered with Royal Pharmaceutical Society local practice forum network groups in England, Scotland, and Wales, and pharmacy technicians via social media platforms. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and free text by thematic analysis. One hundred and twenty respondents took part in the survey; (94.6% pharmacists and 5.4% pharmacy technicians). Responses indicated a lack of knowledge and experience with social prescribing; however, there was enthusiasm for pharmacists and the wider pharmacy team to be involved in local social prescribing pathways. Respondents believed they were well positioned within the community and consequently able to be involved in identifying individuals that may benefit. Barriers to involvement, included time, funding and training while enablers were pharmacist skills and the need within the community for social prescribing. There is a willingness in pharmacy, to be involved in social prescribing, however further research is required to enable pharmacy to be full participants in social prescribing pathways.

Download Full-text

Perceptions of Pharmacy Involvement in Social Prescribing Pathways in England, Scotland and Wales

10.26686/wgtn.12408989 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Denise Taylor ◽

Gina M Nicholls ◽

Andrea DJ Taylor

Keyword(s):

Poor Mental Health ◽

Free Text ◽

Electronic Survey ◽

Health And Wellbeing ◽

Social Prescribing ◽

Ethical Approval ◽

Pharmaceutical Society ◽

Social Media Platforms ◽

On Line ◽

Pharmacy Technicians

Social prescribing is increasingly viewed as a non-pharmacological option to address psychosocial consequences of social isolation, loneliness and bereavement; key contributors to poor mental health and wellbeing. Our study explored experiences and attitudes of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to social prescribing in England, Scotland, and Wales, using an on-line survey. (Ethical approval, University of Bath, November 2017). The electronic survey was distributed to pharmacists registered with Royal Pharmaceutical Society local practice forum network groups in England, Scotland, and Wales, and pharmacy technicians via social media platforms. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and free text by thematic analysis. One hundred and twenty respondents took part in the survey; (94.6% pharmacists and 5.4% pharmacy technicians). Responses indicated a lack of knowledge and experience with social prescribing; however, there was enthusiasm for pharmacists and the wider pharmacy team to be involved in local social prescribing pathways. Respondents believed they were well positioned within the community and consequently able to be involved in identifying individuals that may benefit. Barriers to involvement, included time, funding and training while enablers were pharmacist skills and the need within the community for social prescribing. There is a willingness in pharmacy, to be involved in social prescribing, however further research is required to enable pharmacy to be full participants in social prescribing pathways.

Download Full-text

New horizons in supporting older people's health and wellbeing: is social prescribing a way forward?

Age and Ageing ◽

10.1093/ageing/afaa016 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 49 (3) ◽

pp. 319-326 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kate Hamilton-West ◽

Alisoun Milne ◽

Sarah Hotham

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Local Community ◽

Local Level ◽

National Policy ◽

Evidence Base ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Care Needs ◽

Health And Wellbeing ◽

Social Prescribing ◽

Age Related

Abstract Older people’s health and care needs are changing. Increasing numbers live with the combined effects of age-related chronic illness or disability, social isolation and/or poor mental health. Social prescribing has potential to benefit older people by helping those with social, emotional or practical needs to access relevant services and resources within the local community. However, researchers have highlighted limitations with the existing evidence-base, while clinicians express concerns about the quality of onward referral services, liability and upfront investment required. The current article provides a critical review of evidence on social prescribing, drawing on the RE-AIM Framework (Glasgow et al., 1999) to identify questions that will need to be addressed in order to inform both the design and delivery of services and the evolving research agenda around social prescribing. We emphasise the need for researchers and planners to work together to develop a more robust evidence-base, advancing understanding of the impacts of social prescribing (on individuals, services and communities), factors associated with variation in outcomes and strategies needed to implement effective and sustainable programmes. We also call on policymakers to recognise the need for investment in allied initiatives to address barriers to engagement in social prescribing programmes, provide targeted support for carers and improve access to older adult mental health services. We conclude that social prescribing has potential to support older people’s health and wellbeing, but this potential will only be realised through strategic alignment of research, local level implementation and national policy and investment.

Download Full-text

A Retrieval System for a Library of Pathology Reports, Slides and Kodachromes

Methods of Information in Medicine ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1636075 ◽

1972 ◽

Vol 11 (03) ◽

pp. 152-162 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

P. GAYNON ◽

R. L. WONG

Keyword(s):

Medical Records ◽

Operative Procedure ◽

Clinical Findings ◽

Free Text ◽

X Ray ◽

Inverted File ◽

Natural Language Parsing ◽

On Line ◽

Pathology Reports ◽

Frequency Counts

With the objective of providing easier access to pathology specimens, slides and kodachromes with linkage to x-ray and the remainder of the patient’s medical records, an automated natural language parsing routine, based on dictionary look-up, was written for Surgical Pathology document-pairs, each consisting of a Request for Examination (authored by clinicians) and its corresponding report (authored by pathologists). These documents were input to the system in free-text English without manual editing or coding.Two types of indices were prepared. The first was an »inverted« file, available for on-line retrieval, for display of the content of the document-pairs, frequency counts of cases or listing of cases in table format. Retrievable items are patient’s and specimen’s identification data, date of operation, name of clinician and pathologist, etc. The English content of the operative procedure, clinical findings and pathologic diagnoses can be retrieved through logical combination of key words. The second type of index was a catalog. Three catalog files — »operation«, »clinical«, and »pathology« — were prepared by alphabetization of lines formed by the rotation of phrases, headed by keywords. These keywords were automatically selected and standardized by the parsing routine and the phrases were extracted from each sentence of each input document. Over 2,500 document-pairs have been entered and are currently being utilized for purpose of medical education.

Download Full-text

Comparison of the validity, perceived usefulness and usability of I-MeDeSA and TEMAS, two tools to evaluate alert system usability: a study protocol

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050448 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. e050448

Author(s):

Romaric Marcilly ◽

Wu Yi Zheng ◽

Regis Beuscart ◽

Melissa T Baysari

Keyword(s):

Human Factors ◽

Convergent Validity ◽

Perceived Usefulness ◽

Decision Makers ◽

Free Text ◽

Alert System ◽

System Usability Scale ◽

System Usability ◽

Ethical Approval ◽

Alerting Systems

IntroductionResearch has shown that improvements to the usability of medication alert systems are needed. For designers and decisions-makers to assess usability of their alert systems, two paper-based tools are currently available: the instrument for evaluating human-factors principles in medication-related decision support alerts (I-MeDeSA) and the tool for evaluating medication alerting systems (TEMAS). This study aims to compare the validity, usability and usefulness of both tools to identify their strengths and limitations and assist designers and decision-makers in making an informed decision about which tool is most suitable for assessing their current or prospective system.Methods and analysisFirst, TEMAS and I-MeDeSA will be translated into French. This translation will be validated by three experts in human factors. Then, in 12 French hospitals with a medication alert system in place, staff with expertise in the system will evaluate their alert system using the two tools successively. After the use of each tool, participants will be asked to fill in the System Usability Scale (SUS) and complete a survey on the understandability and perceived usefulness of each tool. Following the completion of both assessments, participants will be asked to nominate their preferred tool and relay their opinions on the tools. The design philosophy of TEMAS and I-MeDeSA differs on the calculation of a score, impacting the way the comparison between the tools can be performed. Convergent validity will be evaluated by matching the items of the two tools with respect to the usability dimensions they assess. SUS scores and answers to the survey will be statistically compared for I-MeDeSA and TEMAS to identify differences. Free-text responses in surveys will be analysed using an inductive approach.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval is not required in France for a study of this nature. The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Download Full-text

Current understanding and implementation of ‘care navigation’ across England: a cross-sectional study of NHS clinical commissioning groups

British Journal of General Practice ◽

10.3399/bjgp19x705569 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 69 (687) ◽

pp. e675-e681 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Stephanie Tierney ◽

Geoff Wong ◽

Kamal R Mahtani

Keyword(s):

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Descriptive Statistics ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Long Term Conditions ◽

Health And Wellbeing ◽

Medical Needs ◽

Social Prescribing ◽

Evaluation Of Care

BackgroundCare navigation is an avenue to link patients to activities or organisations that can help address non-medical needs affecting health and wellbeing. An understanding of how care navigation is being implemented across primary care is lacking.AimTo determine how ‘care navigation’ is interpreted and currently implemented by clinical commissioning groups (CCGs).Design and settingA cross-sectional study involving CCGs in England.MethodA questionnaire was sent to all CCGs inviting them to comment on who provided care navigation, the type of patients for whom care navigation was provided, how individuals were referred, and whether services were being evaluated. Responses were summarised using descriptive statistics.ResultsThe authors received usable responses from 83% of CCGs (n = 162), and of these >90% (n = 147) had some form of care navigation running in their area. A total of 75 different titles were used to describe the role. Most services were open to all adult patients, though particular groups may have been targeted; for example, people who are older and those with long-term conditions. Referrals tended to be made by a professional, or people were identified by a receptionist when they presented to a surgery. Evaluation of care navigation services was limited.ConclusionThere is a policy steer to engaging patients in social prescribing, using some form of care navigator to help with this. Results from this study highlight that, although this type of role is being provided, its implementation is heterogeneous. This could make comparison and the pooling of data on care navigation difficult. It may also leave patients unsure about what care navigation is about and how it could help them.

Download Full-text

Positive Organisational Arts-Based Youth Scholarship: Redressing Discourse on Danger, Disquiet, and Distress during COVID-19

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18115655 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (11) ◽

pp. 5655

Author(s):

Ann Dadich ◽

Katherine M. Boydell ◽

Stephanie Habak ◽

Chloe Watfern

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Social Change ◽

Young People ◽

Health And Wellbeing ◽

Social Media Platforms ◽

Positive Experiences ◽

Difficult Times

This methodological article argues for the potential of positive organisational arts-based youth scholarship as a methodology to understand and promote positive experiences among young people. With reference to COVID-19, exemplars sourced from social media platforms and relevant organisations demonstrate the remarkable creative brilliance of young people. During these difficult times, young people used song, dance, storytelling, and art to express themselves, (re)connect with others, champion social change, and promote health and wellbeing. This article demonstrates the power of positive organisational arts-based youth scholarship to understand how young people use art to redress negativity via a positive lens of agency, peace, collectedness, and calm.

Download Full-text

How do future publication plans affect theses availability in UiT’s open access research archive?

Septentrio Conference Series ◽

10.7557/5.3948 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Tanja Larssen

Keyword(s):

Open Access ◽

Health Science ◽

Document Management ◽

Electronic Survey ◽

Master Thesis ◽

On Line ◽

Future Publication ◽

Phd Theses ◽

Students Attitudes ◽

The University

Watch the VIDEO of the presentation.Open access to research results is a stated aim for the University of Tromsø – The artic university of Norway. The university’s research archive, Munin, has a well-developed system to make available the university’s own research, as well as master theses written by its students. Both master and PhD theses from UiT are delivered directly through Munin and can be made openly available on-line. Despite of this, many candidates choose not to have their theses made openly available through Munin. In my master thesis in document management, I examined why some candidates opt against, or postpone, making their theses openly available through Munin. What factors influence this decision, and are the given reasons based on actual issues or on misconceptions?From Munin I was given access to metadata from previously delivered, and passed, master and PhD theses where the candidate wanted to withhold their theses from being made openly available in Munin. The metadata contained the reasons provided by the candidates for their decision. I also conducted an electronic survey among, then, current master students where the goal was to examine current students’ attitudes towards making their thesis openly available in Munin, and compare the results from this survey with reasons stated by former master and PhD candidates.The main reason provided for postponing or refusing open access to their theses, given by both former master and PhD candidates, and current master students, where the fear that it would impair their chances for future publication. My study also showed that both master and PhD candidates from the faculty of health science are less likely to make their theses openly available in Munin, than candidates from other faculties. This faculty also had more candidates than other expressing concern over the possibilities for future publication.Why do candidates from different faculties within the same university show different attitudes towards having their work openly available? Are candidates right in their concerns regarding open availability and future publication, or are these concerns based on unfounded fears? Does it matter if master and PhD candidates choses not to make their work openly available, and can candidates be encouraged to make their work available?

Download Full-text

Perceived mental health, wellbeing and associated factors among Nepali migrant and non-migrant workers: A qualitative study

10.1101/2020.11.23.20236794 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Hridaya Raj Devkota ◽

Bishnu Bhandari ◽

Pratik Adhikary

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Physical Health ◽

Working Conditions ◽

Migrant Workers ◽

Health Condition ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Physical Work ◽

Health And Wellbeing ◽

Mental And Physical Health

AbstractBackgroundPoor mental health and illness among the working population have serious socio-economic and public health consequences for both the individual and society/country. With a dramatic increase in work migration over the past decades, there is recent concern about the health and wellbeing of migrant workers and their accessibility to healthcare services in destination countries. This study aimed to explore the mental health and wellbeing experiences of Nepali returnee-migrants and non-migrant workers, and identify their perception on the risk factors for poor health and health service accessibility for them.MethodsThis qualitative study was conducted among Nepali migrant and non-migrant workers in February 2020. Four focus group discussions (n=25) and 15 in-depth interviews were conducted with male non-migrant and returnee migrant workers from Gulf countries and Malaysia. The discussions and interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, translated into English and analysed thematically.ResultMigrant workers reported a higher risk of developing adverse mental health conditions than non-migrant workers. In addition, fever, upper respiratory infection, abdominal pain, ulcer, and occupational injuries were common health problems among both migrant and non-migrant workers. Other major illnesses reported by the migrant workers were heat burns and rashes, snake-bites, dengue, malaria, gallstone, kidney failure, and sexually transmitted diseases, while non-migrants reported hypertension, diabetes, and heart diseases. Adverse living and working conditions including exploitation and abuse by employers, lack of privacy and congested accommodation, language barriers, long hours’ hard physical work without breaks, and unhealthy lifestyles were the contributing factors to migrant workers’ poor mental and physical health. Both migrant and non-migrants reported poor compliance of job conditions and labor protection by their employers such as application of safety measures at work, provision of insurance and healthcare facilities that affected for their wellbeing negatively. Family problems compounded by constant financial burdens and unmet expectations were the most important factors linked with migrant workers’ poor mental health condition.ConclusionBoth migrant and non-migrant workers experienced poor mental and physical health condition largely affected by their adverse living and working conditions, unmet familial and financial needs and adherence to unhealthy life styles. It is needed to ensure the compliance of work agreement by employers and promotion of labor rights in relation to worker’s health and safety. In addition, policy interventions on raising awareness on occupational health risk and effective safety training to all migrant and non-migrant workers are recommended.

Download Full-text

Characterizing psychiatric hypersomnia on campus: contributions of chronotype, insomnia, and tiredness

10.31234/osf.io/64etq ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Louise Beattie ◽

Georgios Rigas ◽

Stephany Biello

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Young Adults ◽

Sleep Duration ◽

Preliminary Report ◽

Severity Index ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Sleep Health ◽

Future Studies ◽

Health And Wellbeing ◽

Sleep Propensity

Study Objectives: The sleep of students contains several features rendering it worthy of independent investigation. Sleep duration is an important aspect of sleep health and wellbeing, however the assessment of psychiatric hypersomnia has been hampered by the absence of a single unitary scale of this construct. With the recent publication of the Hypersomnia Severity Index, research can now examine this condition in greater detail.Methods: Here we consider how the candidate variables of sleep propensity, fatigue, chronotype and insomnia may be associated with hypersomnia scores in a sample of 140 students. Results suggest that hypersomnia was significantly predicted by these measures, but not age or gender. We then model a pathway from chronotype to hypersomnia, including these factors as potential mediators.Results: Results suggest that hypersomnia was significantly predicted by these measures, but not age or gender. The proposed pathway from chronotype to hypersomnia warrants further study.Conclusions: Future studies should expand upon this preliminary report and consider longitudinally and prospectively how hypersomnia is linked to poor mental health in well-characterized samples of students and other young adults.

Download Full-text