Current Issue : January-March Volume : 2022 Issue Number : 1 Articles : 5 Articles
Background: In our previous study regarding infection prevention after COVID-19, many Japanese citizen respondents had not received education/training on infection prevention. However, a total of 47.7% (n = 143) of these respondents wanted to receive education from healthcare professionals regarding the methods and effects of infection prevention. Therefore, changes in recognition of the roles of Japanese pharmacists before and after COVID-19 were investigated. Methods: We conducted a survey to determine whether recognition of Japanese pharmacists’ roles, especially their role in public health in the community, changed after COVID-19. Results: A total of 93.9% (n = 307) of the pharmacist respondents showed an increased awareness of infection prevention. Before COVID-19, the hospital pharmacists (67.2%; n = 80) were more aware of infection prevention than were pharmacy pharmacists (51.7%; n = 74) and drugstore pharmacists (47.7%; n = 31). The number of pharmacists who felt that the role of pharmacists in the community had changed after the pandemic increased, but the numbers of community pharmacy pharmacists (51.8%; n = 74) and drugstore pharmacists (55.4%; n = 36) were found to be slightly higher than those of hospital pharmacists (47.9%; n = 57). Conclusions: In a society in which swift responses and changes are required, for individuals to work as medical personnel their ability to respond while always being aware of the needs of society is required now more than ever....
Background: Although pharmacy literature suggests that pharmacists have a positive attitude towards older adults, there is a paucity of studies that have measured pharmacists’ knowledge or attitudes towards older people. The purpose of our study was to assess the knowledge and attitudes of hospital pharmacists toward older adults. Methods: An electronic survey was distributed over two months to clinical hospital pharmacists across the province of Alberta, Canada. The survey was composed of two validated tools, the Palmore Facts of Aging Quiz (PFAQ) and Kogan’s Attitude toward Old People Scale (KOPS). PFAQ is scored from 0 (poor knowledge) to 25 (high knowledge) and KOPS from 34 to 204, with higher than 119 indicating a positive attitude. Results: A total of 153 pharmacists completed the survey (response rate of 24%). The mean age was 39 (SD 10.8) years; the average years practiced was 15 (SD 11), and the majority of respondents (n = 65) reported that >50% of patients in their practice were geriatrics. The mean correct responses on the PFAQ were 18.8 (SD 2.6). KOPS had a mean score of 156.8 (SD 14), with only one pharmacist score falling below 119, indicating a negative attitude. There was a statistically significant, positive correlation between attitudes and knowledge (r = 0.38, p < 0.05), as well as the increasing age of the respondents (r = 0.18, p = 0.03). The remaining measured categories (i.e., gender, years of pharmacy practice) had no significant effect. Conclusion: Clinical hospital pharmacists in Alberta have a positive attitude toward geriatric patients, as well as a satisfactory knowledge of older adults....
After the emergency use authorization of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccinations in the United States, existing pharmacy infrastructure was leveraged to disseminate vaccines. However, the national uptake of COVID-19 vaccines remains poor. This survey study of Mississippi pharmacists aimed to identify barriers to providing COVID-19 vaccination among pharmacists in practice settings that provided other vaccines. A thematic analysis was used to analyze open-ended survey responses. This study found that the greatest identified barrier to COVID-19 vaccination for pharmacists was patient willingness. The thematic analysis revealed logistical barriers, vaccine hesitancy, and rural pharmacy distribution concerns. These findings suggest that pharmacists require further training in overcoming vaccine hesitancy, and potentially indicate a need for the distribution of vaccination responsibilities to additional pharmacy staff members....
Most research on pharmacist professional wellbeing has focused on measuring burnout. However, using valid and reliable instruments to assess professional fulfillment in pharmacists can expand understanding of pharmacists’ professional wellbeing. This study aimed to (1) establish the validity of the Professional Fulfillment Index (PFI) for a sample of pharmacists licensed in the United States (US) using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and (2) compare the professional wellbeing of pharmacists across demographics and work settings. Data for this study were obtained from the 2019 National PharmacyWorkforce Survey (NPWS). The survey assessed pharmacist professional wellbeing using the PFI. The model fit of the PFI was assessed using CFA. Multiple linear regression was used to compare pharmacist wellbeing across demographics and work settings. The CFA affirmed that the PFI possesses a satisfactory model fit for use in pharmacists. Regression analysis showed higher burnout (work exhaustion and interpersonal disengagement) was associated with decreasing age, being female, working more hours, and working in a community pharmacy. Higher professional fulfillment was associated with men, and working in non-community pharmacy work settings. The PFI is a psychometrically reliable and valid instrument for assessing the professional wellbeing of pharmacists....
Validation studies of pain interference instruments used among student pharmacists are rare yet essential for understanding their appropriate use and interpretation in pharmacy education and practice. This study conducted validation and reliability assessments of a five-item Pain Interference Scale previously administered to student pharmacists. Construct validity was assessed using Rasch analysis. Unidimensionality was measured using: point-biserial measure correlations; percent of raw variance explained by items; difference between expected; variance modeled by items; and Rasch model fit. To assess scale functioning, response frequency distribution, observed average and sample expected logit distribution, Andrich logit distribution, item separation, and item reliability were assessed. Visual examination of the Item-Person Map determined content validity. Items explained 64.2% of data raw variance. The difference between raw variance modeled and observed was 0.6. Point-biserial measure correlations were >0.77. Item mean-square infits were 0.7–1.3 while outfit measures were 0.72–1.16. There were >10 responses per response category, response frequency and Andrich thresholds progressively advanced, and observed average and sample expected logits advanced monotonically, Andrich logits = −2.33–1.69, item separation = 2.61, and item reliability = 0.87. Item probability curves indicated response categories were minimally yet adequately distinct. Cronbach’s alpha = 0.93. The Item-Person Map had a ceiling effect indicating content gaps. In conclusion, the pain interference instrument has acceptable construct validity yet contains content gaps. Additional difficult items should be added to the instrument to better capture pain interference among student pharmacists....
Loading....