Written by Abel Essah
Published in Vol 4 Issue 1, 2024
This study, conducted at the Howard University College of Pharmacy, aimed to assess pharmacy students’ understanding and opinions on the off-label use of gabapentin in the treatment of pruritus. Gabapentin is primarily prescribed for conditions such as seizures and neuropathic pain, raising concerns when it is used for pruritus without formal approval. A survey of 39 students found that only 27% were aware of gabapentin’s approval for the treatment of seizures, while just 10.8% recognized its us
Written by Jhoyce S. Souza
Published in Vol 4 Issue 1, 2024
Currently, there is no straightforward measure that combines the extent to which a patient uses different healthcare services into a comprehensive score. This study aimed to develop such a tool and investigate its relationship to overall health outcomes, including mortality and life expectancy. We developed the Healthcare Utilisation (HUTIL) index by assigning weights to different healthcare services based on their typical costs compared to a primary care physician (PCP) visit. These cost ratios
Written by Baudouin Standaert
Published in Vol 4 Issue 1, 2024
Previous estimates of potential cost savings from the de-implementation of low-value care have been calculated using simple modeling approaches that focus on direct medical costs and do not account for substitution. Therefore, this study aimed to develop and evaluate a modeling approach to calculate a more realistic estimate of the societal costs and benefits of de-implanting low-value care. The modelling approach was developed and evaluated in three steps: (1) reviewing studies to identify aspe
Written by Naganandini Raju
Published in Vol 4 Issue 1, 2024
Dementia presents a pressing health issue worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), a post-conflict LMIC with a fragmented healthcare system, currently lacks standardized national policies, prevalence data, and coordinated dementia services. This study examines how healthcare providers perceive and approach dementia care, identifying challenges and feasible improvements tailored to BiH’s healthcare environment. A qualitative cross-sectional
Written by Abdulaziz Alhossan
Published in Vol 4 Issue 1, 2024
The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in late 2019 triggered a shift in healthcare priorities globally, with pharmacies playing a pivotal role in supporting the healthcare system throughout the pandemic. This study aimed to assess the preparedness and service delivery of community pharmacies in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 crisis. A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to November 2020, using an electronic questionnaire distributed to community pharmacists across the country. The survey focused o
Written by Nikolaj Frost
Published in Vol 4 Issue 1, 2024
Patient navigation initiatives aim to improve the coordination of healthcare by reducing the barriers patients encounter when seeking access to appropriate services. These types of interventions are currently being tested both within Germany and internationally. A common obstacle in such research, as with most clinical trials, is developing recruitment methods that successfully enroll enough participants from the target groups. The results presented here aim to share insights and experiences reg
Written by Hui Liu
Published in Vol 4 Issue 1, 2024
Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) has been shown to improve outcomes for individuals with cardiovascular conditions significantly. The encouragement and referrals provided by healthcare professionals are crucial for engaging patients in CR programs. This study aimed to investigate the perceptions of Chinese healthcare providers regarding CR, assess the frequency with which they recommend it to patients, and examine the factors influencing their recommendation practices. A nationwide cross-sectional su
Written by Irene Alcoceba-Herrero
Published in Vol 4 Issue 1, 2024
Posthospital care aims to enhance patient access to providers and reduce avoidable readmissions. This study assessed the feasibility, barriers, and influencing factors associated with implementing remote patient monitoring (RPM) for oncology patients at the Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute (HHC) in Hartford, CT, and across a statewide health system. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews and focus groups to gather insights from hospi
Written by Anil K. Verma
Published in Vol 4 Issue 1, 2024
To evaluate how curriculum committees in US schools and colleges of pharmacy have changed since 2011 with respect to their roles, organizational design, duties, charges, and operational activities. A survey was administered to 133 fully accredited schools and colleges of pharmacy. Data were gathered between March and September 2020, with survey items referring to the 2019–2020 academic year. Information collected included committee composition, leadership structure, assigned responsibilities, an
Written by Natalie R. Evans
Published in Vol 4 Issue 1, 2024
This research aimed to evaluate if incorporating standardized patients (SPs), or combining SPs with interprofessional student groups, alongside a simulated electronic health record (EHR) system, enhanced knowledge retention and student attitudes among learners. A prospective cohort design was employed to examine three groups of entry-level pharmacy students participating in skills lab sessions during 2018, 2019, and 2021. The main goal was to assess retention of case content one month later acro
Written by Jorge L. Ramirez
Published in Vol 4 Issue 1, 2024
The main goal of this research was to evaluate the ethical growth in moral judgment among pharmacy undergraduates and graduates at a Jordanian university. A cross-sectional approach was employed to examine the ethical decision-making abilities of 512 pharmacy students and graduates using the Professional Ethics in Pharmacy (PEP) instrument. The key metric was the Principled Morality Score, expressed as a percentage indicating the extent of advanced moral judgment, with elevated scores signifying
Written by James Anderson
Published in Vol 4 Issue 1, 2024
For healthcare students, adopting judicious self-medication habits is vital for promoting the safe, effective, and economical use of drugs for conditions they have diagnosed themselves. This investigation sought to evaluate students’ understanding, views, and behaviors regarding responsible self-medication.A one-month online cross-sectional survey was carried out from March 1 to March 31, 2024, targeting pharmacy students in Uganda. Eligibility was open to those enrolled in diploma, bachelor’s,
Written by Hans Müller
Published in Vol 4 Issue 1, 2024
Antibiotic resistance continues to pose a serious threat to healthcare systems worldwide. Healthcare professionals are directly involved in prescribing, dispensing, and administering antibiotics. This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance among healthcare professionals at a major tertiary hospital in Monrovia, Liberia. Researchers performed a cross-sectional hospital-based survey between January and June 2023. A total of 61 h
Written by Sofía Martínez
Published in Vol 4 Issue 1, 2024
Fluoroquinolones (FQs) are widely used antimicrobial agents known for their strong efficacy against a broad range of infections. Despite their extensive use and generally acceptable tolerance profile, safety concerns remain. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence, severity, and outcomes of fluoroquinolone (FQ)-related adverse drug reactions (ADRs) using reports from a regional spontaneous ADR reporting system. A retrospective cross-sectional observational design was employed, including all p
Written by Kenji Tanaka
Published in Vol 4 Issue 1, 2024
A comparison of the side effects associated with protein kinase inhibitors (PKIs) and other anticancer treatments was conducted using data from the FDA Adverse Events Reporting System (FAERS). The analysis encompassed 159 FDA-approved anticancer medications (71 PKIs and 88 non-PKIs) and examined 8216 distinct adverse event (AE) terms. PKIs exhibited reduced systemic toxicities overall, averaging 230.1 unique AEs per drug versus 537.7 for non-PKIs. Hematologic toxicities occurred less frequently
Written by Lucas Meyer
Published in Vol 4 Issue 1, 2024
Expanded pharmacist prescribing can shorten routes to treatment, but statutory authority does not itself establish a service able to assess, prescribe, escalate, monitor, and recover from uncertainty safely. This conceptual/policy article develops a Scope–Support Policy-Alignment Framework that separates formal scope from the responsibilities generated by prescribing and from the supports needed to discharge them: diagnostic and information support, referral and escalation access, follow-up and
