Clinical Knowledge, Attitude, and Perceptions of Community Pharmacists Towards Pharmacogenomics - A Cross-Sectional Study from Saudi Arabia

Empowering precision medicine: Insights from a national survey on pharmacogenomics knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions among community pharmacists in the UAE

Background

Community pharmacists are essential to pharmacogenomics implementation because they can help trainers, clinical advisors, and other medical professionals understand the importance of pharmacogenomics and encourage them to use it in their practice. This study is to evaluate the community pharmacists' understanding, attitudes, and perceptions of pharmacogenomics in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Methods

Professionals employed at community pharmacies in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and the Northern Emirates participated in a cross-sectional study design. From July 2023 to February 2024, five pharmacy students in their last year conducted the survey. The study team employed a structured questionnaire to collect data in addition to conducting in-person interviews. The study questionnaire comprised three distinct sections namely, demographic information, knowledge of pharmacogenomics concepts, and perceptions regarding pharmacogenomics.

Results

A total of 586 pharmacists enrolled in the study. The average knowledge score regarding pharmacogenomics was 75.1 % with a 95 % confidence interval (CI) of [72.4 %, 77.7 %]. The average attitude score toward pharmacogenomics was 67.5 % with a 95 % CI of [66.3 %, 68.7 %]. Better pharmacogenomics knowledge among several groups: independent pharmacies (OR 1.7; 95 % CI 1.2-2.4), Pharmacists in Charge (OR 1.4; 95 % CI 1.3-2.02), pharmacists with 11-15 years of experience (OR 2.1; 95 % CI 1.4-4.2), graduates from international universities (OR 4.6; 95 % CI 1.6-12.9), and those who received training on pharmacogenomics (OR 11.9; 95 % CI 3.3-14.5). Similarly, better attitude scores were observed among independent pharmacies (OR 1.5; 95 % CI 1.1-2.1), Pharmacists in Charge (OR 1.5; 95 % CI 1.07-2.1), pharmacists with 16-20 years of experience (OR 2.1; 95 % CI 1.16-3.7), graduates regional universities (OR 1.47; 95 % CI 1.05-2.1), and those who received training on pharmacogenomics (OR 4.8; 95 % CI 3.2-7.3).

Conclusion

The positive attitudes toward pharmacogenomics that we found in our research indicate that community pharmacists in the United Arab Emirates are beginning to realize the potential advantages of pharmacogenomics in terms of improving patient care. Policies ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of genetic information are also necessary in considering concerns about the availability of genetic test results to insurance companies and potential employers.

Investigation of community pharmacists' knowledge and attitudes of pharmacogenomics testing: implication for improved pharmacogenomic testing practice

BACKGROUND

Community pharmacists must be well-equipped to advance pharmacogenomics services. Nevertheless, limited data is available regarding pharmacists' knowledge and attitudes toward pharmacogenomics testing. The present study aimed to evaluate community pharmacists' knowledge and attitudes toward pharmacogenomics testing in the UAE.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, a validated, online, self-administered survey, was randomly distributed to community pharmacists across the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

RESULTS

The participants demonstrated poor knowledge about pharmacogenomic testing (median score < 8). Having 10-29 (Adjusted odds ration [AOR]: 0.038; 95% CI: 0.01-0.146, p = 0.001) and 30-49 (AOR: 0.097; 95% CI: 0.04-0.237, p = 0.001) patients per day was associated with poorer knowledge. Also, receiving 10-29 (AOR: 0.046; 95% CI: 0.005-0.401, p = 0.005), 30-49 (AOR: 0.025; 95% CI: 0.003-0.211, p = 0.001), and > 50 (AOR: 0.049; 95% CI: 0.005-0.458, p = 0.008) prescriptions decreased the odds of having good knowledge. Around half (43.9%) of the participants did not show a positive attitude toward pharmacogenomic testing (median score < 11). Having 30-49 patients per day (AOR: 5.351; 95% CI: 2.414-11.860, p = 0.001) increased the odds of good knowledge while receiving 10-29 (AOR: 0.133; 95% CI: 0.056-0.315, p = 0.001) and 30-49 (AOR: 0.111; 95% CI: 0.049-0.252, p = 0.001) prescriptions a day were associated with decreased odds of positive attitude toward the pharmacogenomics testing.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings indicate a lack of knowledge and less-than-ideal attitudes among community pharmacists regarding pharmacogenomics testing. Enhanced efforts focused on educational initiatives and training activities related to pharmacogenomics testing is needed. Additionally, reducing workload can facilitate better knowledge acquisition and help mitigate unfavorable attitudes.

Community pharmacists awareness, perceptions, and opinions of artificial intelligence: A cross-sectional study in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND

Several revolutions are currently taking place in the healthcare industry to provide accurate, reliable, and valid healthcare to patients. Among these is artificial intelligence (AI).

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the CP's awareness, perceptions, and opinions of AI in health care among community pharmacists.

METHODS

This cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted over 3 months in 2023 using structured prevalidated 34 items questionnaires.

RESULTS

In this study, 94.5% (n= 258) of the CPs were aware of AI, yet 25.6% (n= 70) believed that AI would eventually replace healthcare professionals. However, 63.4% (n= 173) of the CPs concurred that AI is a technology that supports healthcare workers. 12.8% of the CPs believed that there is a risk of losing their jobs if AI is widely used in Saudi Arabia, but 68.9% (n= 188) of them considered that healthcare professionals will benefit from the extensive use of AI. Eighty-four percent of CPs (n= 232) agreed or strongly agreed that AI decreases drug mistakes in clinical practice. Similarly, 86% of the CPs (n= 235) concurred that AI makes it easier for patients to access the service. In contrast, almost 58% of the CPs (n= 232) agreed that AI makes it easier for healthcare professionals to acquire information, and 87.9% of the CPs (n= 240) said that AI helps them make better decisions.

CONCLUSION

This study concluded that most of the CPs were aware of AI and agreed that AI is a tool that helps healthcare professionals. In addition, the majority of the CPs thought that AI adoption in healthcare practice will benefit healthcare practitioners.