Search Results (237)

Background: Pharmacy technicians are increasingly involved in immunization services, enhancing vaccine accessibility and reducing pharmacies’ workload. This scoping review aims to (1) provide a comprehensive overview of pharmacy technicians’ involvement in immunization services across various healthcare settings and countries, and (2) conduct a comparative analysis of training curricula for pharmacy technicians on immunization. Methods: A scoping review was conducted following the Arksey and O’Malley framework. A comprehensive search of the PubMed and Scopus databases was performed using keywords and MeSH terms such as “pharmacy technician(s)”, “immunization”, “vaccination”, “role”, and “involvement”. Studies included assessed pharmacy technicians’ roles in vaccine administration, training, and public health outcomes. Descriptive and thematic analyses were used to synthesize the findings. In addition, a supplementary analysis of immunization training curricula was conducted, reviewing programs from different countries to identify similarities, differences, and gaps in course structure, content, and delivery formats. Lastly, a comprehensive toolkit was developed, offering guidelines intended to facilitate the implementation of immunization training programs. Results: A total of 35 articles met the inclusion criteria, primarily from the United States of America (n = 30), Canada (n = 2), Ethiopia (n = 1), Denmark (n = 1) and United Kingdom (n = 1). The findings indicate that pharmacy technicians contribute significantly to vaccine administration, patient education, and workflow optimization, particularly in community pharmacies. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated their involvement in immunization programs. Key challenges include regulatory barriers, a lack of standardized training, and resistance from other healthcare professionals. Facilitators include legislative support (e.g., the PREP Act), structured training programs, and collaborative pharmacist–technician models. Conclusions: Pharmacy technicians can play a vital role in expanding immunization services, improving vaccine uptake, and reducing pharmacist workload. Addressing regulatory inconsistencies, enhancing training, and fostering interprofessional collaboration are crucial for their effective integration of immunization programs. Since immunization by pharmacy technicians is not yet allowed in many EU countries, this review will provide a foundational basis to address their potential to support the healthcare workforce and improve access to immunization services. Full article

Medical education is the paradigm of 21st century education and the current changes involve the adoption of integrative and comprehensive patient-centered teaching and learning approaches. Thus, curricular developers from George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences, and Technology of Targu Mures (G.E. Palade UMPhST of Targu Mures) have recently designed and implemented an innovative medical curriculum, as well as two valuable assessment tools for both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Thus, during the first three preclinical years, the students will benefit from an organ- and system-centered block teaching approach, while the clinical years will focus on enabling students to achieve the most important practical skills in clinical practice, based on a patient bedside teaching system. In terms of theoretical knowledge assessment, the UNiX center at G.E. Palade UMPhST of Targu Mures, a recently designed center endowed with the latest next-generation technology, enables individualized, secured multiple-choice question-based assessments of the student’s learning outcomes. Moreover, an intelligent assessment tool for practical skills was also recently implemented in our branch in Hamburg, the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (O.S.C.E). This system uses direct observations for testing the student’s practical skills regarding anamnesis, clinical exams, procedures/maneuvers, the interpretation of laboratory tests and paraclinical investigations, differential diagnosis, management plans, communication, and medical counselling. The integrative, comprehensive, patient-centered curriculum and the intelligent assessment system, implemented in G.E Palade UMPhST of Targu Mures, help define innovation in education and enable the students to benefit from a high-quality medical education. Full article

A total of 38% of Americans do not meet the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for calcium including those at risk for osteoporosis. To increase the percentage of patients at risk for osteoporosis who achieve goal calcium RDA intake, a collaborative specialty pharmacy-registered dietitian-nutritionist (RDN) quality improvement program was developed. Patients aged 18 to 90 years old receiving osteoporosis therapy (denosumab, teriparatide, zoledronic acid) or medications that increase bone loss (elagolix, oral prednisone) were provided with a structured assessment and educational intervention. Daily calcium intake included patient self-reported dietary intake plus supplement use. Written and verbal education on increasing dietary intake based on patient preferences was provided with 5 calcium-rich food-source store coupons. Recommendations for supplement selection (citrate vs. carbonate) and/or medication-related problem resolution were provided. Follow-up occurred at 3–6 months. Fifty patients enrolled [94% female, mean age 66.6 years (SD 15.3)] were taking denosumab (36), teriparatide (1), zoledronic acid (1), elagolix (7) and prednisone (5). The mean baseline daily dietary calcium intake was 500 mg (SD 247) with none achieving goal intake with diet alone. Average calcium supplement use in 22 (44%) patients was 686 mg daily (SD 284). At baseline, 17 (34%) met goal daily calcium intake compared to 30 (60%) at post intervention follow-up (p = 0.009). Over half of the store coupons were redeemed. A specialty pharmacy-RDN customized intervention program provides a model for aiding patients to modify calcium intake. Full article

Background: This study investigated the prevalence and predictors of burnout among medical students at “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galați, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy. Methods: Burnout was measured using the School Burnout Inventory-U 9 (SBI-U 9), and potential predictors, including social media addiction (Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale—BSMAS), procrastination, age, gender, year of study, admission grade, last annual grade, hobbies, achievements, close friends, and relationship status, were assessed using appropriate instruments. Correlation and hierarchical multiple regression analyses identified predictors of burnout. Mediation analysis tested procrastination as a mediator between BSMAS and burnout, while moderation analysis examined whether procrastination moderated this relationship. Results: Social media addiction was an independent predictor of burnout. While younger age was correlated with higher burnout, it was not a significant predictor in the multivariate model. Procrastination did not significantly mediate the link between social media addiction and burnout but significantly moderated it. The effect of social media addiction on burnout was stronger for students with lower levels of procrastination. Conclusions: The study shows increased susceptibility to burnout among younger students and identifies social media addiction as a key risk factor. Procrastination moderates this relationship, indicating the need for interventions targeting both digital habits and time management in medical education. Full article

Background and Objectives: Early detection of cognitive decline (CD) is crucial for managing dementia risk factors and preventing disease progression. This study pursues two main objectives: (1) to review existing cognitive screening practices implemented in community pharmacy settings and (2) to characterize the cognitive profile of individuals eligible for screening in this context. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in two phases. First, a scoping review of cognitive screening tools used in community pharmacies was carried out following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Second, a cross-sectional study was performed to design and implement a CD screening protocol, assessing cognitive function. Data collection included demographic and clinical variables commonly associated with dementia risk. Decision tree analysis was applied to identify key variables contributing to the cognitive profile of patients eligible for screening. Results: The scoping review revealed that screening approaches differed by country and population, with limited pharmacy involvement suggesting implementation barriers. Cognitive screening was conducted in 18 pharmacies in Valencia, Spain (1.45%), involving 286 regular users reporting Subjective Memory Complaints (SMC). The average age of participants was 71 years, and 74.8% were women. According to the unbiased Gini impurity index, the most relevant predictors of CD—based on the corrected mean decrease in corrected impurity (MDcI), a bias-adjusted measure of variable importance—were age (MDcI: 2.60), internet and social media use (MDcI: 2.43), sleep patterns (MDcI: 1.83), and educational attainment (MDcI: 0.96). Simple decision trees can reduce the need for full screening by 53.6% while maintaining an average sensitivity of 0.707. These factors are essential for defining the profile of individuals who would benefit most from CD screening services. Conclusions: Community pharmacy-based detection of CD shows potential, though its implementation remains limited by issues of consistency and feasibility. Enhancing early dementia detection in primary care settings may be achieved by prioritizing individuals with limited internet and social media use, irregular sleep patterns, and lower education levels. Targeting these groups could significantly improve the effectiveness of CD screening programs. Full article

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents a critical global health threat, with inappropriate antibiotic self-medication (ASM) being a key contributor. China—as the world’s largest antibiotic consumer—faces significant challenges despite regulatory efforts, compounded by limited contemporary data during the COVID-19 pandemic. A nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted using the 2021 China Family Health Index Survey (n = 11,031 participants across 120 cities). Trained investigators administered face-to-face questionnaires assessing ASM practices, decision-making factors, and sociodemographic characteristics. Multivariate logistic regression identified determinants of ASM. Overall, ASM prevalence was 33.7% (n = 3717), with no urban-rural difference (p > 0.05). Physician advice (78.2%), drug safety (67.1%), and efficacy (64.2%) were primary selection criteria; rural residents prioritized drug price and salesperson recommendations more than their urban counterparts (p < 0.01). Key predictors included higher ASM odds among females (OR = 1.30, 95%CI:1.18–1.43), middle-aged adults (46–59 years; OR = 1.20, 95%CI:1.02–1.42), those with health insurance (resident: OR = 1.33; commercial: OR = 1.62), and individuals with drinking histories (OR = 1.20, 95%CI:1.10–1.31). Lower odds were associated with primary education (OR = 0.69, 95%CI:0.58–0.81), unemployment (OR = 0.88, 95%CI:0.79–0.98), and absence of chronic diseases (OR = 0.56, 95%CI:0.47–0.67). One-third of Chinese residents engaged in ASM during the pandemic, driven by intersecting demographic and behavioral factors. Despite converging urban-rural prevalence rates, distinct decision-making drivers necessitate context-specific interventions, including strengthened pharmacy regulation in rural areas, tailored education programs for high-risk groups, and insurance system reforms to disincentivize self-medication. Full article

Maternal mortality and morbidity are critical health challenges in the U.S., and building the perinatal workforce is a key to providing high-quality maternal medical care and services. Texas Southern University (TSU), home to a Doctor of Pharmacy program, launched the first Maternal Health Education and Research Training (MHERT) program to educate a cohort of high school, pharmacy, and health sciences students. Aiming to raise awareness of maternal health issues, build research skills, and promote action-based solutions. MHERT integrated online self-paced interactive lessons with hands-on research or community projects. Topics included maternal health epidemiology, causes of morbidity and mortality, research methods, literature reviews, and the development of action plans addressing maternal health challenges. Assessment tools included quizzes, open-ended reflection responses, training surveys, and course evaluations. Running from 3 June to 26 July 2024, the program enrolled 22 students. All participants completed both course components. Course evaluations showed strong and consistent satisfaction with the program, with teaching effectiveness rated at 95% and 96% for mid-program and final evaluations, respectively. MHERT enhanced participants’ understanding of maternal health, improved research skills, and encouraged community engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration. It offers a scalable model to strengthen public health education among high school, pharmacy, and health sciences students. Full article

Background: Due to their participation in patient care, pharmacists frequently face various ethical decisions that must be made. Every day, pharmacists encounter ethical challenges in any pharmaceutical workplace. This study aims to assess the attitude and awareness among pharmacy students and pharmacists regarding general and professional ethics. Methods: This study was cross-sectional, using an interview-based questionnaire. Pharmacy students from Yarmouk University volunteered to approach other pharmacy students and pharmacists to complete the questionnaire using a convenient sampling method. Results: A total of 1737 pharmacy students and pharmacists participated in this study. Among the 691 participants who are currently practicing pharmacists, 549 (79.4%) reported working in a community pharmacy. About half of the pharmacy students (53.6%) had studied a course in ethics, while 110 (15.9%) of the pharmacists had not. While students and pharmacists have shown significantly different attitudes, less than 20% of the participants demonstrated a high level of awareness regarding the pharmacy code of ethics. On the other hand, more than 60% of pharmacy students and practicing pharmacists concurred that they might permit others to carry out the duties of a pharmacist. Surprisingly, the data revealed that student pharmacists performed better than practicing pharmacists, highlighting that students appreciate the principles of professionalism and that exposure to a work environment can help modulate negative behavior and beliefs. Conclusions: These findings underscore the need for ongoing ethical education and training for both pharmacy students and practicing pharmacists to ensure that everyone in the field upholds a high standard of moral behavior in patient care. Full article

Background/Objectives: The integration of digital technologies into dental education is becoming increasingly important, particularly in prosthodontics, where digital design tools offer enhanced precision and efficiency. This study aimed to evaluate second-year dental students’ perceptions regarding conventional versus digital design in prosthodontics, assessing their theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and attitudes toward these approaches. Methods: A total of 141 dental students enrolled in Faculty of Dentistry from “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania, participated in an online survey consisting of 19 questions evaluating their understanding, preferences, attitudes, and expectations regarding digital and conventional prosthodontic workflows. Additionally, students’ practical exam grades and task completion times for both conventional and digital design methods were evaluated. Results: Participating students reported sufficient understanding of theoretical concepts in both conventional (92.9%) and digital design (91.5%). A significant proportion (78.7%) felt confident in their practical skills for conventional design, while 78% expressed the same for digital design. Statistically significant correlations indicated that students who believed digital design could replace conventional methods associated digital design with greater accuracy (p = 0.020), predictability (p = 0.048), and sustainability (p = 0.032). Students who believed they had acquired enough skills in digital design responded more frequently that the time allocation for digital design by the university was sufficient (p < 0.001). Moreover, students scored significantly higher in digital design practical exams compared to conventional design (p < 0.001). Task completion times were also shorter for digital workflows, further supporting their efficiency. Conclusions: The findings suggest that students are highly receptive to digital technologies in prosthodontics, favoring digital workflows over conventional techniques. These results highlight the need for continued integration of digital tools into dental curricula to enhance students’ competency and prepare them for modern clinical practice. Full article

Background: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming healthcare education, offering innovative tools to enhance learning and clinical decision-making. AI-driven platforms like ChatGPT are increasingly integrated into pharmacy education, enabling students to access vast medical knowledge, refine decision-making skills, and simulate clinical scenarios. Objective: This study examines pharmacy students’ attitudes, knowledge, and practices regarding ChatGPT’s use in clinical decision-making, evaluates its perceived benefits and limitations, and identifies factors influencing AI integration in pharmacy education. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 512 pharmacy students at King Khalid University. A structured questionnaire assessed demographics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Data were analyzed using SPSS, employing descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression. Results: The majority (82.4%) supported AI integration in pharmacy education, while 74.6% believed that ChatGPT could enhance clinical decision-making. Primary applications included drug information retrieval (72.3%) and exam preparation (66.7%). However, concerns about AI accuracy (55.2%) and ethical implications were noted. Conclusions: Pharmacy students at King Khalid University exhibit positive attitudes toward AI, recognizing its educational benefits while acknowledging challenges. Addressing accuracy concerns and ethical considerations through structured AI training programs is essential to optimize AI’s role in pharmacy education and practice. Full article

(1) Background: Structured use of feedback and self-reflection in simulated counselling sessions has a number of benefits, including identification of strategies for improvement, improvement in key skills and adaptability and a patient-centred approach which will help them to succeed as effective healthcare practitioners. The aim of this study was therefore to explore students’ perceptions of self-reflection and feedback in patient counselling simulations and the development of patient counselling skills; (2) Methods: Focus groups explored student perceptions of how the combination of self-reflection, self-assessment and teacher and peer feedback impacted their performance in simulated patient counselling assessments; (3) Results: Four focus groups with 21 pharmacy students were conducted. We identified three main themes and associated subthemes: consistency and continuity (sub-themes learning through repetitive assessment and inconsistent expectations), perceptions of feedback (sub-themes tutor feedback, peer feedback and self-reflection) and real-life practice (sub-themes authenticity of simulation cases, perceptions of empathy and professional development); (4) Conclusions: This study highlights the critical role of integrating consistent, high-quality feedback, peer assessment, and self-reflection in pharmacy education to enhance students’ learning experiences and prepare them for professional practice. As workplace-based assessment becomes more common and expected by accreditation bodies, these insights underscore the need for structured and continuous feedback processes to be integrated into all areas of pharmacy curricula. Full article

The objective was to evaluate the growth in pharmacy student performance in entrustable professional activity (EPA) assessments across the experiential curriculum based on preceptor assessments on an entrustment–supervision (ES) scale. This retrospective cohort study used assessments based on the 2016 American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Core EPAs and an expanded ES scale during introductory and advanced pharmacy practice experiences (IPPEs/APPEs) in the third and fourth professional years from fall 2020 to fall 2023. The primary outcome was the change in ES level, assessed by preceptors over time. The secondary outcomes were growth rates across types of experiences, training environments, and experience order. A conditional growth curve model and ordinal mixed effects model were used to demonstrate discrete entrustment decisions. A total of 509 students received 12,426 assessments by 557 preceptors. Raw ES levels and unconditional growth curves for EPA show increases in entrustability from years P3 to P4. Comparing care settings, there was lower entrustment in inpatient than outpatient settings and at academic medical centers than other settings. There were no significant differences in ES levels regardless of which IPPE was taken first. However, when the first APPE was an inpatient medicine experience, ES levels across APPEs for EPA 3 were higher when compared to ambulatory care as the first APPE, and they were higher for EPA 5 when compared to community pharmacy as the first APPE. Paired with ES scales, EPAs can be integrated into pharmacy experiential curricula to demonstrate longitudinal growth in student entrustment. Full article

The study aimed to investigate the determinants of pharmacy postgraduates’ satisfaction to suggest essential recommendations to enhance educational quality at Hanoi University of Pharmacy in Vietnam. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 202 postgraduates using structured questionnaires, with 31 multidimensional questions and 1 question addressing overall satisfaction. Cronbach’s alpha was used to evaluate the questionnaire’s internal consistency, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) identified key factors, and multiple linear regression analysis was applied to assess the impact of these factors. Overall satisfaction had a high mean score of 4.49 out of 5 (SD = 0.602). The final 29 questions were retained and divided into four main factors affecting satisfaction after rotating EFA. The dimension of “Support and Evaluation” was the most influential factor (β = 0.475), followed by “Training Organization”, “Facilities and Library”, and “Lecturers and Curriculum”. The variables with the lowest scores needed much more attention, including digital systems (4.2, SD = 0.852), information technology support (4.32, SD = 0.772), activities boosting lifelong learning skills (4.48, SD = 0.624), and the reasonability of the education program’s structure (4.48, SD = 0.608) and the studying program’s schedule (4.45, SD = 0.607). The findings indicate the issues that should be addressed, and have highlighted that improvements in electronic library accessibility and updated curricula are also recommended to further optimize the educational experience of postgraduate students. Full article

Background/Objectives: Education on antibiotic use has the potential to positively shape the practices and perspectives of future professionals. Assessing awareness levels of antibiotic resistance among university students is, therefore, critical, as they represent a vital demographic capable of influencing public health outcomes, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Methods: This cross-sectional study employed the World Health Organization’s Antibiotic Resistance: Multi-Country Public Awareness Survey, which examines demographics, antibiotic use, knowledge, perspectives, and sources of information. A total of 922 surveys were collected from students across various disciplines at two universities in Greater Guayaquil. Results: Most participants reported obtaining antibiotics through healthcare professionals, adhering to proper usage instructions, and purchasing them primarily from pharmacies. However, only 56% of the responses were correct, with many students incorrectly associating antibiotic use with conditions where they are typically ineffective. Despite these gaps, the students expressed positive attitudes toward proposed measures to address antibiotic resistance. While the participants demonstrated familiarity with terms related to antibiotic resistance and identified doctors and educators as their main sources of information, educational campaigns were not widely recognized as important. Conclusions: These findings evidence knowledge gaps among an essential group, suggesting the need for targeted health programs, preventive strategies, and educational initiatives to combat misinformation regarding antimicrobial resistance. Full article

Background: Saudi Arabia is undertaking a comprehensive reform of its healthcare system to improve the efficiency and accessibility of public healthcare services. A key aspect of this initiative is outsourcing outpatient pharmacy services within the public health sector to retail pharmacies through an electronic prescribing platform known as Wasfaty. The National Unified Procurement Company (NUPCO) manages this platform to ensure spending efficiency and patient accessibility to essential medications. However, there has been a lack of research evaluating the adherence of the Wasfaty e-prescribing platform to established best practices for Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE), which are commonly used to assess the performance of various ambulatory e-prescribing systems globally. Objective: This study aimed to assess the level of adherence of Wasfaty to best practices for CPOE. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional single-center study reviewed filled prescriptions through Wasfaty from May 2022 to December 2023. A list of 60 functional features, including but not limited to patient identification and data access, medication selection, alerts, patient education, data transmission and storage, monitoring and renewals, transparency and accountability, and feedback, was utilized to evaluate adherence. The adherence level was categorized into four groups: fully implemented, partially implemented, not implemented, and not applicable. Two pharmacy interns, a clinical pharmacist, and a researcher, reviewed the prescriptions to determine the platform’s adherence to these 60 CPOE features. Results: From May 2022 to December 2023, a total of 1965 prescriptions were filled in retail pharmacies for out-of-stock medications for 1367 patients. These prescriptions included medications for various areas, with the following distribution: gastroenterology (44.10%), cardiology (18.14%), anti-infectives (2.42%), urology (8.85%), dermatology (3.6%), hematology (0.29%), muscle relaxants (0.8%), neurology (19.17%), pulmonology (1.46%), and other categories (1.23%). Of the 60 functional characteristics a CPOE platform should include, only 19 (31.66%) were fully implemented, while 10 (16.66%) were partially implemented. Conclusions: The Wasfaty platform is deficient in several key functional features necessary for e-prescribing, which are essential for ensuring patient safety and enhancing the satisfaction of both prescribers and patients. This study underscores the importance of improving the Wasfaty platform to reduce the risk of adverse drug events. Full article