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Tanty A, Vitale E, Lombardo-Duron D, Grevy A, Gibert P, Chapuis C, Chevallier-Brilloit C, Allenet B, Bedouch P, Chanoine S. Clinical pharmacy as a guarantee of safety in times of crisis: evolution and relevance of the continued presence of clinical pharmacists in frontline medical units during the first wave of COVID-19. Eur J Hosp Pharm 2024:ejhpharm-2023-003815. [PMID: 37875284 DOI: 10.1136/ejhpharm-2023-003815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the organisation of health services worldwide. In the first wave, many therapeutic options were explored, exposing patients to significant iatrogenic risk. In a context in which patient management was not well defined by clear recommendations and in which healthcare professionals were under great stress, was it still relevant to maintain pharmaceutical care or did it bring an additional factor of disorganisation? OBJECTIVE The aim of our study was to compare the relevance of pharmaceutical care practices before and during the COVID-19 crisis. METHODS A retrospective, comparative, observational analysis was conducted in two medical units in a French university hospital that were receiving patients with COVID-19 and benefiting from pharmaceutical care prior to the crisis. This study compared clinical pharmacy performance between two 1.5-month periods before and during the COVID-19 crisis. Performance was assessed according to the CLEO scale, rating the clinical, economic and organisational impacts of the accepted pharmaceutical interventions (PIs) performed in these units. RESULTS Of the 675 accepted PIs carried out in the two medical units over the entire study period, PIs performed during the COVID-19 period had a greater significant clinical impact (72% vs 56%, p˂0.0001), a more positive economic impact (38% vs 23%, p˂0.0001) and a more favourable organisational impact (52% vs 20%, p˂0.0001) than those performed prior to the COVID-19 period. CONCLUSIONS The health crisis generated important changes in care practices. Our study demonstrates the sustained relevance of pharmaceutical care during a health crisis. This local experience confirms the major interest in improving the integration of pharmaceutical expertise within French healthcare teams.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Benoît Allenet
- Pharmacy, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
- ThEMAS (Techniques for Evaluation and Modeling of Health Actions) TIMC-IMAG (Techniques for biomedical engineering and complexity management - informatics, mathematics and applications) UMR CNRS (National Institute of Sciences of the Universe - Research Unit 5525), Université Grenoble Alpes, Saint-Martin-d'Heres, France
| | - Pierrick Bedouch
- Pharmacy, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
- Pharmacy, Université Grenoble 1, Saint-Martin-d'Heres, France
| | - Sebastien Chanoine
- Pharmacy, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
- Pharmacy, Université Grenoble 1, Saint-Martin-d'Heres, France
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Yang R, Li Q, Hayat K, Zhai P, Liu W, Chen C, Saeed A, Chang J, Li P, Du Q, Xu S, Wen J, Fang Y. Views of Pharmacists and Government Representatives Toward the Pilot Chief Pharmacist System in Chinese Hospitals: A Multicenter Exploratory Qualitative Study. Front Public Health 2022; 10:895649. [PMID: 35784261 PMCID: PMC9240424 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.895649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In China, the pharmacy departments of most hospitals have changed their main focus from drug procurement and distribution to providing pharmaceutical care services. Various regions of China have successively implemented the pilot Chief Pharmacist System (CPS) to help improve pharmaceutical care services and rational drug use in hospitals. This study was designed to explore the perspectives of pharmacists and government officials on CPS, including the advantages and barriers to the successful implementation of CPS. Methods A qualitative study, based on semi-structured interviews, was conducted from October 1, 2018 to March 1, 2019. The interview data were gathered from 18 pharmacy staff and government representatives working in five distinct regions of China using purposive sampling. A thematic analysis approach and NVivo version 12 Plus was utilized to code and analysis of all interviews. Results Five broad themes were identified: the role of the chief pharmacist; their attitudes toward the CPS; the advantages and results of the CPS; the barriers toward CPS; and their suggestions toward CPS. Most of the participants believed that the chief pharmacist played a vital role in a hospital. Under CPS, the hospital pharmacy department pays more attention to prescription review, medication monitoring, and pharmaceutical consultation. However, an insufficient number of pharmacy personnel, unclear authority, and inadequate salaries were the main barriers to the implementation of the CPS. Conclusion The attitudes of most of the participants were found to be positive toward CPS in China. The CPS can enhance the prestige of the hospital pharmacy department, improve the quality of hospital pharmaceutical care services, and promote rational drug use. Nevertheless, certain barriers highlighted in this study should be addressed promptly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruomeng Yang
- Department of Industrial Economics and Trade, School of Economics and Finance, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Qian Li
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi'an, China
| | - Khezar Hayat
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi'an, China
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Panpan Zhai
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi'an, China
| | - Wenchen Liu
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi'an, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi'an, China
| | - Amna Saeed
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi'an, China
| | - Jie Chang
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi'an, China
| | - Pengchao Li
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi'an, China
| | - Qianqian Du
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi'an, China
| | - Sen Xu
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi'an, China
| | - Jun Wen
- Department of Industrial Economics and Trade, School of Economics and Finance, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- Jun Wen
| | - Yu Fang
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- Center for Drug Safety and Policy Research, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- Shaanxi Centre for Health Reform and Development Research, Xi'an, China
- *Correspondence: Yu Fang
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Moulaei K, Shanbehzadeh M, Bahaadinbeigy K, Kazemi-Arpanahi H. Survey of the patients' perspectives and preferences in adopting telepharmacy versus in-person visits to the pharmacy: a feasibility study during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2022; 22:99. [PMID: 35418072 PMCID: PMC9005615 DOI: 10.1186/s12911-022-01834-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Following the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the health authorities recommended the implementation of strict social distancing and complete lockdown regulations to reduce disease spread. The pharmacists quickly adopted telemedicine (telepharmacy) as a solution against this crisis, but awareness about this technology is lacking. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to explore the patients' perspectives and preferences regarding telepharmacy instead of traditional in-person visits. Methods An electronic questionnaire was designed and sent to 313 patients who were eligible for the study (from March to April 2021). The questionnaire used five-point Likert scales to inquire about motivations for adopting telepharmacy and in-person visits, their perceived advantages and disadvantages, and the declining factors of telepharmacy. Finally, the results were descriptively analyzed using SPSS 22. Results Of all 313 respondents, a total of 241 (77%) preferred appointments via telepharmacy while 72 (23%) preferred in-person services. There was a significant difference between the selection percentage of telepharmacy and in-person services (chi-square 91.42; p < 0.0001). Preference bout the telepharmacy system versus in-person visits to the pharmacy was associated with factors such as "reducing the incidence of contagious disease" (4.41; ± 0.78), "spending less time receiving pharmaceutical services” (4.24; ± 0.86)), and “traveling a shorter distance for receiving pharmaceutical services" (4.25; ± 0.86). "Reducing costs" (90.87%), "saving time" (89.21%), and "reducing the incidence of contagious disease" (87.13%) were the most important reasons for choosing telepharmacy services. Also, “face-to-face communication with the pharmacist” (25%), “low internet bandwidth” (25%), and “reduction of patients' anxiety and the increase of their peace of mind” (23.61%) were the most important reasons for choosing in-person visits. Conclusion Survey data indicate that most participants are likely to prefer the use of telepharmacy, especially during crises such as the current COVID-19 pandemic. Telepharmacy can be applied as an important means and a crucial service to lessen the load on healthcare organizations and expand drug supply shelters in pharmacies. However, there are still substantial hurdles to overcome in order to successfully implement the telemedicine platform as part of mainstream practice.
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12911-022-01834-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khadijeh Moulaei
- Medical Informatics Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mostafa Shanbehzadeh
- Department of Health Information Technology, School of Paramedical, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Kambiz Bahaadinbeigy
- Medical Informatics Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Hadi Kazemi-Arpanahi
- Department of Health Information Technology, Abadan University of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran. .,Student Research Committee, Abadan University of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran.
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Ivanova V, Pavlov D, Assenova T, Terzieva E, Milushewa P, Djemadan A, Vladimirova G, Dimitrova M, Kamusheva M. COVID-19 pandemic impact on the pharmaceutical sector in Bulgaria. PHARMACIA 2021. [DOI: 10.3897/pharmacia.68.e71638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In December, 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, a new, unknown strain of coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2 was identified. The virus has spread rapidly to other countries around the world, among which the most affected were Italy, Spain and the United States. As a result, in March 2020 The WHO has declared the new coronavirus epidemic a global pandemic. Despite timely measures and efforts to reduce morbidity, up to date, confirmed cases are 119,452,269, while the number of deaths reached 2,647,662 people. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all areas of human life – health, social, economic. In each of them, a number of restrictions and obligations were imposed, including wearing of masks, use of disinfectants, education in an online environment, limited work in restaurants and shops. The health sector was particularly affected, and all actors in the pharmaceutical system had to reorganize and adapt their activities in the name of a common goal – ending the COVID-19 pandemic.
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