Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 73 in total

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  1. Munsour EE, Awaisu A, Ahmad Hassali MA, Dabbous Z, Zahran N, Abdoun E
    Res Social Adm Pharm, 2020 Jun;16(6):793-799.
    PMID: 31542446 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2019.08.038
    BACKGROUND: The importance of providing accurate medication information that can be easily comprehended by patients to subsequently best use their medication(s) has been widely reported in the literature. Patient information leaflet (PIL) is a supporting tool aiding patients to make decisions about their treatment plan and improve patient-clinician communication and thus medication adherence. PIL is the written document produced by the pharmaceutical manufacturers and packed with the medicine. The available PILs do not consider cultural and behavioral perspectives of diverse populations residing in a country like Qatar. Consumer medication information (CMI) is written information about prescription drugs developed by organizations or individuals other than a drug's manufacturer that is intended for distribution to consumers at the time of drug dispensing.

    OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of customized CMI (C-CMI) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in Qatar.

    METHODS: This was a randomized controlled intervention study, in which the intervention group patients received C-CMI and the control group patients received usual care. HRQoL was measured using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire and EQ visual analog scale (EQ-VAS) at three intervals [i.e. baseline, after 3 months and 6 months].

    RESULTS: The EQ-5D-5L index value for the intervention group exhibited sustained improvement from baseline to the third visit. There was a statistically significant difference between groups in the HRQoL utility value (represented as EQ index) at 6 months (0.939 vs. 0.796; p = 0.019). Similarly, the intervention group compared with the control group had significantly greater EQ-VAS at 6 months (90% vs. 80%; p = 0.003).

    CONCLUSIONS: The impact of C-CMI on health outcomes of T2DM patients in Qatar reported improvement in HRQoL indicators among the intervention patients. The study built a platform for health policymakers and regulatory agencies to consider the provision of C-CMI in multiple languages.

  2. Ibrahim NA, Wong YY, Lean QY, Ramasamy K, Lim SM, Tan MP, et al.
    Res Social Adm Pharm, 2024 Feb;20(2):172-181.
    PMID: 37980238 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2023.11.001
    BACKGROUND: Independent and safe medication self-management is essential for successful aging. Nevertheless, how older adults with cognitive frailty (CF) self-manage medications at their own homes remain elusive.

    OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at assessing the medication self-management capability of home-dwelling older adults with CF and exploring the ways, perceived challenges and barriers in medication self-management.

    METHODS: A convergent mixed-method study design was used. The medication management capability of 16 CF individuals aged ≥ 60 years on ≥ 1 long-term prescription drugs were assessed using the Drug Regimen Unassisted Grading Scale (DRUGS). Virtual in-depth interviews were also performed between July-August 2022 using a semi-structured interview guide. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative data were analysed using a thematic analysis approach guided by Bailey and colleagues' model of medication self-management.

    RESULTS: The mean DRUGS summary score was 96.86 [standard deviation (SD) 3.74] with highest performance scores observed in medication access (100 %) and lowest performance score in medication identification (91.46 %). Informants were able to independently take their medications and they tended to organise their medication intakes according to mealtime even though some admitted missing medication doses due to forgetfulness. Informants had difficulties with recalling drug names, with little awareness of self-monitoring their own health conditions and the effects of medications. Misconceptions towards medications, difficulties in accessing medications, reduced mobility and worsening health conditions could potentially deter informants from safe and independent medication self-management. In contrast, trust in doctors and a desire to achieve treatment goal could motivate medication self-management.

    CONCLUSION: The findings revealed knowledge gaps among older adults with CF in identifying their medications and self-monitoring which warrant reinforcement by healthcare professionals to ensure chronic safe medication use. Future studies should evaluate strategies to enhance medication safety in terms of self-monitoring in individuals with CF.

  3. Hassali MA, Shafie AA, Al-Haddad MS, Abduelkarem AR, Ibrahim MI, Palaian S, et al.
    Res Social Adm Pharm, 2011 Dec;7(4):415-20.
    PMID: 21272536 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2010.10.003
    The practice of pharmacy and, consequently, pharmacy curricula have undergone significant changes over the past years in response to a rapidly changing economic, political, and social environment. Within this context, the pharmacist's role had expanded to include more direct interaction with the public in terms of the provision of health information and advice on the safe and rational use of medications. To carry out these roles effectively, pharmacists need to be well prepared on how to deal with patients' behavior and psychology. The understanding of patient sociobehavioral aspects in the medication use process is paramount to achieving optimal clinical and humanistic outcomes from therapy. The concept of behavioral sciences and health psychology are embedded as the fundamental concepts in the field of social pharmacy, and thus it is imperative that this should be taught and nurtured to future pharmacy practitioners. Based on the growing needs for future pharmacists to be exposed to issues in social pharmacy, many pharmacy schools around the world have adopted this subject to be part of their standard curriculum. In this commentary, a discussion of the needs of social pharmacy courses in pharmacy curriculum will be addressed in the context of both developed and developing countries.
  4. Toh LS, Lai PSM, Othman S, Wong KT, Low BY, Anderson C
    Res Social Adm Pharm, 2017 11;13(6):1142-1150.
    PMID: 27780658 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2016.10.004
    OBJECTIVES: This study describes the perspective of patients, nurses, pharmacists, doctors and policy makers to identify the level of collaboration and the areas for improvement to achieve inter-professional collaboration between doctors, nurses, pharmacists and policy makers in a primary care clinic.

    METHODS: Patients (n = 20), Nurses (n = 10), pharmacists (n = 11), doctors (n = 10) and policy makers (n = 5) from a primary care were individually interviewed using a semi-structured topic guide. Purposive sampling was used. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis informed by constant comparison.

    RESULTS: Patients, doctors, nurses, pharmacists and policy makers were eager for pharmacists to be more proactive in creating health awareness and conducting osteoporosis screening at the primary care clinic via inter-professional collaboration. These findings were further examined using the D'Amour's structural model of collaboration which encompasses four main themes: shared goals and visions, internalization, formalization and governance. This model supports our data which highlights a lack of understanding of the pharmacists' role among the doctors, nurses, policy makers and pharmacists themselves. There is also a lack of governance and formalization, that fosters consensus, leadership, protocol and information exchange. Nonetheless, the stakeholders trust that pharmacists have sufficient knowledge to contribute to the screening of osteoporosis. Our primary care clinic can be described as developing towards an inter-professional collaboration in managing osteoporosis but is still in its early stages.

    CONCLUSIONS: Inter-professional collaboration in osteoporosis management at the primary care level is beginning to be practised. Efforts extending to awareness and acceptance towards the pharmacists' role will be crucial for a successful change.
  5. Hussain R, Dawoud DM, Babar ZU
    Res Social Adm Pharm, 2021 01;17(1):1920-1924.
    PMID: 32792322 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2020.07.015
    Countries around the globe have responded to pandemic preparedness and developed strategies to cope with the COVID-19 crisis. In this context, the role of healthcare professionals is of paramount importance. Pharmacists are playing a vital role in dealing, preparedness, prevention, protection, promoting access to medicines and to improve health outcomes during this crisis. In this context, "Drive-thru" pharmacy services improve access to medicines while ensuring the preventive measures suggested by the World Health Organization. This commentary provides an overview of opportunities and challenges related to the implementation of "drive-thru pharmacy services" and their role in improving public health during this crisis.
  6. Hatah E, Tordoff J, Duffull SB, Braund R
    Res Social Adm Pharm, 2014 Jan-Feb;10(1):185-94.
    PMID: 23688540 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2013.04.008
    In New Zealand, pharmacists are funded to provide adherence support to their patients via a service called "Medicines Use Review" (MUR). The service is based on the assumption that the medication regimen is clinically appropriate and therefore does not include a clinical review. However, whether or not pharmacists make clinical recommendations to patients during MUR is unclear.
  7. Samah S, Neoh CF, Wong YY, Hassali MA, Shafie AA, Lim SM, et al.
    Res Social Adm Pharm, 2017 11;13(6):1135-1141.
    PMID: 27825607 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2016.10.017
    BACKGROUND: Quality of life (QoL) assessment provides valuable outcome to support clinical decision-making, particularly for patients with chronic diseases that are incurable. A brief, 15-item diabetes-specific tool [i.e. Diabetes Quality of Life-Brief Clinical Inventory (DQoL-BCI)] is known to be developed in English and validated for use in clinical practice. This simplified tool, however, is not readily available for use in the Malaysian setting.

    OBJECTIVE: To translate the DQoL-BCI into a Malaysian version and to assess its construct validity (factorial validity, convergent validity and discriminant validity), reliability (internal consistency) and floor and ceiling effects among the Malaysian diabetic population.

    MATERIAL AND METHODS: A forward-backward translation, involving professional translators and experts with vast experience in translation of patient reported outcome measures, was conducted. A total of 202 patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were invited to complete the translated DQoL-BCI. Data were analysed using SPSS for exploratory factor analysis (EFA), convergent and discriminant validity, reliability and test-retest, and AMOS software for confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).

    RESULTS: Findings from EFA indicated that the 4-factor structure of the Malaysian version of DQoL-BCI was optimal and explained 50.9% of the variance; CFA confirmed the 4-factor model fit. There was negative, moderate correlation between the scores of DQoL-BCI (Malaysian version) and EQ-5D-3L utility score (r = -0.329, p = 0.003). Patients with higher glycated haemoglobin levels (p = 0.008), diabetes macrovascular (p = 0.017) and microvascular (p = 0.013) complications reported poorer QoL. Cronbach's alpha coefficient and intraclass coefficient correlations (range) obtained were 0.703 and 0.86 (0.734-0.934), indicating good reliability and stability of the translated DQoL-BCI.

    CONCLUSION: This study had validated the linguistic and psychometric properties of DQoL-BCI (Malaysian version), thus providing a valid and reliable brief tool for assessing the QoL of Malaysian T2DM patients.

  8. Ahmed A, Abdulelah Dujaili J, Rehman IU, Lay Hong AC, Hashmi FK, Awaisu A, et al.
    Res Social Adm Pharm, 2021 Jul 28.
    PMID: 34353754 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2021.07.020
    BACKGROUND: Pharmacists play a significant role in the multidisciplinary care of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (PLWHA). However, there is less evidence to clarify the impact of pharmacist as an individual team member on HIV care.

    OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the effects of pharmacist intervention on improving adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART), viral load (VL) suppression, and change in CD4-T lymphocytes in PLWHA.

    METHODS: We identified relevant records from six databases (Pubmed, EMBASE, ProQuest, Scopus, Cochrane, and EBSCOhost) from inception till June 2020. We included studies that evaluated the impact of pharmacist care activities on clinical outcomes in PLWHA. A random-effect model was used to estimate the overall effect [odds ratio (OR) for dichotomous and mean difference (MD) for continuous data] with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system was used to evaluate the quality of evidence. The review protocol was published on PROSPERO (CRD42020167994).

    RESULTS: Twenty-five studies involving 3206 PLWHA in which pharmacist-provided intervention either in the form of education with or without pharmaceutical-care either alone or as an interdisciplinary team member were included. Eight studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs), while 17 studies were non-RCTs. Pooled-analyses showed a significant impact of pharmacist care compared to usual care group on adherence outcome (OR: 2.70 [95%, CI 1.80, 4.05]), VL suppression (OR: 4.13 [95% CI 2.27, 7.50]), and rise of CD4-T lymphocytes count (MD: 66.83 cells/mm3 [95% CI 44.08, 89.57]). The strength of evidence ranged from moderate, low to very low.

    CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that pharmacist care improves adherence, VL suppression, and CD4-T lymphocyte improvement in PLWHA; however, it should be noted that the majority of the studies have a high risk of bias. More research with more rigorous designs is required to reaffirm the impact of pharmacist interventions on clinical and economic outcomes in PLWHA.

  9. Elnaem MH, Cheema E
    Res Social Adm Pharm, 2021 01;17(1):1938-1941.
    PMID: 32507575 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2020.05.030
    The current pandemic of the COVID-19 infection, coupled with the increased global burden of diabetes, has imposed significant challenges to the healthcare providers in providing effective and sustained care to patients with diabetes during the ongoing pandemic. It is, therefore, important for healthcare providers to understand and follow the recommended changes in the delivery of care, lifestyle modifications, and pharmacotherapy to ensure optimal care to the patients during and post-pandemic era. This commentary aims to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on diabetes care and the important considerations for pharmacists during this pandemic.
  10. Chong WW, Aslani P, Chen TF
    Res Social Adm Pharm, 2014 Mar-Apr;10(2):419-37.
    PMID: 23787139 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2013.05.006
    BACKGROUND: Effective communication between community pharmacists and patients, particularly with a patient-centered approach, is important to address patients' concerns relating to antidepressant medication use. However, few studies have investigated community pharmacists' communication behaviors in depression care.
    OBJECTIVE: To characterize community pharmacist-patient interactions during consultations involving use of antidepressants.
    METHODS: Twenty community pharmacists received 3 simulated patient visits involving issues related to the use of antidepressants: 1) patient receiving a first-time antidepressant prescription; 2) patient perceiving lack of efficacy of antidepressants after 2 weeks of treatment, and 3) patient intending to discontinue treatment prematurely. All 60 encounters were audio-recorded and analyzed using the Roter Interaction Analysis System (RIAS), a quantitative coding system that characterizes communication behaviors through discrete categories. A patient-centeredness score was calculated for each encounter.
    RESULTS: The majority of pharmacist communication was biomedical in nature (50.7%), and focused on providing therapeutic information and advice on the antidepressant regimen. In contrast, only 5.4% of pharmacist communication was related to lifestyle/psychosocial exchanges. There were also few instances of emotional rapport-building behaviors (8.6%) or information gathering (6.6%). Patient-centered scores were highest in the scenario involving a first-time antidepressant user, as compared to other scenarios involving issues with continued therapy.
    CONCLUSIONS: Community pharmacists appeared to adopt a "medication-centered" approach when counseling on antidepressant issues. There is scope for improvement in patient-centered communication behaviors, particularly lifestyle/psychosocial discussions, facilitating patient participation, and emotional rapport-building. The RIAS appears suited to characterize brief consultations in community pharmacies and can provide a framework in guiding communication training efforts. Further research is needed to assess the impact of pharmacist communication behaviors on patient care outcomes.
    KEYWORDS: Antidepressant adherence; Patient-centeredness; Pharmacist–patient communication; Roter Interaction Analysis System
  11. Christopher CM, Blebil AQ, Bhuvan KC, Alex D, Mohamed Ibrahim MI, Ismail N, et al.
    Res Social Adm Pharm, 2023 Dec;19(12):1520-1530.
    PMID: 37574369 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2023.08.001
    BACKGROUND: As the largest demographic group utilizing primary healthcare facilities, older adults often face the challenge of managing multiple chronic illnesses, leading to numerous medications.

    OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to assess medication use problems among older adults and explore the factors affecting them in primary healthcare settings.

    METHODS: A mixed-method study was conducted to establish a baseline understanding of the perspectives and challenges faced by older adults, with regards to medication use. Translated Medication Use Questionnaire (MedUseQ), a patient-centered tool, was distributed to older adults above 60 in primary healthcare settings to assess their frequency of problems related to medication use. Fifteen semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore this topic in depth. Descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted with quantitative data. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, and thematic analysis was conducted. Quantitative and qualitative findings data were triangulated.

    RESULTS: The study involved 393 participants. The most common problems with regards to medication use were polypharmacy (55.4%), administration difficulties (48.4%), limited awareness about adverse drug events (47.3%), issues with adherence (46.5%), and accessibility to primary healthcare (42.7%). Approximately 55% were satisfied with the older adult-centered medication use services by pharmacist and doctors. The qualitative findings showed that major factors affecting medication use were forgetfulness, language barriers, lack of awareness, transportation problems, long waiting times, and multiple visits to healthcare facilities.

    CONCLUSION: The findings of this study reveal that a significant proportion, around 50%, of the older adult population face challenges with medication use in Penang. These difficulties mainly stem from medication administration, adherence, accessibility, polypharmacy, and inadequate medication knowledge. The qualitative analysis further highlighted several factors that contribute to such medication-related problems. Given the rapidly aging Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) population, it is essential to devise effective solutions and strategies to tackle medication use-related issues among older adults.

  12. Peikari HR, Shah MH, Zakaria MS, Yasin NM, Elhissi A
    Res Social Adm Pharm, 2015 May-Jun;11(3):339-51.
    PMID: 25262599 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2014.08.011
    The results from past studies about the effects of second-generation e-prescribing systems on community pharmacists' outcomes and practices are inconclusive, and the claims of effectiveness and efficiency of such systems have not been supported in all studies. There is a strong need to study the factors that lead to positive outcomes for the users of these systems.
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