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Harnett JE, Desselle S, Ung COL. Towards consensus: defining and supporting a professional role for pharmacists associated with traditional and complementary medicines - a protocol of implementing an international e-survey. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e061352. [PMID: 35902196 PMCID: PMC9341198 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-061352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Traditional and complementary medicines (T&CM) are predominantly self-selected from retail outlets including pharmacies as part of self-care practices. Concerns about the appropriate and safe use of T&CM products raises questions about 'should' and 'how' pharmacists could adopt professional responsibilities. There lacks a consensus about the scope of these responsibilities, or the initiatives required to execute them. The aim of this study is to identify an international set of core responsibilities that support pharmacists' contribution to ensuring the quality and safe use of T&CMs to promote public health. METHODS AND ANALYSIS An international cross-sectional e-survey of pharmacists representing the six WHO regions will be conducted over a 12-month period. Pharmacists will be invited via representative organisations and professional networks within their respective country. Survey responses to statements about the relevance of T&CM to day-to-day practice; opinions about the bioethical and practice responsibilities; and support required to build their scope of practice associated with T&CM will be collected centrally via the online survey platform Survey Monkey and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences V.27 software for Windows. Bivariate statistical analysis will be conducted to examine the associations between agreement to statements within each section with key demographic variables, country of practice, pharmacy type, age, gender, qualification and years in practice. Cronbach's alpha will be used to test the internal consistency of items from certain sections of the survey and evince their clarity to respondents of the questionnaire. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethics approval has been obtained from the University of Macau (approval number SSHRE21-APP068-ICMS-01). The results of this survey will be used to inform key discussion points in a consensus process and a step towards developing an agreed and defined professional role for pharmacists in T&CMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna E Harnett
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Pharmacy School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Carolina Oi Lam Ung
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau
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Malhotra V, Harnett J, McIntyre E, Steel A, Wong K, Saini B. To "tell or not to tell"-Exploring disclosure about medicine use by people living with sleep disorders. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 20:338-347. [PMID: 35440415 DOI: 10.1016/j.joim.2022.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the difference in rates and reasons for disclosure of either conventional or complementary medicine (CM) to healthcare practitioners between people living with sleep disorders (SDs) and those without SDs. METHODS A cross-sectional survey (N = 2019 adults) that measured sociodemographic characteristics, health status, health service utilisation, health literacy and health communication (medicine disclosure) of a representative sample of Australians was conducted. Data from participants reporting an SD (n = 265) were compared to those not reporting an SD to assess measures of health communication and disclosure about medicine use. RESULTS Overall, rates of medicine disclosure to both conventional and CM practitioners were high, in respondents with (70%) and without an SD (57%). Those reporting an SD had higher expectations of their conventional health practitioner's knowledge of CM, associated clinical decision-making skills, and approval of CM use, and held a higher degree of concern about drug interactions (P < 0.05). The main reasons cited for disclosing CM use to conventional health practitioners and conventional medicine use to CM practitioners were "I want them to fully understand my health status" and "I was concerned about drug interactions with the CMs used." CONCLUSION The high rate of medicine use disclosure by people with SDs is driven by an intention to inform their healthcare practitioner about their health status and concerns about potential medicine interactions. Therefore, research about the expectations that people with an SD have of their conventional healthcare practitioners' knowledge of CM and CM-drug interactions requires further examination. Likewise, further examination of CM practitioner's conventional medicine knowledge is encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vibha Malhotra
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, the University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Joanna Harnett
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, the University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia; The Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, School of Public Health, the University of Technology, Sydney, New South Wales 2007, Australia.
| | - Erica McIntyre
- The Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, School of Public Health, the University of Technology, Sydney, New South Wales 2007, Australia; Institute for Sustainable Futures, the University of Technology, Sydney, New South Wales 2007, Australia
| | - Amie Steel
- The Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, School of Public Health, the University of Technology, Sydney, New South Wales 2007, Australia
| | - Keith Wong
- The Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, the University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2037, Australia; Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, the University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia; Department of Respiratory & Sleep Medicine, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales 2050, Australia
| | - Bandana Saini
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, the University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia; The Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, the University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2037, Australia
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Naturopathic practitioners' approach to caring for people with cardiovascular disease risk factors: A cross-cultural cross-sectional study reporting the providers perspective. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2021; 46:101511. [PMID: 34768132 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND and purpose: Naturopathic practitioners (NPs) in the United States (US) and Australia are consulted for the prevention and management of a range of health conditions, including cardiovascular disease (CVD). Despite this, little is known about how NPs approach the management of CVD risk factors. The aim of this study was to explore NPs approach to the care of people with CVD risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS In 2018, Australian and US NPs were recruited via professional representative organisations. A survey was developed containing four domains; naturopathic approaches to the clinical management of CVD risk factors, communication and sharing of information; professional-client relationship factors; and demographic information. The data analysis was conducted using the appropriate statistical tests. RESULTS A total of 151 NPs completed the survey (Australia n = 75, US n = 76). NPs reported employing dietary, and multiple behavioural and natural product interventions to treat CVD risk factors. The most frequently recommended products by US and Australian NPs were fish oils (87%), magnesium (83%) and coenzyme Q10 (87%). Differences in what US and Australian NPs recommended were identified. NPs reported limited communication with medical doctors about their clients. NPs placed high importance on the relationship quality with their clients. CONCLUSION US and Australian NPs represent an aspect of primary care and disease prevention that warrants further research that evaluates the potential risks and benefits of NP care, and challenges and opportunities associated with NPs integration into the healthcare systems, for populations with CVD risk factors.
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Patient Satisfaction Determinants of Inpatient Healthcare. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182111337. [PMID: 34769856 PMCID: PMC8582779 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182111337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the study was to analyse and evaluate the determinants influencing the overall satisfaction of patients with inpatient healthcare in the conditions of the Czech Republic. A total of the 1425 patients, who experienced hospitalisation and agreed to participate, were questioned in the study. A research questionnaire was used to obtain data on satisfaction with hospitalisation. The subject of the research consisted of the indicators related to the following factors: (i) satisfaction with the hospital, clinic, room and meals; (ii) satisfaction with medical staff-nurses, physician expertise and other staff; (iii) the quality of the treatment provided; (iv) satisfaction with leaving the hospital. The formulated statistical hypotheses were evaluated through structural equation modelling. The results of the analyses brought interesting findings. Satisfaction with medical staff is the most significant factor which has a positive effect on satisfaction with hospitalisation. Physician expertise (with trust and good communication skills) is more important for patients than satisfaction with nurses or other staff. The results obtained from the study represent valuable information for policymakers, regional healthcare plans, as well as for managers of hospitals.
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Hunter PhD MScPH BMed J, Majd Md Ms I, Kowalski Dc M, Harnett PhD MHSc BHSc JE. Interprofessional Communication-A Call for More Education to Ensure Cultural Competency in the Context of Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine. Glob Adv Health Med 2021; 10:21649561211014107. [PMID: 34035989 PMCID: PMC8126956 DOI: 10.1177/21649561211014107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Culturally appropriate communication between healthcare professionals and with patients
is widely recognised as a cornerstone of high quality, patient-centred care. The
widespread use of traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM) necessitates
that patient-centre communication and cultural competency in healthcare extends beyond
race, ethnicity, and languages spoken to also include an awareness of, and respect for the
diverse range of healthcare practices, paradigms, and lexicons that patients and
practitioners use. Education can equip practitioners with the necessary communication
skills and expand their knowledge about the therapies and practices that patients are
accessing. In this viewpoint essay, we aim to 1) emphasise the importance of respectful,
culturally competent interprofessional communication and collaboration that mutually
supports patients’ care needs; 2) note the impact of a political agenda that perpetuates
medical hegemony and has discriminated against, and marginalised TCIM practitioners and
the people who use these services; and 3) highlight the importance of educational
initiatives that support inclusive, culturally competent, interprofessional communication
and collaboration between conventional and TCIM healthcare practitioners.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Iman Majd Md Ms
- Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
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