International journal of clinical pharmacy
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Characteristic of drug-related problems and pharmacists' interventions in a stroke unit in Thailand.
Background Little information is available regarding pharmacist's intervention to solve drug-related problems (DRPs) in a stroke unit. Objective To investigate the nature and frequency of DRPs along with the role of pharmacists in a stroke unit. Setting The study was conducted at the stroke unit of Siriraj hospital, a university affiliated tertiary care hospital in Thailand. ⋯ The multidisciplinary team accepted 84.7% of pharmacists' interventions. Conclusion DRP in a stroke unit is common. Clinical pharmacists in a stroke unit can effectively reduce and prevent DRPs with the focus on performing medication reconciliation, providing recommendation on dosage adjustment and proper drug selection for stroke patients.
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Background In Germany, no validated measure and model of pharmacist-physician collaboration existed. Objectives To provide evidence for the factor structure of the previously validated Frequency of Inter-professional Collaboration Instrument and the Attitudes Toward Collaboration Instrument in measuring attitudes toward and frequency of collaboration from the general practitioner's perspective in the context of primary care in Germany; to develop an explanatory model which illustrates factors influencing collaboration. Setting The study was conducted in the primary health care sector in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany with a cohort of general practitioners. ⋯ The significant demographic predictors of collaboration were age, population of the surgery's location, distance to the pharmacy, specialty. Conclusion The results provide evidence for the factor structure of both measures in measuring attitudes toward and frequency of collaboration. A model of collaboration in which behaviour and extent of collaboration are directly influenced by individual and context characteristics is supported.
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Multicenter Study
Attitudes towards deprescribing among multi-ethnic community-dwelling older patients and caregivers in Malaysia: a cross-sectional questionnaire study.
Background Deprescribing describes a process of medication regimen optimization with the aim to reduce adverse events and improve quality of life. There is limited research on perceptions of older adults, defined as those 60 years of age and older, about their willingness to cease a medication in developing countries. Objective To ascertain patients' attitudes, beliefs, perceptions, and experiences regarding the number of medications they were taking and their opinions regarding deprescribing. ⋯ Older adults (p = 0.003) and those with lower education level (p < 0.001) were more willing to have their medications deprescribed. Other demographic characteristics such as gender, number of medication taken or number of doctors managing patient were not found to be correlated with willingness to stop a medication. Conclusion Older adults taking multiple medications for various medical conditions were largely accepting of a trial of cessation of medication.
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Background Codeine is the most commonly used opioid worldwide, and is available over-the-counter (OTC) in many countries. There is continual debate regarding the risk:benefit profile for OTC codeine. In Australia, codeine containing analgesics became 'prescription only medicine' from February 2018. ⋯ Perceived advantages for codeine upscheduling included: increased pharmacist/patient engagement, and less codeine use leading to better overall risk:benefit outcome; while disadvantages included: fewer analgesic options, and increased burden for patients, General Practitioners, and the health system. Conclusion This study showed that the current views on the recent codeine upscheduling are quite mixed, with both advantages and disadvantages perceived. Improving education and up-skilling in this space is essential.
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Background Pharmacists are increasingly being included as members of general practice primary care teams. To date, there have been few published studies describing the competencies of general practice (GP) pharmacists and establishing their subsequent educational needs. Aim of the review The aim of this literature review is to establish the activities of pharmacists in general practice to inform the development of a comprehensive role description and competency map. ⋯ No roles were mapped to competencies relating to re-imbursement for medicines, procurement, or medication production. All areas of professional and personal competence were relevant to the GP pharmacist role. Conclusion A comprehensive role description and competency map for GP pharmacists is described and may be used to inform future research into the education of GP pharmacists.