Search Results (560)

Background: Inappropriate antibiotic use in companion animals contributes to antimicrobial resistance within the One Health context. Educational interventions targeting non-health companion animal owners, particularly undergraduate students who frequently make day-to-day animal care decisions, have remained limited. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted among undergraduate students who owned companion animals in Maha Sarakham Province, Thailand. Participants were randomly assigned to a research group (n = 31) or a control group (n = 33). The research group received pharmacy-led digital educational materials, including videos and posters, delivered via an online platform over three consecutive days, while the control group received no educational materials. Antibiotic knowledge was assessed using a structured questionnaire before and after the intervention in both groups. Confidence in rational antibiotic use and satisfaction with the educational materials were assessed in the research group. Nonparametric statistical tests were applied for within- and between-group comparisons. Results: Baseline characteristics and antibiotic knowledge scores were comparable between groups. After the intervention, the research group demonstrated significantly higher antibiotic knowledge scores than the control group (9.58 ± 0.76 vs. 7.82 ± 1.31; p < 0.001). The mean improvement in knowledge score was greater in the research group (Δ = 1.55 vs. 0.09; p < 0.001). Confidence in rational antibiotic use increased significantly following the intervention (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Pharmacy-led digital education improved antibiotic knowledge and confidence among undergraduate companion animal owners, supporting the role of pharmacists in antimicrobial stewardship within a One Health framework. Full article

Introduction: Nasal colonization plays a pivotal role in Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriage and transmission, especially in healthcare settings. Asymptomatic carriers amongst healthcare workers (HCWs) may serve as an important source for inner-hospital transmission, besides personal increased risks of endogenous infections. Medical students are an often-overlooked part of medical staff which, while not typically included in statistics concerning HCWs, are associated with increased patient contact and exposure to healthcare-associated pathogens. This study aimed to assess MRSA carriage rate amongst clinical-year medical students in the largest Romanian medical university, in addition to identifying potential risk factors. Nonetheless, a methodological aim was incorporated, in order to evaluate the effect of nasal swab pre-moistening with sterile saline on MRSA retrieval rate. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among clinical-year students from the ‘Carol Davila’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest, Romania. Participants completed a survey regarding potential risk factors and underwent nasal swab sampling, being randomly assigned to the two swab collection methods—dry swab or pre-moistened swab with sterile saline, randomization ensuring comparable baseline characteristics. Samples were inoculated on chromogenic MRSA agar media and incubated for 24–48 h at 35–37 °C. Isolates exhibiting characteristic growth further underwent coagulase testing, bacterial identification and methicillin resistance confirmation. Results: The study comprised 156 medical students, with an overall prevalence of asymptomatic MRSA nasal carriage of 5.76% (n = 9, 95% CI: 3.05–10.58%). No statistically significant associations were identified between MRSA carriage and hospital exposure. The prevalence of MRSA positive cultures was 5.00% (n = 4/80) among the conventional dry swab sampling subgroup, while the subgroup undergoing pre-moistened swab collection presented a 6.57% prevalence (n = 5/76), revealing no statistical significance (p = 0.74). Conclusions: Asymptomatic MRSA carriage among medical students in this cohort suggests the potential role of this population in intra-hospital transmission. In addition, pre-moistening the nasal swab for collection of the sample showed no statistically significant impact on MRSA recovery rates, correlating with existing literature on the topic. These findings further emphasize the need for strict adherence to infection prevention and control measures in hospitals. Full article

Background: The rigor of the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) curricula is reflected in its math- and science-heavy prerequisite requirements. As such, it is critical to evaluate whether students perceive high school coursework and experiences as adequate preparation for PharmD programs. Methods: Pre-professional and professional PharmD students from three institutions completed a survey assessing satisfaction with high school preparation, including math and science education, skill development, and exposure to pharmacy-related experiences. Results: A total of 148 responses were analyzed; 72% identified as female and 81% as White (non-Hispanic/Latino). Most respondents reported satisfaction with their high school math (80.4%) and science (82.4%) education, and 73.7% felt academically prepared for pharmacy school. Additionally, 79.8% were satisfied with skills gained in high school. Experiences such as attending pharmacy-related events (81.1%), contact with healthcare professionals (87.8%), and prior employment (85.2%) were widely viewed as beneficial. Students highlighted communication, problem-solving, and time management as key skills developed. However, gaps were noted in study strategies, presentation abilities, and time management. Conclusions: Students generally felt well-prepared academically and skill-wise for PharmD programs. Expanding pharmacy-related exposure and targeted skill development opportunities in high school may further enhance readiness for future pharmacy students. Full article

Background/Objectives: Early identification of breast cancer patients who are likely or unlikely to benefit from neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) remains clinically important because ineffective treatment may delay definitive surgery and expose patients to unnecessary toxicity. Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) radiomics offers a contrast-free and repeatable method for extracting tissue-sensitive imaging biomarkers from raw ultrasound data. This study aimed to evaluate whether baseline QUS radiomic features and early treatment-induced changes could predict a pathologic response to NAC in a real-world single-center cohort. Methods: We designed a prospective observational study including 96 consecutive women with biopsy-proven stage II–III breast cancer treated with NAC at Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara. All patients underwent standardized QUS examinations before treatment and again at week 2. The response was defined pathologically at surgery as residual cancer burden class 0/I versus II/III. Clinical, histopathologic, and QUS variables were compared between responders and non-responders. Group comparisons used Student’s t test, Mann–Whitney U test, chi-square testing, and Fisher’s exact test where appropriate. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of response. Model discrimination was summarized using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. Results: Forty-three patients (44.8%) were classified as responders and 53 (55.2%) as non-responders. Responders had higher baseline Ki-67 values (47.8 ± 13.1% vs. 41.9 ± 13.0%, p = 0.033), lower baseline homogeneity (0.3 ± 0.1 vs. 0.4 ± 0.1, p = 0.010), and higher peritumoral heterogeneity (0.9 ± 0.1 vs. 0.8 ± 0.2, p = 0.027). At week 2, responders showed larger increases in mid-band fit (3.0 ± 0.8 vs. 1.2 ± 0.8 dB, p < 0.001), greater entropy change (0.7 ± 0.2 vs. 0.2 ± 0.2, p < 0.001), more pronounced spectral intercept reduction (−3.5 ± 1.4 vs. −1.2 ± 1.3, p < 0.001), and greater tumor shrinkage (−24.3 ± 7.0% vs. −11.1 ± 5.7%, p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, Δ MBF and Δ entropy remained independent predictors of pathologic response. The combined clinical-plus-QUS model achieved an AUC of 0.89. Conclusions: Baseline microstructural heterogeneity and very early QUS-derived treatment changes were strongly associated with the pathologic response to NAC. These findings support the potential role of QUS radiomics as a low-cost, repeatable early-response biomarker in breast cancer. Full article

Objective: Describe a mobile health clinic program led by pharmacists to provide services in a primary care shortage area. Methods: ONU HealthWise is a comprehensive pharmacy service offered by Ohio Northern University Raabe College of Pharmacy with a mobile clinic initiated in 2015. ONU HealthWise is located in an HRSA-designated medically underserved and primary care shortage area and the mobile health clinic visits 11–18 locations monthly plus additional sites for screening or vaccinations. Medical residents from a health-system attend some locations and collaborative practice agreements allow pharmacists to initiate and adjust medications. Student pharmacists rotate through the mobile clinic to gain experiential training toward their Doctor of Pharmacy. The mobile clinic is an integral part of the learning and precepting for ONU HealthWise PGY-1 residents. Results: Over a 12-month period (July 2024–June 2025), the mobile clinic held 148 clinics across 7 rural counties in northwest Ohio. A total of 1265 screenings were conducted at 713 patient encounters (604 unique patients). Of the screenings, 38.1% of blood glucose, 21.6% of cholesterol, and 60.1% of blood pressures were abnormal. All abnormal tests resulted in either a medication adjustment, scheduled follow-up at future mobile clinic, or referral to a provider. Student pharmacists spent more than 3670 h on the mobile health clinic in experiential education. Conclusion: Pharmacists can be an integral healthcare provider by increasing access to primary care services through a mobile health clinic in a medically underserved area. The service provides learners with vital patient experiences. Full article

Background/Objectives: Aim: Dental practice involves continuous exposure to saliva and blood, creating persistent opportunities for cross-infection if contaminated instruments are not processed correctly. This study aimed to evaluate dental students’ knowledge regarding blood-borne infections and infection prevention measures, and to compare knowledge levels according to academic year and sex. Materials and Methods: A structured questionnaire consisting of 21 single-best-answer questions was administered to 93 undergraduate dental students (Years I–VI) from the Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Gr. T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iași, Romania. The questionnaire evaluated knowledge related to instrument classification, cleaning and disinfection procedures, sterilization parameters, autoclave monitoring tests, and storage conditions. Demographic data were also collected. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 31, and associations between responses and demographic variables were assessed using chi-square tests. Associations between responses and demographic variables (academic year and sex) were evaluated using chi-square tests (p < 0.05). Results: Most participants correctly identified several key steps in the instrument processing circuit, including the use of high-level disinfectant–detergent solutions (88.2%) and the need for disinfection followed by sterilization (76.3%). However, important knowledge gaps were identified regarding autoclave pre-use checks, correct sterilization temperatures and exposure times, recommended sterile storage periods, and the interpretation of sterilization monitoring tools such as type 5 chemical integrators, Bowie–Dick tests, and Helix tests. Knowledge levels differed significantly according to academic year (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Although overall awareness of instrument processing procedures among dental students was generally satisfactory, several inconsistencies were observed in critical technical aspects of sterilization and monitoring. These findings highlight the need for strengthened infection control education and repeated practical training to reduce the risk of cross-infection in dental practice. Full article

Virtual patients (VPs) and artificial intelligence (AI) are being implemented in pharmacy education across various countries in order to learn different techniques to improve communication skills, identify drug-related problems, assess the pharmacist’s role in the self-medication process or assess students’ knowledge acquisition. The objective of this study was to assess the benefits of integrating VPs and AI in pharmacy education, particularly their impact on pharmacy students’ knowledge and skills in self-medication counselling. A literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases. Studies focused on the integration of VPs and AI tools in pharmacy education and their impact on students’ knowledge, counselling and communication skills related to self-medication, were evaluated. Eligible studies were full-text, peer-reviewed research articles published in English. No restrictions were applied regarding publication year. A total of 857 articles were identified through electronic databases and 9 met the inclusion criteria. Six studies were conducted in the USA and one each in Portugal, Sweden and Indonesia. Most studies employed a pre–post-study design. Six studies utilized VP simulations, while the remaining three implemented AI-based tools. Key outcomes covered in analyzed articles included improvements in knowledge score, communication, and consultation skills, along with positive perceptions, including increased student satisfaction and confidence levels. Using VP simulations and AI tools in pharmacy education could positively impact students by enhancing their knowledge as well as their confidence and counselling skills. Full article

Teaching organic chemistry is also important for pharmacists to understand the synthesis and mechanism of action of organic drug molecules. Unfortunately, organic chemistry is considered one of the most difficult subjects. This impression affects students’ motivation. To provide students with a learning aid and hopefully boost their motivation, this pilot study tested the integration of 28 elevenies—a special form of short poem—during a semester in an organic chemistry lecture for pharmacists. An anonymous and voluntary questionnaire was conducted at the end of the lecture sessions to assess perceptions of the use of elevenies as a teaching tool. Overall, the student feedback on the implementation of elevenies was positive. In general, students felt (with nearly 94% agreement) that a wider variety of learning methods, such as elevenies, should be incorporated into university teaching. They found elevenies, a type of literature, suitable for summarizing content of organic chemistry, a natural science. The majority (about 65%) stated that they secretly looked forward to the presentation of the elevenies during the lecture, indicating an increase in motivation. In addition, 83% of the respondents wanted to adduce elevenies to repeat and learn the teaching material. However, only about 20% could imagine writing elevenies themselves as part of the learning process. With 94% approval, the respondents gave a clear vote to retain elevenies in future semesters. This suggests the students’ perception of elevenies as an educational tool. Their ease of use could certainly be extended to other subject areas, provided that the topics addressed are not too complex. Full article

Background: Medication adherence is essential for treatment effectiveness and safety, but pharmacy students may find it difficult to assess adherence comprehensively during medication reviews (MRs). This study examined how pharmacy students assess medication adherence in real-world MRs and explored whether complementary adherence frameworks could support broader evaluation. Methods: This observational exploratory study was conducted in the integrated MSc (Master of Science) Pharmacy program at the University of Tartu, Estonia. During the internship, 21 pharmacy students performed a Brown Bag MR with patients aged 65 years or older who used at least 5 prescription medications. Data included patient interviews, e-prescription records, and a validated MR documentation form. An expert panel applied the World Health Organization Medication Adherence Model (WHO-MAM) and the Perceptions and Practicalities Approach (PAPA) to identify adherence determinants not captured by the student-used MR tool. Descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis were used. Results: Students mainly documented therapy- and patient-related issues, such as incorrect dosing, side effects, and interactions, while socioeconomic and healthcare system factors were rarely identified. Students identified potential adherence-related issues in 19% of cases, whereas experts identified such issues in 57% of cases. Additional gaps included limited recognition of financial barriers, access difficulties, and social support factors. Conclusions: In this exploratory study, pharmacy students identified medication-use-related problems during MRs, but broader adherence-related determinants were less consistently documented. These preliminary findings suggest that structured frameworks such as WHO-MAM and PAPA may be useful for broadening adherence assessment in experiential pharmacy education. Full article

Background/Objectives: Alcohol misuse among medical students is commonly attributed to academic stress, yet the specific role of coping mechanisms in this relationship has received limited attention. We investigated whether substance use coping, rather than stress exposure itself, drives alcohol use risk in Romanian medical students, and whether distinct coping-based subgroups can be identified through cluster analysis. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 244 medical students (mean age 21.95 ± 3.27 years; 67.2% female) at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Romania. Alcohol use was measured with the AUDIT and coping strategies with the Brief COPE. Analyses included Mann–Whitney U tests, Spearman correlations, multiple linear and binary logistic regression, and k-means clustering. Results: At-risk drinking (AUDIT ≥ 8) was identified in 19.7% of participants. The tendency to use substances to cope with stress (substance use coping) was the strongest predictor of AUDIT scores in both linear regression (B = 2.090, p < 0.001, R² = 0.513) and logistic regression (OR = 2.026, p < 0.001). Male sex independently predicted at-risk status (OR = 2.572, p = 0.025), while planning was protective in both models (B = −0.657, p = 0.005; OR = 0.691, p = 0.029). Humor also emerged as a significant risk factor (OR = 1.638, p = 0.005). K-means analysis (k = 5) revealed five coping profiles with significantly different AUDIT distributions (Kruskal–Wallis H = 47.26, p < 0.001). The Substance-Oriented cluster (13.1% of students) had a mean AUDIT of 12.66, compared with 3.00–4.13 in other clusters. Conclusions: In a subgroup of medical students, alcohol use appears integrated into the coping repertoire rather than merely being a consequence of stress. The identified coping profiles should be interpreted as prototypical configurations with overlapping boundaries rather than discrete categorical types, given the low silhouette coefficient (0.094) of the cluster solution. The strong predictive effect of substance use coping should be interpreted with the caveat that the Brief COPE Substance Use subscale and the AUDIT share content related to alcohol use behavior, which may inflate the observed association. These findings point to the need for coping-specific interventions. Planning skills training and a more nuanced understanding of humor’s role in drinking contexts may offer avenues for prevention. However, the logistic model’s sensitivity of 50.0% indicates that coping-based identification alone would miss approximately half of at-risk students, underscoring the need for further refinement before clinical application. Full article

This study investigates the educational impact of an industrial field visit on the learning experience of second-year pharmacy students at Qatar University. The visit, integrated within the Pharmaceutics II course (PHAR 310), was designed to complement theoretical instruction by providing exposure to real-world pharmaceutical manufacturing and quality control processes, particularly for parenteral dosage forms. A mixed-methods approach was employed using quantitative and qualitative data derived from post-visit questionnaires. Findings indicated that students reported positive perceptions of the experience, with the majority indicating improved understanding of key pharmaceutical manufacturing concepts and strong support for the inclusion of similar activities within the curriculum. Qualitative analysis further suggested that the visit facilitated contextualization of theoretical knowledge, enhanced engagement, and supported early professional awareness. While these findings suggest that structured industrial visits may serve as a valuable complementary educational strategy in pharmacy training, the results should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size and single-institution design. Further research incorporating larger cohorts, objective learning assessments, and longitudinal evaluation is underway to better establish the educational impact of these interventions. Full article

The internet is increasingly embedded in daily life; however, excessive use may lead to internet addiction, adversely affecting health and academic performance. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of internet addiction and its association with depressive symptoms among pharmacy students at Mahasarakham University. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between 1 October and 31 December 2025 among undergraduate pharmacy students (years 1–6) aged ≥18 years who provided voluntary consent. Data were collected via street-based and online self-administered questionnaires validated for content and reliability. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied, and binary logistic regression was used to identify associated factors. Among 396 participants, the mean internet use was 9 h 43 min per day. The prevalence of excessive use (risk) was 75.95%, while 17.47% met criteria for internet addiction. High to very high psychological problems were significantly associated with internet addiction (aOR = 3.89; 95% CI: 1.70–8.89; p = 0.001). Risk of depression (2Q) was also significantly associated (aOR = 2.67; 95% CI: 1.39–5.15; p = 0.003). Internet addiction is strongly associated with mental health factors, highlighting the need for targeted prevention and institutional mental health interventions. Full article

Community pharmacies in the United States (US) face an increasingly unsustainable future due to declining third-party reimbursement (remuneration) and ongoing cash flow challenges following the elimination of retroactive direct and indirect remuneration (DIR) fees. These pressures have contributed to widespread pharmacy closures, the emergence of pharmacy deserts, and reduced access to care for millions of patients. Despite these challenges, community pharmacy remains the most common employment setting for pharmacy school graduates in the US. However, currently required community pharmacy Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) student rotations may offer limited exposure to business, management, and entrepreneurial activities, potentially leaving students underprepared for practice in this setting. US colleges and schools of pharmacy are uniquely positioned to address this gap by partnering with their community pharmacy APPE rotation sites to intentionally integrate business- and practice-focused knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSAs) into the APPE. Equipping students with these KSAs may enhance early career readiness while also supporting the financial sustainability of US community pharmacies through the development of innovative, revenue-generating services. These efforts further align with the 2025 Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) Standards and may help advance the profession. Future research should examine optimal community pharmacy APPE structures, models, and assessment strategies to maximize student preparedness and long-term community pharmacy sustainability. Full article

Universities play a strategic role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through community engagement, particularly within medical education. This study examines medical students’ involvement in volunteering activities and evaluates how such engagement contributes to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 4 (Quality Education). A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 499 students from the Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Timișoara, using a structured questionnaire assessing perceived community impact, soft skills development, motivation for volunteering, sustainability orientation, and institutional support. Results indicate a high level of availability and prior participation in volunteering, reflecting strong internalization of public health and social responsibility values. While no significant differences were observed between volunteers and non-volunteers regarding perceived community impact (SDG 3), volunteer experience was significantly associated with higher levels of soft skills development and motivation (SDG 4). Strong positive correlations were identified between perceived community impact and motivational, educational, and sustainability related dimensions. The intensity of involvement was modestly associated with sustainability orientation and institutional support. Despite high motivation, students reported limited structured institutional frameworks for sustained engagement. The findings suggest that medical volunteering functions as a dual mechanism, strengthening professional competencies while reinforcing community health orientation. Institutionalizing structured outreach programs, particularly in underserved areas, could enhance long-term impact and align medical education more effectively with the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. Full article

Background: Young adulthood represents a critical period for the emergence of early metabolic disturbances, potentially influenced by dietary shifts toward convenience and ultra-processed foods. However, evidence linking dietary patterns and cooking practices with objective metabolic biomarkers in Romanian university students remains limited. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 693 students aged 18–24 years at the Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Romania (June–July 2025). Dietary habits, food preferences, and cooking practices were assessed using a structured online questionnaire, while anthropometric and biochemical data were obtained from university health records. The primary outcome was glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), a marker of average blood glucose levels over the previous 2–3 months. Prediabetes was defined as HbA1c 5.7–6.4%. Dietary patterns were identified using k-means clustering based on fast-food consumption frequency, main meal of the day, fruit and vegetable intake frequency, and predominant cooking method. Multivariable regression models assessed associations between dietary variables and glycemic or lipid outcomes. Results: Prediabetes prevalence was 21.1% (diabetes: 1.4%). Three dietary patterns were identified: health-conscious (prediabetes 15.4%), mixed (20.0%), and fast-food oriented (27.3%; χ² p = 0.003). Fast-food consumption frequency was independently associated with higher prediabetes risk (OR = 1.78 per category; 95% CI 1.38–2.30; p < 0.001) and higher HbA1c levels (β = 0.147; p < 0.001), while fruit and vegetable intake showed an inverse association with HbA1c (β = −0.109; p < 0.001). A dose–response relationship was observed between fast-food frequency and both HbA1c and prediabetes prevalence (p-trend < 0.001). An interaction between high-temperature cooking methods and frequent fast-food consumption was observed for HbA1c (p = 0.023). BMI and sex were the strongest predictors of lipid outcomes, although fast-food intake was associated with higher triglyceride levels (p = 0.034). Conclusions: Among Romanian university students, dietary patterns characterized by frequent fast-food consumption were associated with higher HbA1c levels and greater prediabetes prevalence. A high-temperature cooking method was associated with higher glycemic levels when combined with frequent fast-food intake. These findings suggest that early dietary behaviors during university years may be relevant for metabolic risk profiles in young adults. Full article