scholarly journals Health-Care Students' Perception on the Role and Contribution of Pharmacists: A Case Study in Ghana

Author(s):  
Adelaide Ampofo-Asiama ◽  
Mercy Opare-Addo ◽  
Afia Frimpomaa Asare-Marfo

Objective: The objective of this study was to access the perception of non-pharmacy health-care students on the role and contribution of pharmacists in to health-care delivery in Ghana. Furthermore, the influence of factors such as sex, program of study and frequency of interaction with pharmacists on this perception was determined. Methods: A structured questionnaire was designed and administered to 670 medical, optometry and nursing students of the University of Cape Coast, Ghana after a pilot study was conducted. Results: The students strongly agreed that the role of the pharmacist is dispensing drugs, collaborating with physicians to prescribe medications. The students also appreciated the contribution of pharmacists in helping to reduce adverse reactions to medications. The students, however, showed little appreciation of pharmacists carrying out research or physical examinations and helping to reduce cost to patients. There was no effect of sex on the perception of students, although the frequency of interaction with pharmacists influenced their perceptions Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that non-pharmacy health students appreciate certain roles and contributions of pharmacists to health-care.

Author(s):  
Maher Safien ◽  
Deena C Thomas ◽  
Richard Avoi ◽  
Mohamed Firdaus ◽  
Fairrul Bin Masnah Kadir ◽  
...  

Introduction: Creating an educational climate that engages the students in the digital era is crucial as it prepares them for the future.Objectives: The aim of this multiple case study is to highlight the impact of creative educational environment on the students’ awareness of digital era tools.Methods: In this study three activities were organized. Firstly, a brain storming seminar titled “Medical Practice in Artificial Intelligence Era” was held. The second event was E-poster competitions which challenged the students’ curiosity to address the health problems and to introduce innovative solutions to solve it. Medical and nursing students presented 32 posters. Third activity was MeDuino, a hands-on workshop to familiarize the students with arduino technology in medical practice.Results: Around 260 participants attended the seminar. In their feedback, 72% of students found the topics attractive and more than 60% found its theme relevant and beneficial. E-poster competition was evaluated using a modified rubric scale. The data was analysed by SPSS showed that only “creativity” and “practicality” merits scored little above the mean range. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean score of ‘creativity’ and ‘practicality’ between medical students and nursing students. However, in general medical students’ scores were higher compared to nursing students. 90% of students said that they improved cognitively and 85% found it fascinating. In Meduino workshop (Robotics), The 30 participants practiced mini projects. 86 % found it attractive, 81% expressed that it improve d their cognitive about technology as noted in comparing the pre and post- event questionnaires. The students’ concerns included the time constraints short time and lack of lecturers’ guidance during posters’ preparation.Conclusion(s): Transforming educational environment physically, emotionally and socially managed to address few aspects digital era. Allocating more time, facilities and training in the informal curriculum could enhance health-care students mastering of future tools.International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Supplementary Issue: 2019 Page: 31


Author(s):  
Vhumani Magezi

The role of churches in primary health care delivery in Africa’s poor contexts is widely acknowledged. Discussion of churches’ work in health largely focuses on the spiritual side and tends to downplay (or overlook) the practical side. A clear challenge and gap in the role of churches in primary health delivery is the lack of clear models and approaches to determine the efficacy of the interventions. Hence, the role of churches as a player in the delivery of primary health care needs examination. This paper examines the role of church-driven primary health care, using a practical case study of the health work of the Salvation Army in East Africa. It outlines the primary health services rendered by the Salvation Army and deduces five models that emerged from the work of the various implementing churches in delivering primary health care. The article proceeds from an analysis of the meaning of primary health care and how churches are historically and currently positioned to contribute to primary health care. The article demonstrates that, viewed from a primary health care delivery perspective, churches in Africa play a critical practical contribution further to a spiritual role. From a practical theology perspective, the paper provides insight into how churches could operate in communities within the interface of church and health spaces. However, the church’s role and function is organic and differs in every community.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (8) ◽  
pp. 46
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Maria Dias ◽  
Erum Lalwani ◽  
Amina Aijaz Khowaja ◽  
Yasmin Murad Mithani

Clinical preceptors (CPs) play an integral role to prepare skilled, competent and caring student nurses to perform their future roles as members of the health care team. The aim of this study was to explore processes and effectiveness of the new role of clinical preceptors (CPs) in a low income country. A case study using Tellis (1997) approach was used. Data was collected from different viewpoints including, nursing administration, nursing services, co-faculty and students. The findings of the study will contribute to an in-depth understanding about the emerging role of CPs and operationalization of this role within the undergraduate nursing programme in Pakistan. The study findings endorse that CPs support clinical education of the nursing students’ provided there is mentorship and a program for teaching and learning. Through this case study the authors demonstrated the complexities and challenges of introducing a new role. Additionally, factors like institutional support, resources and mentorship are vital elements to support the new emerging role of CPs. It is envisioned that this new role can be replicated in other health care disciplines locally and regionally.


Author(s):  
Elise Paradis ◽  
Warren Mark Liew ◽  
Myles Leslie

Drawing on an ethnographic study of teamwork in critical care units (CCUs), this chapter applies Henri Lefebvre’s ([1974] 1991) theoretical insights to an analysis of clinicians’ and patients’ embodied spatial practices. Lefebvre’s triadic framework of conceived, lived, and perceived spaces draws attention to the role of bodies in the production and negotiation of power relations among nurses, physicians, and patients within the CCU. Three ethnographic vignettes—“The Fight,” “The Parade,” and “The Plan”—explore how embodied spatial practices underlie the complexities of health care delivery, making visible the hidden narratives of conformity and resistance that characterize interprofessional care hierarchies. The social orderings of bodies in space are consequential: seeing them is the first step in redressing them.


2021 ◽  
pp. 008124632199445
Author(s):  
Tammy-lee Pretorius

COVID-19 spread rapidly across the world, and by March 2020, the first case of COVID-19 was identified in South Africa. Lockdown-related measures such as restricted movement and isolation were implemented to contain the virus. Combined with these measures, factors such as economic decline, job losses, and food shortages can cause numerous mental health sequelae such as depression. Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness as well as cases of suicide have been reported around the world due to the pandemic and the associated feelings of anxiety and depression. The aims of this study were to investigate levels of hopelessness and depression in a sample of health care students. A random sample of students ( N = 174) enrolled in a health sciences programme at the University of the Western Cape completed the Beck Hopelessness Scale, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and a three-item Resilience Scale. The results revealed high levels of hopelessness and depression compared to previously reported normative data for these scales. In addition, the indirect effects of hopelessness on depression were significant, demonstrating the mediating role of resilience in the hopelessness–depression relationship. These results highlight a call for universities to take proactive measures in providing students with free and easily accessible resources to help them cope and manage stress during a traumatic event. More importantly, at a national level, preventive measures should be implemented to strengthen resilience in young adults.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Genecy Moraes Coelho Junior ◽  
Branca Terra ◽  
Elaine Cavalcate Peixoto Borin ◽  
Mariza Almeida

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