Personality: A potentially untapped resource in the selection of postgraduate pharmacy residents

Disclaimer In an effort to expedite the publication of articles, AJHP is posting manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time. Purpose This study assessed whether personality testing of postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) pharmacy residency applicants was feasible and predicted important selection outcomes, including interview offers. Methods Applicants to the PGY1 pharmacy residency program at a large academic medical center were invited to complete a 50-item online personality test based on the 5-factor model (ie, the “Big Five”). Scores were sealed until after matching, at which point they were compared to screening, interview, and ranking and match outcomes. Endpoints of interest included the feasibility of the test (eg, time required for completion, completion rate) and whether personality predicted the odds of an interview offer. Results The personality test was taken by 137 PGY1 applicants (69.5%) and required a median of 6.8 minutes to complete. Openness to experience was associated with decreased odds of an interview offer (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75-0.98), whereas conscientiousness and extraversion were associated with increased odds of an interview offer (conscientiousness: adjusted OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.02-1.55; extraversion: OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.03-1.31). When combined with traditional screening criteria (eg, awards, leadership positions), openness to experience and extraversion remained predictors of an interview offer (in the directions specified above), whereas conscientiousness did not. In an exploratory analysis of interviewees, agreeableness was a negative predictor of interview score. Personality did not predict screening scores or final ranking. Conclusion Personality testing, based on the traits desired at individual residency programs, could be a valuable addition to the methods used for selecting PGY1 pharmacy residents.

Evaluation of care burden and preparedness of caregivers who provide care to palliative care patients

Objective Caregivers have a great role in palliative care. Considering the difficult process of palliative care, the caregiver undertakes an extra burden with the responsibility of the patient. This study was carried out to evaluate the care burden and preparedness of caregivers who provide care for palliative care patients. Method This study was conducted in the palliative care unit of a state hospital in Turkey between January and May 2019. No sample was selected in the study, and the study was carried out with individuals who were hospitalized in the palliative care unit and who volunteered to participate in the study between the specified dates. The data were collected with Patient Relative Questionnaire Form, Burden Interview, and Preparedness for Caregiving Scale. Results The average Burden Interview score was found as 33.6, SD 13.03 in the study. Patient relatives perceived the patients they cared for as a burden at moderate levels. The Preparedness for Caregiving score average was found as 18.55, SD 6.83. It was found that patient relatives were moderately prepared to undertake the role of caregiver. It was found that care burden decreased as preparedness for caregiving increased and burden increased as preparedness for caregiving decreased (p = 0.001). Significance of results As a result of the study, it was found that caregivers of palliative patients had the moderate levels of care burden and preparedness for caregiving. It was found that as the preparedness levels of caregivers increased, their burdens decreased. Accordingly, it is important that nurses will plan nursing interventions by considering the factors that affect the care burden and preparedness of caregivers.

The burden of care and burn out syndrome in caregivers of an Egyptian sample of schizophrenia patients

Background: The role of caregivers of schizophrenia patients in management and prognosis is crucial, caregivers are considered cornerstones in getting better outcome and quality of life. Aim: To assess the burden of care and burn out syndrome in the caregivers of schizophrenia patients and its sociodemographic and clinical correlates. Methods: Recruiting all schizophrenia patients and their caregivers who sought help at El Mamoura hospital, Alexandria, Egypt, for assessment of burn out syndrome and burden of care and its sociodemographic and clinical correlates over full 6 months period. Results: The study included 120 schizophrenia patient and their 120 caregivers, Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview score was 25.758 ± 7.382, which indicates high burden level. Regarding the Maslach Burnout Inventory results, the mean score of Emotional Exhaustion was 50% of the caregivers have high Emotional Exhaustion scores, 35% have moderate scores; followed by 15% with low scores. The mean score of Depersonalization 46.67% of the caregivers have high (DP) scores, 30.83% have moderate scores; while 22.50% low scores. The mean score of Personal Accomplishment was 62.50% of the caregivers have low scores; 36.67% have moderate scores, while only 0.83% have high scores. Most important correlates were, male patient, positive symptoms, continuous course of illness, noncompliance, living in rural areas, and low family income. Conclusions: Levels of Burn out syndrome and burden of care is high in caregivers of schizophrenia patients, caring for caregivers is very important for providing better mental health services, more research is still needed in this field.

SISTEM PENDUKUNG KEPUTUSAN PEREKRUTAN ANGGOTA BEM MENGGUNAKAN METODE SAW DAN TOPSIS

This study aims to solve problems in the recruitment of prospective BEM members at Labuhan Batu University. To select a competent member of the Labuhan Batu University Student Executive Board (BEM) organization, several stages of selection were carried out. However, decision making in recruitment isprone to collusion and nepotism at the student level on campus. To overcome this, a decision support system (DSS) for the recruitment of BEM members was designed using the SAW and TOPSIS methods. The DSS is designed using criteria, namely: GPA, Interview Score, Support Certificate, Organizational Experience and Commitment with weights for each criterion are 10, 20, 20, 30, 30.The result of this study is a decision support system using the TOPSIS method and SAW. The two best alternatives obtained from the ranking results using these two methods are alternatives with numbers A7 and A8. Keywords: Decision Support System, Selection, SAW, TOPSIS, Method

A Data-Driven Approach to High-Volume Recruitment: Application to Student Admission

Problem definition: Service providers often recruit a large number people over a short period of time, a practice known as high-volume recruitment. In this study, we describe a data-driven approach that can be used to streamline the recruitment process and aid decision making. The recruitment process consists of two stages: screening and interview. All candidates are evaluated in the screening stage, but only those with sufficiently high screening scores are short-listed for an interview. After the interview stage, offers are made based on the screening and interview scores. We define the error rate as the probability that a candidate who is rejected during either stage might have had a higher job performance than the median job performance of the candidates recruited had he or she been accepted. To ensure the error rate is no higher than a certain level, how many candidates should be short-listed, and, after the interview, how should candidates be ranked based on the two scores? Academic/practical relevance: High-volume recruitment is challenging because decisions have to be made for many people, under tight time constraints, and under uncertainty. Our approach does not require knowledge about the cost of evaluating candidates and the utility of selecting candidates; hence, it is easier to implement in practice. We apply the approach to the process of recruiting students for a postgraduate business program. Methodology: We use stochastic modeling and regression. Results: We provide a procedure for estimating the error rate as a function of the percentage of candidates short-listed for interviews. We show that the estimated error rate is asymptotically unbiased and converges to the true error rate in probability. We then run a linear regression analysis to estimate the relationship between job performance and the screening and interview scores. In a case study involving a postgraduate business program, the job performance measure we adopt is the grade point average in the program, observable only for the students enrolled in the program. We find that the interview score is statistically significant, but the screening score is not. Managerial implications: For the postgraduate program, our study demonstrates that the time-intensive interview process has substantial value. We should increase, rather than reduce, as suggested by the program administrators before our study, the weight assigned to the interview score and the time spent on the interview process. Knowing the relationship between the error rate and the percentage of candidates short-listed for interviews, the program administrators can determine the appropriate percentage for any given error rate deemed acceptable and improve the ranking of candidates. Our approach is general and can be applied to other high-volume recruiters.

The Burden and Perceived Stress on Family Caregivers of Patients With Orofacial Cleft Deformities in The Perioperative Period of Cleft Repair

Different stages along the trajectory of cleft care may present with different and peculiar challenges that may negatively impact family caregivers, leading to considerable stress and burden. This study aims to evaluate the family caregiver burden and perceived stress of caring for patients with cleft deformities. Contributing factors to family caregivers’ burden in the perioperative period of cleft repair was also identified. A cross-sectional design that included 90 adult caregiver–patient pairs was employed. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect necessary information. The level of caregiver’s burden was assessed using the Zarit burden interview score. The results demonstrated the levels of caregiver burden as severe (4.4%), moderate to severe (21.1%), mild to moderate (40%), and little or none (34.5%). The only significant and independent predictor of caregiver burden was earning less than US$50/month (odds ratio = 2.30, 95% CI = 0.95-5.61, P = .066). Coping strategy was mainly family support (98.9%), while the greatest need expressed was financial assistance (66.7%). Our findings suggests that efforts geared at reducing direct and indirect cost of cleft care may help in reducing caregivers’ burden.

GP-001, a Facility-Randomized, Open-Label, Cross-Over Study to Evaluate the Effect of Pecan on Caregiver Burden Score in Nursing Care Facility for Dementia Person

Objectives Tree nuts such as pecan (Carya illinoinensis) have been thought to be possible dietary interventions for not only cardiovascular and metabolic disorders but also age-related brain disorders. The aim of this study was to understand the usefulness of pecan consumption to improve the burden of caregivers working in the nursing facility for the person with mild to moderate dementia. Methods Totally 36 dementia patients, with a revised version of Hasegawa's dementia scale (HDS-R) score of less than 21, were recruited from 2 nursing care facilities belonging to the Shoukyukai hospital (Iwate, Japan). They were randomly allocated into 2 groups depending on the administration: any snack chosen by caregivers as control and 5 pieces of fresh pecan per day. All patients were received everyday 10 am for 3 months with a cup of green tea to avoid mis-swallowing. After 2 months washout period, the cross-over treatment was done. As the primary endpoint, the Zarit Burden Interview, a well-known caregiver self-report measurement, was used with slight modification to detect the change in caregiver burden during 3 months consumption. Secondary endpoints were grip power test and 5 meters walking test reflecting patient's physical activity. Blood biochemical analyses including the parameters on cholesterol metabolism were also done. All parameters including HDS-R were examined at baseline and 3 months after treatment. Results with P < 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. The study protocol was approved by the ethical committee of Shoukyukai hospital. The trial registration ID is UMIN000039229. Results Thirty-one and 33 patients completed the course of treatments for control snack and pecan, respectively. Changes in the Zarit burden interview score from baseline were significantly different between groups (control, 0.87 ± 2.92; pecan, −1.00 ± 2.98; P = 0.015), suggesting pecan consumption improved the caregiver burden in comparison to any snack chosen by caregiver. No differentiation on HDS-R and other parameters between groups was seen. Adverse event was not observed in both groups. Conclusions Pecan consumption may be useful to improve caregiver burden in the nursing facility for dementia person. Funding Sources GP-001 study was supported by the local government of City of Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, Japan.

Characterization of clinical knowledge and problem-solving assessments employed in postgraduate year 1 pharmacy residency interviews

Purpose Attainment of postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) residency positions has become increasingly competitive. Inclusion of clinical knowledge and problem-solving assessments in onsite interviews has increased in recent years. Characterization of these assessments is necessary for applicants to best prepare for interviews and for mentors to provide guidance. Methods An online survey was emailed to program directors of PGY1 pharmacy residency programs accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were used to compare categorical data. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to analyze nonparametric continuous data. Results Of the 221 respondents, most identified their programs as based at community (48%) or academic (39%) medical centers. Ninety percent of programs reported inclusion of clinical knowledge and problem-solving assessments in the onsite interview process. The most common assessments included asking clinical questions (70%), development of a SOAP (subjective, objective, assessment, plan) note or care plan (42%), and formal presentations that applicants prepared prior to arrival (39%). Most programs (71%) reported incorporating multiple assessments, with 2 assessments included most commonly (43%). Clinical assessment performance accounted for 10% to 25% of the overall interview score in approximately half of programs. Conclusion During onsite PGY1 residency interviews, applicants must be prepared to participate in at least 1 clinical knowledge and problem-solving assessment, including answering clinical questions, developing a SOAP note or care plan, and/or delivering a presentation. Applicants should expect that these assessments will account for a substantial portion of the interview evaluation.

Efficacy and Safety of Psychostimulants for Alzheimer’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction Several reports of the effectiveness of the use of psychostimulants for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are available. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted including double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials. Outcomes were the improvement of apathy scales score (primary), mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score, activities of daily living scale score, Zarit burden interview score, all-cause discontinuation, discontinuation due to adverse events, and incidence of at least 1 adverse event. Results Three methylphenidate studies and 1 modafinil study were identified (n=156). Results from combined psychostimulants were superior to placebo in the improvement of apathy scales score (standardized mean differences [SMD]=−0.63 (−1.22, −0.04), p=0.04, all studies) and the MMSE score (SMD=−0.58 (−1.14, −0.02), p=0.04, 3 methylphenidate studies). The modafinil study was excluded from the meta-analysis for the improvement of apathy scales score; therefore, the effect size increased (SMD=−0.82 (−1.43, −0.20), p=0.009). However, no significant differences were observed in terms of other outcomes, including safety outcomes between the treatment groups. Discussion Methylphenidate would be effective in treating apathy and cognitive impairment in AD patients.