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  1. Zabidi-Hussin ZA
    Med J Malaysia, 2007 Oct;62(4):275-7.
    PMID: 18551927 MyJurnal
    Matched MeSH terms: Practice Patterns, Physicians'/statistics & numerical data*
  2. Chan CYW, Chiu CK, Cheung JPY, Cheung PWH, Gani SMA, Kwan MK
    Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 2020 Sep 15;45(18):1285-1292.
    PMID: 32756270 DOI: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000003622
    STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey.

    OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the clinical practices of spine surgeons within the Asia Pacific region.

    SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: COVID-19 pandemic had changed spine surgeons' clinical practices and their concerns toward personal and family risk of infection.

    METHODS: This cross-sectional survey was carried out from May 4, 2020 to June 4, 2020. The questionnaire was administered using REDCAP. The online questionnaire includes four sections. First section includes surgeon's demographics, background, type of clinical practice, and status of pandemic in their country. Second section includes volume and the type of spine surgery practice before the COVID pandemic. Third section includes changes of clinical practice during the pandemic and the last section was regarding their concern on COVID transmission.

    RESULTS: Total of 222 respondents from 19 countries completed the questionnaire. During the pandemic, 92.3% of the respondents felt their clinical practice was affected. 58.5% respondents reported reduced outpatient clinic hours and 74.6% respondents reported reduced operation theatre hours due to the enforcement by the hospital administration. The mean reduction of clinic volume for all countries was 48.1%. There was a significant reduction in the number of surgeries performed in Japan, Malaysia, India, Philippines, and South Korea. This was due to reduced patient load. More than 60% of respondents were worried being infected by COVID-19 virus and >68% were worried of transmission to their family members.

    CONCLUSION: COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the clinical and surgical practice of spine surgeons in the Asia Pacific region. Clinics were closed or the practice hours reduced. Similarly, surgical theaters were closed, reduced, or limited to semi-emergency and emergency surgeries. Spine surgeons were moderately concerned of contracting COVID-19 during their clinical practice but were extremely concerned to transmit this disease to their family members.

    LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

    Matched MeSH terms: Practice Patterns, Physicians'/statistics & numerical data
  3. Park SJ, Lee EJ, Lee TS, Wang KL, Okamoto A, Ochiai K, et al.
    Eur J Surg Oncol, 2021 05;47(5):1111-1116.
    PMID: 33303297 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejso.2020.11.012
    PURPOSE: We performed an E-survey to evaluate the practice patterns in debulking surgery for advanced ovarian cancer in Asia.

    METHODS: We designed a questionnaire, including 50 questions related to debulking surgery for advanced ovarian cancer. The questionnaire was sent to Gynecologic Oncologic Groups in Asia from December 2016 to February 2017.

    RESULTS: A total of 253 gynecologic oncologists from Japan (58.9%), the Republic of Korea (19%), Taiwan (12.6%), and the other counties including China (7.5%), Malaysia (0.8%), Indonesia (0.8%), and Thailand (0.4%) participated in this E-survey. The median number of debulking surgeries per year was 20, and 46.8% of the respondents preferred <1 cm as the criterion for optimal debulking surgery (ODS). The most common barrier and surgical finding precluding ODS were performance status (74.3%) and disease involving the porta hepatis (71.5%). Moreover, 63.2% had a fellowship program, and only 15% or less had opportunities to receive additional training courses in general, thoracic, or urologic surgery. The median percentage of patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) was 30%, and the achieved rate of ODS in primary debulking surgery (PDS) and interval debulking surgery (IDS) was 65% and 80%, respectively. Most of the respondents required three to 6 h for PDS (48.6%) and IDS (58.9%). Moreover, more than 50% depended on ultra-radical surgery conducted by specialists.

    CONCLUSIONS: The ODS criteria are relatively lenient with a preference for NAC in 30% of the respondents in Asia. This trend might be associated with the dependence on aggressive surgery performed by specialists.

    Matched MeSH terms: Practice Patterns, Physicians'/statistics & numerical data*
  4. Ng EK, Goh BL, Chew SE, Tan CC, Ching CH, Sha'ariah MY, et al.
    Semin Dial, 2012 Sep-Oct;25(5):569-73.
    PMID: 22353629 DOI: 10.1111/j.1525-139X.2012.01051.x
    The demands for timely catheter insertion have spurred the growth of peritoneoscopic catheter insertion program by nephrologists in Malaysia. We performed a multicenter analysis to study its impact on the growth of peritoneal dialysis (PD) population. Data were collected retrospectively from five centers at the point of program initiation until December 2009. In Center 1, with this program, PD population continued to grow from 25 patients in 2006 to 120 in 2009. In center 2, the program began in 2005, but comprised only 28.6% of total insertions. From 2007 onwards, nephrologists had overtaken the surgeon, inserting from 85% to 97% of the total insertions. In center 3, with the program at its infancy, a modest growth in its PD population was shown. In center 4, nephrologists maintained an annual average of 41.8% of total catheter insertions, and thus maintaining a stable PD population. In center 5, surgeon-assisted PD catheter insertions helped to maintain the growth of its PD, seeing lesser impact from this program. Subanalysis showed that 1-year catheter survival in Center 1 was 85.4%. This study on PD catheter insertion program by nephrologists showed the greatest impact on new center and center experiencing suboptimal catheter insertions by traditional providers.
    Matched MeSH terms: Practice Patterns, Physicians'/statistics & numerical data*
  5. Joginder Singh S, Chan MY, Ahmad Rusli Y
    Int J Speech Lang Pathol, 2016 12;18(6):560-570.
    PMID: 27063683
    PURPOSE: Children with speech and language delay/disorder (SLD) in the developing language stage (DLS) are one of the largest populations served by speech-language pathologists (SLPs) working in paediatric settings. The aim of this study was to investigate the practise patterns adopted by Malaysian SLPs when managing these children.

    METHOD: A web-based questionnaire was developed to obtain information about SLPs' practises during assessment, planning and treatment.

    RESULT: A total of 53 SLPs completed the questionnaire. When assessing the children, participants either always or usually involved parents, suggesting that they understood the importance of family involvement in services provided. When planning goals, the SLPs relied mostly on their clinical experience and less on research evidence. Participants reported that, most often, they employed a one-to-one approach when providing treatment. There was, however, great variation in the frequency of treatment provided, reflecting the different workplaces of participants.

    CONCLUSION: Generally, findings from this study indicated that some practises employed by Malaysian SLPs when managing children with SLD in the DLS are on par with the best practise guidelines, but there is still room for improvement in certain areas such as team collaboration and evidence-based practise. Clinical and research implications are discussed.

    Matched MeSH terms: Practice Patterns, Physicians'/statistics & numerical data*
  6. Ravindran J, Leow CH
    Med J Malaysia, 1996 Dec;51(4):409-14.
    PMID: 10968026
    This study aimed to look at the prevailing practice patterns of gynaecologists with regards to prophylactic oophorectomy and usage of hormone replacement therapy. Questionnaires were sent to the first 200 gynaecologists listed in the membership list of the Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society of Malaysia. The response rate was 30%. The results showed that most gynaecologists would perform prophylactic oophorectomy after the age of 49 years. The result was equivocal for the ages between 45 to 49 years. Of those who retained the ovaries at the age of 45 to the menopause, 55% did so because the ovaries were still functional. Almost all gynaecologists would prescribe hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after oophorectomy and the most commonly prescribed form was the oral type. Thirty-five per cent of gynaecologists claimed that more than 80% of their patients were compliant to HRT. The reasons perceived for the poor compliance were mainly poor knowledge and misconception.
    Matched MeSH terms: Practice Patterns, Physicians'/statistics & numerical data*
  7. Wong YY, Nordin M, Suleiman AB
    Int J Qual Health Care, 1995 Dec;7(4):333-41.
    PMID: 8820209 DOI: 10.1093/intqhc/7.4.333
    OBJECTIVE: This study examines the extent to which preventive and promotive advice is integrated into the clinical practice of doctors.
    STUDY DESIGN: Using a cross-sectional descriptive survey design, the study compares the performance of doctors in giving healthy lifestyle advice for five clinical conditions, their perceived practice and their rating on the importance of disseminating selected key lifestyle messages.
    DATA EXTRACTION METHODS: A total of 28 volunteers were trained to simulate the five clinical conditions which required related health advice and to rate the doctors' performance with the use of a prepared checklist. Simulated patient ratings of 343 doctor-patient encounters provided the data on doctors' health promotion efforts for the selected clinical conditions. A post-visit self-administered questionnaire survey of a sub-sample of 100 doctors gave an insight into their opinions and perceived practice.
    PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Only in 49% of the instances was a health promotion message given. The doctors' encouraging interest in health education and health promotion and their positive perceptions of their volume of healthy lifestyle counselling were not borne out in actual clinical practice.
    CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the extent of preventive and promotive health education in both the public and private health sectors is unacceptably low. The matter needs to be addressed through training programmes as well as the formulation of clear health promotion priorities and strategies in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Practice Patterns, Physicians'/statistics & numerical data*
  8. Majumder MAA, Singh K, Hilaire MG, Rahman S, Sa B, Haque M
    Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther, 2020 12;18(12):1245-1258.
    PMID: 32684048 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2020.1796638
    INTRODUCTION: Antimicrobial resistance poses a serious threat to global health with significantly higher morbidity, mortality, and economic burden. This review aims to discuss the importance of the promotion of antimicrobial stewardship in medical and allied health professional curricula and training/educating tomorrow's doctors in combatting antimicrobial resistance. A narrative literature review was conducted to retrieve relevant information related to antimicrobial resistance and stewardship and their implications on medical and allied health professional education and training from searches of computerized databases, hand searches, and authoritative texts.

    AREAS COVERED: Antimicrobial stewardship programs improve rational antibiotic use, reduce antimicrobial resistance, decrease complications of antibiotic use, and improve patient outcomes. Though health professional students recognize the importance and impact of antibiotic prescribing knowledge, many studies have consistently demonstrated low levels of confidence and competencies amongst students, highlighting that health professional schools failed to prepare them to prescribe antibiotics accurately.

    EXPERT OPINION: There is an urgent call for the integration of antimicrobial stewardship teaching at the undergraduate level of medical education to train future prescribers on this critical aspect of public health. Proper undergraduate education on rational antibiotics use would enable health professional graduates to enter clinical practice with adequate competencies to become rational prescribers.

    Matched MeSH terms: Practice Patterns, Physicians'/statistics & numerical data
  9. Saleem Z, Hassali MA, Hashmi FK, Godman B, Bhutta OA
    Hosp Pract (1995), 2019 Aug;47(3):149-154.
    PMID: 31180791 DOI: 10.1080/21548331.2019.1628614
    Background: The extensive use of broad-spectrum antimicrobials in immunocompromised patients is inevitable in situations where culture and sensitivity testing is challenging. However, their overuse leads to an increase in antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which is a growing concern. Method: A repeated point prevalence survey (PPS) was conducted to assess the pattern of antimicrobial prescribing in a specialized cancer care hospital in Pakistan using the methodology employed by the European Centre of Disease Prevention and Control. Results: Out of 313 hospitalized patients, 156 (49.8%) were prescribed one or more antimicrobials, 82 (50.9) in 2017 and 74 (48.7) in 2018. The average bed occupancy in the hospital was 80.3%. Fever in neutropenic patients (20.2%), lower respiratory tract infections (17.8%), and sepsis (14.9%) were the three most common clinical indications. The total number of prescribed antimicrobials was 242, of whom, 41 (16.9%) were given orally and 201 (83.1%) were given parenterally. The most commonly used antimicrobials were piperacillin plus enzyme inhibitor (31.8%), meropenem (7.9%), ceftriaxone (6.2%) and vancomycin (6.2%). Of the total prescribed antimicrobials, 42 (17.3%) antimicrobials were used in surgical departments, 89 (36.8) in adult medical departments, 73 (30.1%) in pediatric medical departments and 38 (15.7) in the intensive care unit (ICU). In addition to these antibacterials, there was relatively high use of antivirals (acyclovir; 4.1%) and antifungals (fluconazole; 3.7%, amphotericin B; 2.9%). Conclusion: The study concluded that broad-spectrum antimicrobial usage in cancer hospitals in Pakistan is high, which can be a risk factor for the emergence of AMR. Repeated PPS is a fruitful way to maintain a focus on inappropriate antimicrobial use and develop pertinent intervention programs targeteing specific issues to improve future use.
    Matched MeSH terms: Practice Patterns, Physicians'/statistics & numerical data
  10. Koh W, Chakravarthy M, Simon E, Rasiah R, Charuluxananan S, Kim TY, et al.
    BMC Anesthesiol, 2021 08 16;21(1):205.
    PMID: 34399681 DOI: 10.1186/s12871-021-01414-6
    BACKGROUND: Anesthesia leads to impairments in central and peripheral thermoregulatory responses. Inadvertent perioperative hypothermia is hence a common perioperative complication, and is associated with coagulopathy, increased surgical site infection, delayed drug metabolism, prolonged recovery, and shivering. However, surveys across the world have shown poor compliance to perioperative temperature management guidelines. Therefore, we evaluated the prevalent practices and attitudes to perioperative temperature management in the Asia-Pacific region, and determined the individual and institutional factors that lead to noncompliance.

    METHODS: A 40-question anonymous online questionnaire was distributed to anesthesiologists and anesthesia trainees in six countries in the Asia-Pacific (Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, India and South Korea). Participants were polled about their current practices in patient warming and temperature measurement across the preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative periods. Questions were also asked regarding various individual and environmental barriers to compliance.

    RESULTS: In total, 1154 valid survey responses were obtained and analyzed. 279 (24.2%) of respondents prewarm, 508 (44.0%) perform intraoperative active warming, and 486 (42.1%) perform postoperative active warming in the majority of patients. Additionally, 531 (46.0%) measure temperature preoperatively, 767 (67.5%) measure temperature intraoperatively during general anesthesia, and 953 (82.6%) measure temperature postoperatively in the majority of patients. The availability of active warming devices in the operating room (p 

    Matched MeSH terms: Practice Patterns, Physicians'/statistics & numerical data*
  11. Fatokun O
    Int J Clin Pharm, 2014 Jun;36(3):564-9.
    PMID: 24700341 DOI: 10.1007/s11096-014-9937-6
    BACKGROUND: In Malaysia, antibacterial agents are among the most utilized drugs. There has been an increase in their use in recent years, contributing to an increase of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

    OBJECTIVES: This study explores the pattern of antibiotic use and practices in a Malaysian community and identifies the variables associated with a likelihood of non-compliance with a course of antibiotic treatment.

    SETTING: The study was conducted in Cheras, a community located to the south-east of Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia.

    METHOD: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 250 individuals, using an interviewer-administered questionnaire in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

    MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Frequency of antibiotic use, sources of antibiotics, use of antibiotics without prescription, discontinuation of antibiotic treatment, antibiotic resistance awareness, handling of unused antibiotics, and association between respondents characteristics and compliance with a course of antibiotic treatment.

    RESULTS: Approximately 36 % of the participants (n = 91) had taken antibiotics in the year of the study. The majority (66.8 %) obtained antibiotics from clinics. Almost 80 % of the participants had never obtained antibiotics without a doctor's prescription. Nearly 55 % discontinued the course of antibiotics once symptoms disappeared. The most common method of disposing leftover antibiotics was throwing them into the household rubbish bin (78.8 %). Only 6.4 % of participants returned leftover antibiotics to the pharmacist or doctor. Univariate analysis revealed that male gender (p = 0.04), lack of knowledge of antibiotic functions (p < 0.0001), and lack of awareness of antibiotic resistance (p < 0.0001) were all significantly associated with a greater likelihood of non-compliance with a full course of prescribed antibiotic treatment.

    CONCLUSION: Most individuals in the Malaysian community obtained antibiotics through prescription. Non-completion of a course of antibiotic treatment and improper disposal of unused antibiotics need to be addressed to prevent AMR. Male gender, lack of knowledge and awareness of antibiotics and resistance were significantly associated with a greater likelihood of non-compliance with a full course of prescribed antibiotic treatment. Therefore, patient education and counselling about antibiotics and antibacterial resistance is very important to enhance compliance to antibiotic therapy.

    Matched MeSH terms: Practice Patterns, Physicians'/statistics & numerical data
  12. Lee SL, Azmi S, Wong PS
    Med J Malaysia, 2012 Apr;67(2):190-8.
    PMID: 22822642 MyJurnal
    A cross-sectional study was conducted to explore clincians' baseline knowledge, practice beliefs and acceptance of intravenous (IV)-to-oral antibiotic switching practice in Hospital Pulau Pinang. The factors most highly rated for antibiotic conversion were the ability to maintain oral intake (85.6%) and microbiology etiology (85.0%). Majority of the clinicians (76%) agreed with the traditional clinical rule that "patient should be afebrile for 24 hours before IV-to-oral switch". Specialists and consultants had the highest knowledge score among the clinicians. However, they were generally less positive about a guideline being integrated into practice.
    Matched MeSH terms: Practice Patterns, Physicians'/statistics & numerical data*
  13. Xiang YT, Kreyenbuhl J, Dickerson FB, Ungvari GS, Wang CY, Si TM, et al.
    Aust N Z J Psychiatry, 2012 Dec;46(12):1159-64.
    PMID: 22790175 DOI: 10.1177/0004867412453625
    This study examined the prescribing patterns of several first- (FGAs) and second-generation antipsychotic (SGAs) medications administered to older Asian patients with schizophrenia during the period between 2001 and 2009.
    Matched MeSH terms: Practice Patterns, Physicians'/statistics & numerical data*
  14. Dhabali AA, Awang R, Zyoud SH
    J Clin Pharm Ther, 2012 Aug;37(4):426-30.
    PMID: 22081958 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2710.2011.01314.x
    WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) cause considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide and may lead to hospital admission. Sophisticated computerized drug information and monitoring systems, more recently established in many of the emerging economies, including Malaysia, are capturing useful information on prescribing. Our aim is to report on an investigation of potentially serious DDIs, using a university primary care-based system capturing prescription records from its primary care services.
    METHODS: We retrospectively collected data from two academic years over 20 months from computerized databases at the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) from users of the USM primary care services.
    RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Three hundred and eighty-six DDI events were observed in a cohort of 208 exposed patients from a total of 23,733 patients, representing a 2-year period prevalence of 876·4 per 100,000 patients. Of the 208 exposed patients, 138 (66·3%) were exposed to one DDI event, 29 (13·9%) to two DDI events, 15 (7·2%) to three DDI events, 6 (2·9%) to four DDI events and 20 (9·6%) to more than five DDI events. Overall, an increasing mean number of episodes of DDIs was noted among exposed patients within the age category ≥70 years (P=0·01), an increasing trend in the number of medications prescribed (P<0·001) and an increasing trend in the number of long-term therapeutic groups (P<0·001).
    WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: We describe the prevalence of clinically important DDIs in an emerging economy setting and identify the more common potentially serious DDIs. In line with the observations in developed economies, a higher number of episodes of DDIs were seen in patients aged ≥70 years and with more medications prescribed. The easiest method to reduce the frequency of DDIs is to reduce the number of medications prescribed. Therapeutic alternatives should be selected cautiously.

    Study site: e Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM
    Matched MeSH terms: Practice Patterns, Physicians'/statistics & numerical data
  15. Juliana H, Lim TA, Inbasegaran K
    Med J Malaysia, 2003 Mar;58(1):5-16.
    PMID: 14556321
    Routine ordering of pre-operative investigations yields a low true positive rate and is not cost effective. In this study, case notes of 251 adults who underwent elective surgery were reviewed. Pre-operative investigations were classified as 'indicated' or 'not indicated', based on the national guidelines. Only 56% of all tests done were indicated. The overall rates of expected and unexpected abnormal values from pre-operative blood investigations were 51.1% and 34.4% respectively. This study found that selective testing based on guidelines was beneficial. However, the results also suggest that the local guidelines need to be reviewed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Practice Patterns, Physicians'/statistics & numerical data
  16. Chan PWK, Norzila MZ
    Med J Malaysia, 2003 Oct;58(4):475-81.
    PMID: 15190621
    The treatment preferences of 109 general practitioners (GPs) for childhood asthma were determined. Availability and adherence to clinical practice guidelines (CPG) for the treatment of childhood asthma was also assessed. Ninety eight (90%), 60 (55%) and 33 (30%) GPs considered nocturnal symptoms > 2 times/week, exercise induced wheeze and cough respectively as indications for preventer therapy. An oral preparation was preferred for relief medication [72 (66%) for 2-5 years, 60 (55%) for > 5 years]. An inhaled preparation was however preferred for preventer medication [60 (55%) for 2-5 years, 85 (78%) for > 5 years]. The oral form was more likely prescribed for asthmatic children 2-5 years (p < 0.001). Corticosteroids and ketotifen were the commonest inhaled and oral preventer treatment prescribed respectively. Only 36(33%) GPs have a CPG copy for reference. Children with asthma symptoms that require preventer therapy may not always be identified in general practice. The oral route remains important for asthma medication especially in young children. The accessibility to the CPG among GPs is disappointing.
    Study site: General practitioners attending a pharmaceutical industry sponsored asthma management workshop
    Matched MeSH terms: Practice Patterns, Physicians'/statistics & numerical data*
  17. Fauzi ARM
    Med J Malaysia, 2003 Jun;58(2):205-12.
    PMID: 14569740 MyJurnal
    This study was done to ascertain the knowledge and practice of medical officers on spirometry and management of COPD in a medical department of a state hospital. A total of 81 questionnaires with nine items were distributed to medical officers in the medical department (MD) and in other departments (controls). Eight incomplete questionnaires were rejected. In all 15 (21%) respondents were analysed from MD and 58 (79%) from the control group. The respondents from MD were aware that spirometry was important in COPD (100% versus 69%, P < 0.01) but in practice both groups were as likely to use peak expiratory flow rate. Respondents from MD were more likely to treat mild COPD (73% versus 12%, P < 0.001) according to Malaysian Thoracic Society COPD guidelines and also more likely to perform steroid trial (93% versus 37%, P < 0.001). Only 9 (60%) from MD and 33(57%) would refer patients for home oxygen assessment. This preliminary survey suggests that there was lack of translation of knowledge into practice particularly in terms of use of spirometry in COPD as well as lack of awareness for home oxygen assessment. A bigger survey involving all doctors in the state to answer issues raised in this preliminary survey is being conducted.
    Matched MeSH terms: Practice Patterns, Physicians'/statistics & numerical data*
  18. Dong M, Zeng LN, Zhang Q, Yang SY, Chen LY, Najoan E, et al.
    Asian J Psychiatr, 2019 Oct;45:74-80.
    PMID: 31520884 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2019.08.010
    OBJECTIVE: Regular surveys are important to monitor the use of psychotropic medications in clinical practice. This study examined the psychotropic prescription patterns in adult Asian schizophrenia patients based on the data of the Research on Asian Psychotropic Prescription (REAP) 2016 survey.

    METHODS: This cross-sectional survey across 15 Asian countries/territories collected socio-demographic and clinical data with standardized procedures between March and May 2016. The socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were recorded with a standardized questionnaire.

    RESULTS: Altogether 3,537 adult patients with schizophrenia were consecutively screened and enrolled in the survey. The mean age was 38.66 ± 11.55 years and 59.7% of the sample were male. The mean dose of antipsychotics in chlorpromazine equivalents (CPZeq) was 424 ± 376 mg/day; 31.3% and 80.8% received first- and second- generation antipsychotics, respectively and 42.6% had antipsychotic polypharmacy, 11.7% had antidepressants, 13.7% had mood stabilizers, 27.8% had benzodiazepines, and 45.6% had anticholinergics.

    CONCLUSIONS: Psychotropic prescription patterns in Asian adult patients with schizophrenia varied across countries. Regular surveys on psychotropic medications for schizophrenia are important to monitor pharmacotherapy practice in Asia.

    Matched MeSH terms: Practice Patterns, Physicians'/statistics & numerical data*
  19. Saboor M, Momtaz YA, Kamrani AA, Sahaf R
    Med Glas (Zenica), 2019 Feb 01;16(1):115-120.
    PMID: 30680985 DOI: 10.17392/986-19
    Aim To assess prescription pattern among Iranian communitydwelling older adults. Methods This cross-sectional study employed a cluster random sampling to obtain a sample of 1591 patients aged 60 years and over referred to pharmacies in Tehran, 2017. Data were collected using a questionnaire: socio-demographic characteristics, type of pharmacy visited, the municipal district, the university covering the pharmacy, the number and names of prescribed drugs, drug category, type of insurances and physician's socio-demographic profile (age, gender, type of specialization, and work experience). Results The mean age of the patients was 70.51±7.84. A total of 5838 drugs were prescribed, giving an average of 3.73±2.24 drugs per patient (ranging of 1-15). Polypharmacy was noticed in 32.4% patients. Cardiovascular drugs accounted for 20.8% of the prescriptions, antidiabetics 8.8%, nutritional agents and vitamins 7.6%, and analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs and antipyretics accounted for 7.5%. Conclusion Developing educational programs on geriatric pharmacology general practitioners and more supervision among community-dwelling older adults might have effects on prescription pattern. There is a need for prescriber training and retraining with emphasis on the geriatric population.
    Matched MeSH terms: Practice Patterns, Physicians'/statistics & numerical data*
  20. Kruger D, Dlamini NN, Meyer JC, Godman B, Kurdi A, Lennon M, et al.
    Hosp Pract (1995), 2021 Aug;49(3):184-193.
    PMID: 33566710 DOI: 10.1080/21548331.2021.1889213
    OBJECTIVE: Determining antimicrobial utilization patterns in hospitals can be a challenge given personnel and resource constraints with paper-based systems. A web-based application (APP) was developed in South Africa to address this, building on a recent point prevalence survey (PPS) using a paper-based system. Consequently, there was a need to test and evaluate the ease of use of a newly developed app and potential time saving versus paper-based methods for PPS. The findings can be used to further refine the APP.

    METHODS: The developed app was tested in a large academic public hospital in a PPS in South Africa. During data collection, the app was evaluated for functionality on 35 variables and subsequently refined. After data collection, the app was evaluated in terms of its time-saving potential and ease of use.

    RESULTS: 181 patient's files were surveyed across 13 wards in the hospital, with the antimicrobial usage findings similar to the previous paper-based study in the same hospital. The median age for males was 45.5 years and 42 years for females. Overall 80 out of 181 (44%) patients received antibiotics. Whilst 38% (12 out of 31) of patients in the adult surgical ward received antimicrobials, the prevalence was the highest (78%) in the pediatric medical wards. All the data collectors were confident in using the app after training and found the tool is not complex at all to use. In addition, the time taken to plan for the study and to collect data was considerably reduced. Reduced time spent in data collection and analysis is important for timely instigation of quality improvement programs in resource limited settings.

    CONCLUSIONS: All data collectors would recommend the app for future PPSs. Several concerns with data entry were identified, which have now been addressed. The app development has been successful and is now being deployed across South Africa as part of a national PPS as well as wider.

    Matched MeSH terms: Practice Patterns, Physicians'/statistics & numerical data*
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