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Peel E, Orji CC, Ogan S, Gould J, Leckbee G, Brown CM, Pope N. Pharmacists' Perceptions of Mental Well-Being and Immunization Safety During COVID-19. J Pharm Pract 2024; 37:563-570. [PMID: 36573840 PMCID: PMC9806197 DOI: 10.1177/08971900221149145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: To assess pharmacists' mental well-being, perceptions of safety, and willingness to administer vaccines before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: An electronic survey was administered to a convenient sample of practicing pharmacists working in Alabama, Tennessee and Texas. The 33-item survey examined pharmacists' beliefs about the pandemic's impact on their mental well-being, their perceptions of safety in vaccine administration, and their willingness to vaccinate. Responses were assessed on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (5). A recruitment email with the survey link was sent to pharmacists, with periodic reminders over a 4-week period. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses were utilized to evaluate survey responses. Results: A total of 387 responses were analyzed, with an estimated response rate of 3.93%. Most respondents were women (65%) and had at least 6 to 10 years of practice experience (28%). Overall, participants felt that the pandemic worsened their mental well-being, with women reporting a more negative mental well-being compared with men (P < .001). They reported having less time during workflow to apply personal protective equipment (PPE) (P = .0074) compared to before the pandemic. They also reported a decrease in willingness to vaccinate adult patients during the pandemic (P < .0001), and that concern about contracting COVID-19 prevented them from giving vaccinations (P < .0001). Conclusions: Pharmacists felt their mental well-being and willingness to vaccinate patients suffered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Future research and initiatives that focus on improving vaccination rates should also consider pharmacists' concerns and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chinelo C. Orji
- Health Outcomes Division, College
of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at
Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | | | | | | | - Carolyn M. Brown
- Health Outcomes Division, College
of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at
Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Nathan Pope
- Health Outcomes Division, College
of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at
Austin, Austin, TX, USA
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Dagne A, Yihunie W, Nibret G, Tegegne BA. The genus Commelina: Focus on distribution, morphology, traditional medicinal uses, phytochemistry, and Ethno-pharmacological activities: An updated literature review. Heliyon 2024; 10:e30945. [PMID: 38784558 PMCID: PMC11112323 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural plant-based medicines have gained in popularity, replacing artificial models and chemicals as a result of new pharmacological discoveries. The increased popularity and acceptability of herbal medications such as Commelina arose from the assumption that all-natural products are safe, readily available, and inexpensive. The genus Commelina (Commelinaceae), which has over 200 species, has long been utilized as a treatment for a variety of ailments and conditions around the world. However, to the authors' knowledge, there are no Comprehensive scientific reports of many medicinally important species of the genus Commelina under one roof. The current narrative review aims to present an updated overview of the various species of Commelina focusing on its morphology; geographical distribution; traditional medicinal use (species type, parts of the plant used, the mode of action, ailments treated, and countries practicing); phytochemical constituents; and pharmacological properties. The data search approach was carried out utilizing English-language electronic databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, Research Gates, Ethnobotany Research and Applications, and Google Scholar. Using key terms such as "medicinal plant," "genus Commelina," "traditional medicinal usage of Commelina species," "photochemistry of Commelina species," and "pharmacological (biologic) activities of Commelina species" numerous searches and in-depth discussions are conducted. It was found that many Commelina species contain bioactive-phytochemicals (secondary metabolites) with a variety of structural kinds, including alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, glycosides, tannins, saponins, sterols, anthocyanins, and others which are presumed for their pharmacological activities. According to the invitro and preclinical reports, the Commelina species have shown anti-diabetic, antioxidant, anti-microbial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, hepato-protective, diuretic, fertility-inducing, anti-diarrheal, and anthelmintic activity, sedative, and anxiolytic activities. Although standardized extracts and phytochemicals derived from numerous Commelina species are presumed to provide safer alternatives for treating a variety of human ailments, the phytochemistry and pharmacology of the genus' plants have yet to be thoroughly investigated, both in preclinical studies with various animal models and in large-scale clinical trials. The authors also advocate for future collaboration among scientists, pharmaceutical firm owners, and other interested parties to develop novel commelina drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abebe Dagne
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
| | - Wubetu Yihunie
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
| | - Getinet Nibret
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
| | - Bantayehu Addis Tegegne
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
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Alghonmeen RD, Dmour SM, Saghir SA, Abushattal S, Alnaimat S, Al-zharani M, Nasr FA, Althunibat OY. Anti-MRSA and cytotoxic activities of different solvent extracts from Artemisia herba-alba grown in Shubak, Jordan. Open Vet J 2024; 14:990-1001. [PMID: 38808292 PMCID: PMC11128642 DOI: 10.5455/ovj.2024.v14.i4.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Globally, resistance to antimicrobial drugs is a major hazard to public health. Infections that were once easily treatable with antibiotics are becoming harder to control, leading to prolonged illnesses, increased mortality rates, and higher healthcare costs. Aim This study intended to assess the antimicrobial, specifically the anti-Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and anticancer properties of different extracts obtained from A. herba-alba (AHA). Methods The antibacterial tests of AHA were performed on two Gram-negative bacterial strains (Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia), two Gram-positive bacterial strains (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Staphylococcus aureus). Initial screening for antibacterial activities was conducted using the well diffusion technique. Subsequently, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined through the broth-dilution assay. The anticancer test was carried out in vitro on a human colorectal carcinoma cell line (HCT-116) using MTT assay. Results Among all extracts, n-hexane extract of AHA was the most effective against S. aureus with the highest inhibition zone (24.67 mm ± 0.58) compared to standard antibiotic (erythromycin, 24.00 mm) followed by the methanolic extract against MRSA (24.00 mm ± 1.73). The methanol extract of AHA showed the highest antibacterial activity against MRSA. The results of MIC and MBC of the AHA methanol extract against MRSA were 1.17 ± 1.09 and 9.375 ± 0.0 mg/ml, respectively, demonstrating therapeutically significant antibacterial activity. Ethyl acetate extract has no antibacterial activity against E. coli and K. pneumonia. The findings indicated that the methanol extract of AHA exhibited the highest efficacy against the colorectal carcinoma cell line (HCT-116), with an IC50 value of 126.61 ± 13.35 μg/ml. Conclusion These findings suggest that the methanol extract of AHA could be considered as a potential agent to serve as a source of antibacterial and anticancer compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reham D. Alghonmeen
- Department of Medical Analysis, Princess Aisha Bint Al-Hussein College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Al-Hussein Bin Talal University, Ma‘an, Jordan
| | - Saif M. Dmour
- Department of Medical Analysis, Princess Aisha Bint Al-Hussein College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Al-Hussein Bin Talal University, Ma‘an, Jordan
| | - Sultan A.M. Saghir
- Department of Medical Analysis, Princess Aisha Bint Al-Hussein College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Al-Hussein Bin Talal University, Ma‘an, Jordan
| | - Saqr Abushattal
- Department of Medical Analysis, Princess Aisha Bint Al-Hussein College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Al-Hussein Bin Talal University, Ma‘an, Jordan
| | - Sulaiman Alnaimat
- Department of Medical Analysis, Princess Aisha Bint Al-Hussein College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Al-Hussein Bin Talal University, Ma‘an, Jordan
| | - Mohammed Al-zharani
- Biology Department, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fahd A. Nasr
- Biology Department, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Osama Y. Althunibat
- Department of Medical Analysis, Princess Aisha Bint Al-Hussein College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Al-Hussein Bin Talal University, Ma‘an, Jordan
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Ababneh BF, Ong SC, Elbarazi I, Aljamal HZ, Hussain R. A qualitative study exploring community pharmacists' awareness, attitudes and perceptions about drive-thru community pharmacy service in Malaysia during COVID-19. J Pharm Policy Pract 2024; 17:2303752. [PMID: 38260172 PMCID: PMC10802799 DOI: 10.1080/20523211.2024.2303752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Drive-thru services are not given sufficient focus in the community pharmacy setting which was highlighted during COVID-19, particularly in Malaysia. This study aimed to explore the community pharmacists' perspectives regarding drive-thru community pharmacy service during COVID-19 in Malaysia. Methods In-depth online semi-structured individual interviews were conducted among 25 community pharmacists working in Malaysia. All interviews were conducted between March 2022 and May 2022 and were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim, and then analysed by thematic analysis. Results Thematic analysis yielded seven major themes, 1-familiarity with drive-thru community pharmacy service during COVID-19, 2-willingness toward this service during COVID-19, 3-perceived benefits toward drive-thru community pharmacy service during COVID-19, 4-perceived disadvantages toward this service, 5-barriers toward drive-thru community pharmacy service, 6-factors affecting the preference toward this service, and 7-facilitators to drive-thru community pharmacy service. Enhancing social distancing and preventing the spread of COVID-19 were the major perceived benefits of this service during COVID-19 as reported by participants. Conclusion Overall, community pharmacists reported positive attitudes toward drive-thru community pharmacy service during COVID-19. However, concerns about poor communication between the pharmacist and the patient, limited counselling, and dispensing errors were acknowledged. These concerns would need to be addressed to improve the provision of drive-thru community pharmacy service.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bayan F. Ababneh
- Discipline of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Siew Chin Ong
- Discipline of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Iffat Elbarazi
- Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Hisham Z. Aljamal
- Discipline of Orthopedics, Dr. Sulaiman AL Habib Medical Group, Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rabia Hussain
- Discipline of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
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Ravinetto R, Henriquez R, Srinivas PN, Bradley H, Coetzee R, Ochoa TJ, Semuto Ngabonziza JC, Mazarati JB, Van Damme W, van de Pas R, Vandaele N, Torreele E. Shaping the future of global access to safe, effective, appropriate and quality health products. BMJ Glob Health 2024; 9:e014425. [PMID: 38195155 PMCID: PMC10807033 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-014425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Raffaella Ravinetto
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerpen, Belgium
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Rodrigo Henriquez
- Maestría de Epidemiología y Salud Colectiva, Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar, Quito, Ecuador
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Hazel Bradley
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Renier Coetzee
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Theresa J Ochoa
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Jean Claude Semuto Ngabonziza
- Research, Innovation and Data Science Division, Rwanda Biomedical Center, Kigali, Rwanda
- Department of Clinical Biology, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
| | | | - Wim Van Damme
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | | | - Nico Vandaele
- Access-To-Medicines Research Centre, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Els Torreele
- , Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose, University College London, London, UK
- Independent Researcher and Advisor, Geneva, Switzerland
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Romero-Ibarguengoitia ME, López-Zamarrón KY, Hernández-Treviño MG, Gutierrez-González D, González-Cantú A, González Peña OI, Garza-Silva A. Development, validation and measurement of patient satisfaction questionnaire in Spanish in drive thru services adapted to hospital pharmacies during COVID-19 pandemic. Saudi Pharm J 2024; 32:101838. [PMID: 38162710 PMCID: PMC10757251 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2023.101838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Background There are no validation studies on patient satisfaction surveys in Spanish that can evaluate a hospital pharmacy drive-thru service. Objective To develop and apply a pharmacy drive-thru satisfaction survey in Spanish during the COVID-19 pandemic with an analysis of the instrument validation. Methods This was a qualitative study for developing, validating, and measuring patient satisfaction who used the drive-thru pharmacy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Content validity was obtained by a two-round Delphi and patient interview for apparent validity. The questionnaire was administered to 110 patients. The researchers made an item reduction by inter-item and item-total correlation analysis, stability validation by a test-retest, a test of reliability by Cronbach's alpha, and extraction of factors by an exploratory factorial analysis. Likewise, confirmatory factor analysis was developed to obtain a structural equation model based on generating an instrument of two sub-models of latent factors (service and place) with ten observed variables (items). Results A questionnaire was developed that relates six observable variables to the latent factor service and four observable variables to the latent factor place which are ten items based on a Likert scale from 1 to 5, obtaining a Cronbach's alpha = 0.901. The mean population satisfaction score was 4.523. The model presented a Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) of 0.026 (0.000-0.098), and standardized beta values greater than 0.2 according to the confirmatory factor analysis. Therefore, the goodness-of-fit of our model is consistent and the instrument of patient satisfaction with the use of drive-thru has been validated. Patient satisfaction had a mean of 4.9 points. Conclusions This study developed and validated a reliable scale that evaluates satisfaction in a hospital pharmacy drive-thru service during COVID-19 pandemic that can be applied in other Spanish speaking countries. A great percentage of the patients that were evaluated had good satisfaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Elena Romero-Ibarguengoitia
- Research and Education Department, Hospital Clinica Nova, Avenida del Bosque #139 Cuauhtemoc San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León 66450, Mexico
- Universidad de Monterrey, Escuela de medicina, Vicerrectoría de Ciencias de la Salud, Av. Ignacio Morones Prieto 4500-Pte, Zona Valle Poniente, San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León 66238, Mexico
| | - Katia Yackelyne López-Zamarrón
- Universidad de Monterrey, Escuela de medicina, Vicerrectoría de Ciencias de la Salud, Av. Ignacio Morones Prieto 4500-Pte, Zona Valle Poniente, San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León 66238, Mexico
| | - Mariana Georgina Hernández-Treviño
- Universidad de Monterrey, Escuela de medicina, Vicerrectoría de Ciencias de la Salud, Av. Ignacio Morones Prieto 4500-Pte, Zona Valle Poniente, San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León 66238, Mexico
| | - Dalia Gutierrez-González
- Research and Education Department, Hospital Clinica Nova, Avenida del Bosque #139 Cuauhtemoc San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León 66450, Mexico
- Universidad de Monterrey, Escuela de medicina, Vicerrectoría de Ciencias de la Salud, Av. Ignacio Morones Prieto 4500-Pte, Zona Valle Poniente, San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León 66238, Mexico
| | - Arnulfo González-Cantú
- Research and Education Department, Hospital Clinica Nova, Avenida del Bosque #139 Cuauhtemoc San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León 66450, Mexico
- Universidad de Monterrey, Escuela de medicina, Vicerrectoría de Ciencias de la Salud, Av. Ignacio Morones Prieto 4500-Pte, Zona Valle Poniente, San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León 66238, Mexico
| | - Omar Israel González Peña
- Research and Education Department, Hospital Clinica Nova, Avenida del Bosque #139 Cuauhtemoc San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León 66450, Mexico
- Evidence-Based Medicine Research Unit, Children’s Hospital of Mexico Federico Gómez, National Institute of Health, Dr. Márquez 162, Col. Doctores, Del. Cuauhtémoc, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
- Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (UNIR), Avenida de la Paz, 137, 26006 Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
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Khaddage-Soboh N, Tawil S. Navigating the crisis: A review of COVID-19 research and the importance of academic publications - The case of a private university in Lebanon. Heliyon 2023; 9:e22917. [PMID: 38282919 PMCID: PMC10812900 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives The threat of the Corona virus has had a profound global impact, prompting extensive discussions among academicians and medical researchers seeking to understand its implications across various fields. Consequently this review aims to explore the COVID-19 research approaches adopted at the Lebanese American University (LAU) between 2019 and 2022 and, to eventually shed light on the importance of the academic publications during this crisis period in the context of Lebanon. Design Data sources Eligibility criteria Studies related to "Coronavirus", "SARS-CoV-2," or "COVID-19″ were extracted from the SciVal database spanning the period 2019 to 2022. The identified studies, totaling 97 publications, were indexed in Scopus and Web of Science and underwent narrative analysis along with an evaluation using a predefined scale to determine their eligibility. The majority of the studies were literature reviews, followed by observational studies, modeling studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. Results The majority of the identified studies (31 %) were focused on the medical field, primarily the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Additionally, 22 % of studies discussed updates related to global finance and economic markets, while 18 % addressed the psychological burden of the pandemic. Other areas covered in the literature included the impact on performance, nutrition, tourism, politics, and telecommunication. Conclusion This study marks a pioneering endeavor that sparks a crucial dialogue regarding peer-reviewed scientific literature during a period of immense need for accurate information. The prevalence of literature reviews can be attributed to the demand for swift dissemination of preliminary findings and the increased call for COVID-19-related research. However, despite the abundance of publications in this specific domain, it is imperative for future research to shift its focus towards the development of novel therapies, preventive measures, psychological insights, and strategies to address the socioeconomic and financial burdens stemming from the pandemic. This study has the potential to establish a standardized framework for addressing similar crises across diverse fields and at various levels. Limitations The review readily acknowledges certain limitations. By solely relying on specific databases like Scopus and WoS, there is a possibility of inadvertently overlooking relevant studies. Although the study provides insights into the impact of COVID-19 across different fields and their respective publications, it is important to recognize that the continuous updates to databases and potential exclusions of related studies may have imposed constraints on the findings. Moreover, the urgency for expeditious peer-review during the pandemic may have heightened the chances of errors and diminished transparency. This urgency has unfortunately increased the risk of fraudulent activities and misconduct.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nada Khaddage-Soboh
- Adnan Kassar School of Business, Lebanese American University (LAU), Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Samah Tawil
- School of Medicine, Lebanese American University (LAU), Beirut, Lebanon
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Alfayez OM, Alfuraih SN, Alsalamah BI, Almendeel HM, Alkhezi OS, Alharbi S, Alwohaibi NA, Kamran Rasheed M. Metformin use among obese patients with prediabetes in Qassim, Saudi Arabia: An observational study. Saudi Pharm J 2023; 31:101694. [PMID: 37520674 PMCID: PMC10382924 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2023.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and aims The high prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes mellitus and its secondary complications in Saudi Arabia is a major healthcare concern. Evidence suggests that despite evidence-based efficacy and safety, metformin is underutilized in prediabetic obese patients. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the use of metformin in prediabetic obese patients in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. Methods Prediabetic patients' electronic health records were accessed and screened from 2017 to 2021. The inclusion criteria were patients with obesity (BMI ≥ 35) diagnosed with prediabetes, and who received metformin. Patients with chronic kidney disease and those using metformin for other diseases were excluded. The first major endpoint of this study was the rate of metformin use among obese, prediabetic individuals. The second major endpoint was the factors associated with metformin prescribing in our cohort. Descriptive statistics were used to report the primary and secondary outcomes. Data are presented as percentages, means, standard deviations (SDs), medians, and interquartile ranges, as appropriate. All analyses were conducted using Stata version 16.1. Results A total of 304 prediabetic patients were included in this study after screening the records of 1,789 patients. The average age was found to be 40, and the majority were female (72%). The average BMI was found to be 39.4 kg/m2, while the average HbA1c was 5.8%. In the entire sample, only 25 (8.22%) obese patients received metformin for diabetes prevention. Among obese patients with a BMI ≥ 30, 19 patients (8.7%) received metformin. Metformin users had higher odds of being on statins (OR 2.72, 95% CI 1.01 to 7.36; p = 0.049). Conclusion According to the study, metformin is not frequently prescribed to prediabetic obese individuals in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. This prevention strategy is a missed opportunity in the management of prediabetes in high-risk patients. Future studies are needed to investigate the root causes of the underuse of metformin and potential interventions to promote evidence-based practice in Saudi Arabia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osamah M. Alfayez
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | | | - Omar S. Alkhezi
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmacy Services, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Saad Alharbi
- Pharmacy services, Buraidah central hospital, Qassim, Saudi Arabai
| | | | - Muhammad Kamran Rasheed
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia
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Yenet A, Nibret G, Tegegne BA. Challenges to the Availability and Affordability of Essential Medicines in African Countries: A Scoping Review. CLINICOECONOMICS AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH 2023; 15:443-458. [PMID: 37332489 PMCID: PMC10276598 DOI: 10.2147/ceor.s413546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The availability and affordability of safe, effective, accessible, and high-quality essential medicines is a critical benchmark for achieving the right to good health, and it is also one of the goals of the global health development agenda. To that end, it is critical to conduct rigorous studies to identify the major challenges confronting developing countries, particularly those in Africa. Objective The purpose of this review was to identify the major challenges that Africans face in obtaining reasonably priced and readily available essential medicines. Methods Generally the Boolean operators "AND" and "OR" were employed. Making progress also involves using duplicate checks, field definitions, and comparisons of articles and criteria. The analysis included all English-language papers published in any African country between 2005 and 2022, depending on the year of publication. The technique searches electronic databases for key phrases related to essential medication availability and affordability, such as PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, Plos Medicine, and Google Scholar. Results A total of 91 articles; by using search engines and handpicking including duplicates, were primarily searched. The electronic database search earned 78 articles while only eleven studies met the criteria for review and were reviewed of which 5 (50%) were from East African countries. Inadequate human resources, financial constraints, high cost of available medications on the market, poor inventory management, manual consumption forecasting, inefficiencies in drug registration, and trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights agreement regulations are all obstacles to the availability of essential medicines in African nations. Conclusion This review revealed that in Africa, the availability and affordability of essential medicines face numerous challenges. The primary challenge, according to the review research, is a lack of adequate financing to pay for an appropriate set of essential medications, which account for a significant portion of household spending.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aderaw Yenet
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
| | - Getinet Nibret
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
| | - Bantayehu Addis Tegegne
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
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10
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Rasheed MK, Hasan SS, Altowayan WM, Farooqui M, Ud-Din Babar Z. Community pharmacist's preparedness to provide patient-centred care in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Pharm J 2023; 31:801-807. [PMID: 37228322 PMCID: PMC10203743 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2023.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Community pharmacy practice in Saudi Arabia is evolving and needs to be at par with the developed world. Community pharmacists can play a vital role in bridging gaps in the delivery of healthcare services by providing patient-centred care to patients and contributing toward the healthcare transformation plan of vision 2030 of Saudi Arabia. The present study is aimed at evaluating the knowledge, attitude, and practices of community pharmacists in delivering patient-centred care services. Method A nationwide cross-sectional survey using a validated and pre-tested 27-item self-reported questionnaire was conducted amongst 301 (86.4% male, 13/6% female) community pharmacists from all regions of Saudi Arabia. Both descriptive and inferential analysis was employed using the SPSS version, with 0.05 as the level of significance. Results Community pharmacists from chain pharmacy groups, female gender and staff community pharmacists had statistically better overall practice standards, knowledge, and attitude to conduct patient-centred care services (p less than 0.01). The majority of community pharmacists would expect extra remuneration and participation in structured professional skills development programs to provide patient-centred care efficiently. Inaccessibility of patient data from healthcare facilities, the unavailability of informative literature, and administrative workload were among the barriers cited in delivering patient-centred care. Conclusion The study findings show that community pharmacists could play a significant role in providing patient-centred care and contribute to the achievement of the healthcare reform agenda of Saudi Arabia. However, some obstacles must be overcome before this practice can be shifted, including the introduction of a formalized continuing professional development program, financial incentives, and a decrease in the administrative burden on pharmacists. The results of this study may help policymakers in Saudi Arabia better comprehend the country's existing approach to community pharmacy practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Kamran Rasheed
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia
- School of Pharmacy, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, United Kingdom
| | - Syed Shahzad Hasan
- School of Pharmacy, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, United Kingdom
| | - Waleed M. Altowayan
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maryam Farooqui
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zaheer Ud-Din Babar
- School of Pharmacy, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, United Kingdom
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11
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Ying LTL, Yarema MC, Bousman CA. Dispensing patterns of mental health medications before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta, Canada: An interrupted time series analysis. Int J Psychiatry Med 2023; 58:172-184. [PMID: 35502998 PMCID: PMC9066241 DOI: 10.1177/00912174221084818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the general population in all aspects of life. Estimates of mental health medication dispensing in Alberta were investigated to elucidate areas of need within mental health and pharmacy practice during the pandemic. METHODS We employed an interrupted time series analysis using linear regression models to estimate community and outpatient medication dispensing trends of 46 medications used to treat mental health disorders. Three parameters were examined. The first was the medication dispensing slope before COVID-19. The second was the immediate effect of COVID-19 on dispensing (i.e., the difference in dispensing rate between the month before and after the first case of COVID-19) and the third was the medication dispensing slope during COVID-19. RESULTS Dispensing rates of 61% (n = 34) of the examined medications remained similar before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, eight medications (i.e., amitriptyline, escitalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, bupropion, desvenlafaxine, venlafaxine, and oxazepam) showed an immediate and significant increase in dispensing rate following the onset of the pandemic that was sustained over the first 13-months of the pandemic. CONCLUSION Initial increases in dispensing patterns of antidepressants may be attributed to a "stockpiling phenomenon" but the sustained higher levels of dispensing suggest an unfavorable shift in the population's mental health. Monitoring of medication dispensing patterns during COVID-19 may serve as a useful indicator of the population's mental health during the current pandemic and better prepare community pharmacists in future pandemic planning, medication dispensing strategies, and care of chronic medical conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa TL Ying
- Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Mark C Yarema
- Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada,Poison and Drug Information Service, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB, Canada,Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB, Canada,Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Chad A Bousman
- Departments of Medical Genetics, Psychiatry, Physiology & Pharmacology, and Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada,Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, AB, Canada,Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada,Chad A Bousman, Department of Medical Genetics, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada.
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12
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Hatem G, Itani R, Ajrouche R, Abbas N, Farah R, Goossens M, Awada S. Knowledge, perception and acceptance of generic drugs in the general Lebanese population: A cross-sectional survey among adults. THE JOURNAL OF MEDICINE ACCESS 2023; 7:27550834221147789. [PMID: 36685148 PMCID: PMC9850132 DOI: 10.1177/27550834221147789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Background Many governments encouraged generic use to enhance health equality and minimise health expenditure. The lack of knowledge and acceptance of generic medicines are the main barriers to their use. Objectives This study aimed to assess population knowledge and perception towards generic drugs, identify their primary sources of information and examine which variables are independently related to their acceptance. Design An observational cross-sectional study was performed targeting the Lebanese adult population. Methods Overall, 385 patients participated in the study. Data were collected using a uniform survey from six public healthcare centres. Results The participants reported a distrust towards generic drugs; they either said that they were not as effective as the brand (36.9%), were of less quality than the brand (38.5%) or had more side effects than the brand (38.4%). Around 52% said they would never buy a generic drug, and two-thirds (68.6%) preferred using a brand drug over a generic one. After adjusting for socio-demographics, a high income (odds ratio (OR) = 3.7), knowing that brands and generics have the same active ingredients (OR = 2.28) and that brands and generics were equally effective (OR = 6.46) were the strongest independent predictors for the willingness to buy generic drugs. Conclusion A lack of knowledge and misperceptions about generic drugs limited the use of generic drugs, and therefore must be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georges Hatem
- Clinical and Epidemiological Research
Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon,Faculty of Medicine, University of
Porto, Porto, Portugal,Georges Hatem, Faculty of Medicine,
University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto,
Portugal.
| | - Rana Itani
- Clinical and Epidemiological Research
Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon
| | - Roula Ajrouche
- Clinical and Epidemiological Research
Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon
| | - Nour Abbas
- Clinical and Epidemiological Research
Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon
| | - Rita Farah
- Clinical and Epidemiological Research
Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon
| | | | - Sanaa Awada
- Clinical and Epidemiological Research
Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon
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Alemu BA, Hailemariam FH. Price, Availability and Affordability of Anti-Cancer Medicines in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Risk Manag Healthc Policy 2022; 15:2421-2433. [PMID: 36601534 PMCID: PMC9807119 DOI: 10.2147/rmhp.s395456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Cytotoxic drugs are essential treatments available for patients with cancer. There are concerns that unavailability and high prices of cancer medicines may limit patient access. Since information on availability, prices and affordability for cancer medicine is lacking for several countries, particularly for lower income countries like Ethiopia, it will be difficult to know the real situation of those medications' access. Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess availability, affordability and price of anti-cancer medications, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods The study was cross-sectional using a modified form of the WHO/HAI methodology of measuring medicine price, availability and affordability in public, private, Kenema municipal and Red Cross Pharmacies found in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Data on the availability and price of 47 cytotoxic medications for both lowest priced generics and originator brands were collected in 3 public, 6 private and 2 NGO pharmacies which are expected to dispense cytotoxic medications in Addis Ababa. The data were entered and analyzed using WHO/HAI data entry and analysis form. Results were presented in tables and figures. Results The majority of the anti-cancer medications assessed were not available and the few available medicines were unaffordable. The lowest priced generic were relatively more available (34.8%) than the originator brand medications (2.8%) in the public sector. Generally, the availability of anti-cancer medicine differs when comparing the public, private and other sectors. The availability of cytotoxic medications was 18.8%, 5.3% and 8.8% in the public, private and other sectors. The prices of cytotoxic medications available in the private sector were higher than the public and other sectors. All of the medications except for anastrazole were unaffordable. Conclusion Medicines for cancer treatment are unavailable and the few available medicines are unaffordable in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Different interventions should be done to improve access to cytotoxic medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bemnet Atlaw Alemu
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Science, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Fikreselam Habte Hailemariam
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Science, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,Correspondence: Fikreselam Habte Hailemariam, Tel +251 913 39 40 44, Email
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14
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Debie A, Khatri RB, Assefa Y. Successes and challenges of health systems governance towards universal health coverage and global health security: a narrative review and synthesis of the literature. Health Res Policy Syst 2022; 20:50. [PMID: 35501898 PMCID: PMC9059443 DOI: 10.1186/s12961-022-00858-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The shift in the global burden of disease from communicable to noncommunicable was a factor in mobilizing support for a broader post-Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) health agenda. To curb these and other global health problems, 193 Member States of the United Nations (UN) became signatories of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and committed to achieving universal health coverage (UHC) by 2030. In the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the importance of health systems governance (HSG) is felt now more than ever for addressing the pandemic and continuing to provide essential health services. However, little is known about the successes and challenges of HSG with respect to UHC and health security. This study, therefore, aims to synthesize the evidence and identify successes and challenges of HSG towards UHC and health security. Methods We conducted a structured narrative review of studies published through 28 July 2021. We searched the existing literature using three databases: PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science. Search terms included three themes: HSG, UHC and health security. We synthesized the findings using the five core functions of HSG: policy formulation and strategic plans; intelligence; regulation; collaboration and coalition; and accountability. Results A total of 58 articles were included in the final review. We identified that context-specific health policy and health financing modalities helped to speed up the progress towards UHC and health security. Robust health intelligence, intersectoral collaboration and coalition were also essential to combat the pandemic and ensure the delivery of essential health services. On the contrary, execution of a one-size-fits-all HSG approach, lack of healthcare funding, corruption, inadequate health workforce, and weak regulatory and health government policies were major challenges to achieving UHC and health security. Conclusions Countries, individually and collectively, need strong HSG to speed up the progress towards UHC and health security. Decentralization of health services to grass root levels, support of stakeholders, fair contribution and distribution of resources are essential to support the implementation of programmes towards UHC and health security. It is also vital to ensure independent regulatory accreditation of organizations in the health system and to integrate quality- and equity-related health service indicators into the national social protection monitoring and evaluation system; these will speed up the progress towards UHC and health security. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12961-022-00858-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayal Debie
- Department of Health Systems and Policy, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, P.O. Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia.
| | - Resham B Khatri
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Yibeltal Assefa
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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15
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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: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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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16
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Karout S, Khojah HMJ, Itani R, Jaffal F, El-Lakany A. Assessing the pharmaceutical care provision to suspected COVID-19 patients in community pharmacies: a simulated patient study. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:467. [PMID: 35397543 PMCID: PMC8994087 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-07870-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the wake of COVID-19, community pharmacists (CP) were called upon to free up healthcare providers to treat more serious conditions and alleviate overcrowded healthcare centers. CPs were placed under tremendous pressure, where many patients primarily sought their health advice. This situation raised concerns about the preparedness of CPs in facing these challenges. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the appropriateness of pharmaceutical care provided by CPs to patients with suspected COVID-19 and to investigate their communication skills. METHODS A simulated patient (SP) study was conducted among randomly selected community pharmacies in Beirut, Lebanon. Each pharmacy was visited by the SP who complained of fever and loss of smell sensation. Interactions between the attending pharmacist and the suspected COVID-19 patient were documented directly after each visit in a standardized data collection form. RESULTS More than half of the CPs (56%) did not retrieve any relevant information to assess the patient's condition. While pharmacists' responses were limited to one to two recommendations, with the majority recommending the patient to perform the PCR test (90%). Inappropriate recommendations made by the CPs included mainly the confirmation that the patient had COVID-19 without prior testing (9%), and prescribing either an antimicrobial drug (5%) or dietary supplements (20%), claiming that the latter are essential to boost the patient's immunity. As for the pharmacist-patient communication skills, the mean total score was 2.25 ± 0.79 (out of 4), displaying nonoptimal and ineffective communication. CONCLUSION An unsatisfactory and suboptimal provision of pharmaceutical care to a suspected COVID-19 case was evident. This may be a public health threat, particularly for developing countries that lack an efficient and unified healthcare system. The findings should alert health authorities to support and guide community pharmacists in assisting suspected COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samar Karout
- Pharmacy Practice Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beirut Arab University, P.O.Box: 11-5020, Riad El Solh, Beirut, 1107 2809, Lebanon
| | - Hani M J Khojah
- Clinical and Hospital Pharmacy Department, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, P.O.Box: 30051, Madinah, 41477, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Rania Itani
- Pharmacy Practice Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beirut Arab University, P.O.Box: 11-5020, Riad El Solh, Beirut, 1107 2809, Lebanon.
| | - Fatima Jaffal
- Pharmacy Practice Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beirut Arab University, P.O.Box: 11-5020, Riad El Solh, Beirut, 1107 2809, Lebanon
| | - Abdalla El-Lakany
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beirut Arab University, P.O.Box: 11-5020, Riad El Solh, Beirut, 1107 2809, Lebanon
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17
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Forward to a methodological proposal to support cancer patients: the dialogics' contribution for the precision care. Med Oncol 2022; 39:75. [PMID: 35195776 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-021-01644-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
In scientific context, the first step for scientific theoretical and methodological production is the epistemological analysis. What are assumptions for interaction between oncology and psychology? What are the conditions for psycho-oncological contribution in treating cancer? Furthermore, what are epistemological observations about the current developments in cancer field? And what are implications for sciences treating patients with neoplasms? Due to advances in oncology and in sciences supporting oncology, epistemological questions focus on the object of study of the integration between oncology and psychology. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to describe a proposal of theoretical and methodological frame suitable for current clinical and research needs in cancer patients asking for psychological support. Epistemological analysis lets the health professionals and researchers observe there are sciences using formal languages and sciences using ordinary language. Currently, personalized approach is pursued by oncology, identifying specific patients' characteristics to define the proper treatment process: not only tumor characteristics but also behavioral and psychological features. Cancer patients features can be found in patients' narrations about neoplasms: narration represents the core of clinical and research in psychoncology. Therefore when formalized, language provides the connection between oncology and psychology. Language used by patients and all the roles involved in the care of cancer patients can become a measure of these patients' features. Dialogics science measuring the ordinary language allows the ordinary language formalization, pursuing a personalized medicine.
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18
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Yayehrad AT, Siraj EA, Yimenu DK, Ambaye AS, Derseh MT, Tamene AA, Yayeh TG. Multidisciplinary Effort and Integrative Preparedness: A Lesson for the Foreseen Multivariate COVID-19 Pandemic Flare-Up. J Multidiscip Healthc 2021; 14:2905-2921. [PMID: 34703243 PMCID: PMC8524181 DOI: 10.2147/jmdh.s332049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been a year and a half since the world suffered the horrific COVID-19 pandemic which has still continued becoming a prominent headache for the whole world. Recently, we are facing the second and third wave of multivariate outbreaks with great intensity of transmission which renders huge disaster. Presently, new strains of the virus are emerging that are predicted to be resistant for the current vaccines and other management approaches. It needs collaborative and coordinated role at professional, facility, regional, and global levels to ameliorate the pandemic by monitoring the existing and emerging variants. This review addressed the multidisciplinary roles in patient screening and detection, emergency management, moderate and critical care, vaccination, complication prevention, comorbidity management, psychological therapy, and digital health care. The inevitable roles of academicians, researchers, private health sectors, policy makers, regulatory bodies, and partners are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashagrachew Tewabe Yayehrad
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Social Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Ebrahim Abdela Siraj
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Social Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Dawit Kumilachew Yimenu
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Social Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Abyou Seyfu Ambaye
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Social Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mizan-Tepi University, Mizan-Aman, Ethiopia
| | - Manaye Tamrie Derseh
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Social Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Social Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mizan-Tepi University, Mizan-Aman, Ethiopia
| | - Andargachew Almaw Tamene
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
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Duch R, Roope LSJ, Violato M, Fuentes Becerra M, Robinson TS, Bonnefon JF, Friedman J, Loewen PJ, Mamidi P, Melegaro A, Blanco M, Vargas J, Seither J, Candio P, Gibertoni Cruz A, Hua X, Barnett A, Clarke PM. Citizens from 13 countries share similar preferences for COVID-19 vaccine allocation priorities. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2026382118. [PMID: 34526400 DOI: 10.1101/2021.01.31.21250866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
How does the public want a COVID-19 vaccine to be allocated? We conducted a conjoint experiment asking 15,536 adults in 13 countries to evaluate 248,576 profiles of potential vaccine recipients who varied randomly on five attributes. Our sample includes diverse countries from all continents. The results suggest that in addition to giving priority to health workers and to those at high risk, the public favors giving priority to a broad range of key workers and to those with lower income. These preferences are similar across respondents of different education levels, incomes, and political ideologies, as well as across most surveyed countries. The public favored COVID-19 vaccines being allocated solely via government programs but were highly polarized in some developed countries on whether taking a vaccine should be mandatory. There is a consensus among the public on many aspects of COVID-19 vaccination, which needs to be taken into account when developing and communicating rollout strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond Duch
- Nuffield College, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 1NF, United Kingdom;
| | - Laurence S J Roope
- Health Economics Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LF, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health Research Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
| | - Mara Violato
- Health Economics Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LF, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health Research Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
| | | | - Thomas S Robinson
- School of Government and International Affairs, Durham University, Durham DH1 3TU, United Kingdom
| | - Jean-Francois Bonnefon
- Toulouse School of Economics, CNRS, Université Toulouse Capitole, 31000 Toulouse, France
| | - Jorge Friedman
- Facultad de Administracion y Economia, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago 9170022, Chile
| | - Peter John Loewen
- Department of Political Science, Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S1A4, Canada
| | - Pavan Mamidi
- Center for Social and Behavioral Change, Ashoka University, Sonipat, Haryana 131029, India
| | - Alessia Melegaro
- Dondena Centre for Research on Social Dynamics and Public Policies, Department of Social and Political Science, Bocconi University, 20136 Milan, Italy
| | - Mariana Blanco
- Facultad de Economia, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111711, D.C. Colombia
| | - Juan Vargas
- Facultad de Economia, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111711, D.C. Colombia
| | - Julia Seither
- Facultad de Economia, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111711, D.C. Colombia
| | - Paolo Candio
- National Institute for Health Research Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
- Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Ana Gibertoni Cruz
- Health Economics Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LF, United Kingdom
| | - Xinyang Hua
- Centre For Health Policy, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Adrian Barnett
- Institute of Health Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia
| | - Philip M Clarke
- Health Economics Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LF, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health Research Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
- Centre For Health Policy, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
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Jones W, Kaoser R, Fischer B. Patterns, trends and determinants of medical opioid utilization in Canada 2005-2020: characterizing an era of intensive rise and fall. Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy 2021; 16:65. [PMID: 34521418 PMCID: PMC8438558 DOI: 10.1186/s13011-021-00396-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Into the 21st century, the conflation of high rates of chronic pain, systemic gaps in treatment availability and access, and the arrival of potent new opioid medications (e.g., slow-release oxycodone) facilitated strong increases in medical opioid dispensing in Canada. These persisted until post-2010 alongside rising opioid-related adverse (e.g., morbidity/mortality) outcomes. We examine patterns, trends and determinants of opioid dispensing in Canada, and specifically its 10 provinces, for the years 2005-2020. METHODS Raw data on prescription opioid dispensing were obtained from a large national community-based pharmacy database (IQVIA/Compuscript), converted into Defined-Daily-Doses/1,000 population/day for 'strong' and 'weak' opioid categories per standard methods. Dispensing by opioid category and formulations by province/year was assessed descriptively; regression analysis was applied to examine possible segmentation of over-time strong opioid dispensing. RESULTS All provinces reported starkly increasing strong opioid dispensing peaking 2011-2016, and subsequent marked declines. About half reported lower strong opioid dispensing in 2020 compared to 2005, with continuous inter-provincial differences of > 100 %; weak opioids also declined post-2011/12. Segmented regression suggests breakpoints for strong opioids in 2011/12 and 2015/16, coinciding with main interventions (e.g., selective opioid delisting, new prescribing guidelines) towards more restrictive opioid utilization control. CONCLUSIONS We characterized an era of marked rise and fall, while featuring stark inter-provincial heterogeneity in opioid dispensing in Canada. While little evidence for improvements in pain care outcomes exists, the starkly inverting opioid utilization have been associated with extensive population-level harms (e.g., misuse, morbidity, mortality) over-time. This national case study raises fundamental questions for opioid-related health policy and practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wayne Jones
- Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction (CARMHA), Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Suite 2400, 515 W. Hastings Street, British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Ridhwana Kaoser
- Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction (CARMHA), Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Suite 2400, 515 W. Hastings Street, British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Benedikt Fischer
- Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction (CARMHA), Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Suite 2400, 515 W. Hastings Street, British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Auckland, 1023, Grafton, New Zealand.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 250 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), R. Sena Madureira, 1500 - Vila Clementino, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Thong KS, Selvaratanam M, Tan CP, Cheah MF, Oh HL, Lee PM, Chew CC, Chang CT, Lee JCY. Pharmacy preparedness in handling COVID-19 pandemic: a sharing experience from a Malaysian tertiary hospital. J Pharm Policy Pract 2021; 14:61. [PMID: 34275491 PMCID: PMC8286857 DOI: 10.1186/s40545-021-00343-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This commentary shares the experience of a hospital pharmacy department in providing healthcare services during the COVID-19 outbreak in Malaysia. During this pandemic, the medication delivery system is redesigned to minimize contact among patients and the health care providers. Also, the remote medication monitoring system was implemented to deliver pharmaceutical care for inpatients. Communication technology was used to assist the pharmacist in medication counseling. QR codes to access videos demonstrating the use of devices were made available for patients. Pharmacists were also tasked with the procurement of personal protective equipment and medications needed requiring special approval from the Ministry of Health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kah Shuen Thong
- Pharmacy Department, Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Raja Ashman Shah, 30450, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
| | - Manimegahlai Selvaratanam
- Pharmacy Department, Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Raja Ashman Shah, 30450, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
| | - Chiew Ping Tan
- Pharmacy Department, Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Raja Ashman Shah, 30450, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
| | - Meng Fei Cheah
- Pharmacy Department, Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Raja Ashman Shah, 30450, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
| | - Hoey Lin Oh
- Pharmacy Department, Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Raja Ashman Shah, 30450, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
| | - Pooi Mun Lee
- Pharmacy Department, Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Raja Ashman Shah, 30450, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
| | - Chii-Chii Chew
- Clinical Research Centre, Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Raja Ashman Shah, 30450, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
| | - Chee-Tao Chang
- Clinical Research Centre, Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Raja Ashman Shah, 30450, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
| | - Jason Choong Yin Lee
- Perak Pharmaceutical Services Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
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Hasen G, Edris R, Chala G, Tefera Y, Hussen H, Tekassa T, Suleman S. Medicines dispensing practice during the era of COVID-19 pandemic: a commentary. J Pharm Policy Pract 2021; 14:1. [PMID: 33397497 PMCID: PMC7780590 DOI: 10.1186/s40545-020-00285-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic is putting a huge strain on healthcare systems and is a turning point for the beginning of a global health crisis of an unprecedented condition. As such, the provision of quality pharmacy services particularly, dispensing practice with pre-existing challenges in resource-limited settings is a grave concern in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, in this commentary we described the pattern of dispensing practice in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic by evaluating the current condition of drug dispensing practice in drug retail outlets of Jimma Town.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemmechu Hasen
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jimma University, P.O. Box: 378, Jimma, Ethiopia. .,Laboratory of Drug Quality (JuLaDQ), Jimma University, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.
| | - Rashed Edris
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jimma University, P.O. Box: 378, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Gadisa Chala
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jimma University, P.O. Box: 378, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Yesuneh Tefera
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jimma University, P.O. Box: 378, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Hawi Hussen
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Tamirat Tekassa
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jimma University, P.O. Box: 378, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Sultan Suleman
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jimma University, P.O. Box: 378, Jimma, Ethiopia.,Laboratory of Drug Quality (JuLaDQ), Jimma University, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
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Jnr BA, Nweke LO, Al-Sharafi MA. Applying software-defined networking to support telemedicine health consultation during and post Covid-19 era. HEALTH AND TECHNOLOGY 2020; 11:395-403. [PMID: 33163323 PMCID: PMC7605874 DOI: 10.1007/s12553-020-00502-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The novel coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) infection has altered the society, economy, and entire healthcare system. Whilst this pandemic has presented the healthcare system with unprecedented challenges, it has rapidly promoted the adoption of telemedicine to deliver healthcare at a distance. Telemedicine is the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for collecting, organizing, storing, retrieving, and exchanging medical information. But it is faced with the limitations of conventional IP-based protocols which makes it challenging to provide Quality of Service (QoS) for telemedicine due to issues arising from network congestion. Likewise, medical professionals adopting telemedicine are affected with low QoS during health consultations with outpatients due to increased internet usage. Therefore, this study proposes a Software-Defined Networking (SDN) based telemedicine architecture to provide QoS during telemedicine health consultations. This study utilizes secondary data from existing research works in the literature to provide a roadmap for the application of SDN to improve QoS in telemedicine during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings from this study present a practical approach for applying SDN in telemedicine to provide appropriate bandwidth and facilitate real time transmission of medical data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bokolo Anthony Jnr
- Department of Computer Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NTNU, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Livinus Obiora Nweke
- Information Security and Communication Technology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Gjøvik, Norway
| | - Mohammed A Al-Sharafi
- Faculty of Computing, College of Computing and Applied Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, 26300 Gambang, Malaysia
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