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Latonen S, Neuvonen E, Juppo AM, Seeck H, Airaksinen M. Crisis management in community pharmacies during a pandemic. Res Social Adm Pharm 2024; 20:940-948. [PMID: 38945767 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2024.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the COVID-19 pandemic required community pharmacies to implement several adaptation strategies to ensure medicines' and services' availability, related empirical research based on crisis management theory is lacking. OBJECTIVE This study sought to holistically depict crisis management in Finnish community pharmacies and explore whether (1) pre-existing crisis plans, (2) crisis teams, (3) shared decision-making or (4) collaboration and communication with external stakeholders can protect staff resilience, pharmacy owners' resilience, organisational cohesion ('team spirit') and pharmacies' resources or finances during the pandemic. METHODS A cross-sectional survey was developed based on the crisis management process model and sent to Finnish community pharmacy owners (n = 602) during the pandemic's second wave in October-November 2020. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and logistic regression analysis was performed to explore effects of crisis management efforts. Open-field responses were analysed qualitatively using deductive content analysis. RESULTS In total, 221 (36.7 %) pharmacy owners participated in the study. Pharmacies responded to the pandemic with increased order volumes and new suppliers, home deliveries and remote consultations, hand sanitiser production and additional customer counselling concerning the COVID-19. Shared decision-making with pharmacy colleagues (p = 0.025) and collaboration with peers or stakeholders in the supply chain (p = 0.015) protected pharmacy owners' resilience during the pandemic. Additionally, shared decision-making protected pharmacies' finances (p = 0.040). Crisis teams or collaboration with social and healthcare operators did not provide advantage to pharmacies. However, pre-existing pandemic plans associated with reduction of pharmacies' resources (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS Community pharmacies responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with several measures to ensure the continuity of pharmaceutical services and care and the availability of medicines, disinfectants and personal protective equipment. Developing shared decision-making in pharmacies and active collaboration with peers and supply-chain stakeholders could improve pharmacies' finances and their owners' resilience in future crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Latonen
- Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5 E (PL 56), 00014, Finland.
| | - E Neuvonen
- Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5 E (PL 56), 00014, Finland
| | - A M Juppo
- Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5 E (PL 56), 00014, Finland
| | - H Seeck
- Department of Social Sciences, LUT University, Yliopistonkatu 34, 53850, Lappeenranta, Finland; Department of Media & Communications, The London School of Economics and Political Science, Houghton Street, London, WC2A 2AE, UK
| | - M Airaksinen
- Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5 E (PL 56), 00014, Finland
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Alnahar SA, Darwish RM, Al Qasas SZ, Al Shabani MM, Bates I. Identifying training needs of practising community pharmacists in Jordan-a self-assessment study. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:712. [PMID: 38853255 PMCID: PMC11163785 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-11069-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Being the professional membership body for pharmacists in Jordan, the Jordan Pharmacists Association (JPA) took the initiative to establish a training centre for practising pharmacists. This study aims to identify the self-assessed training priorities of community pharmacists in Jordan. METHODS In the period between August and October 2022, an online self-administered questionnaire was distributed using a variety of participants' identification and recruitment approaches. The questionnaire targeted currently practising community pharmacists. Data were analysed descriptively and inferentially. RESULTS In total, 470 community pharmacists participated in this study. Of 470 participants, 307 (65.3%) were employees, of which 206 were full-time employees. Results showed that only 97 (21%) had access to an in-house training programme or scheme. Self-assessment of training needs highlighted differences between the three competencies clusters. While administrative and managerial skills and competencies were more frequently prioritised on average than the other two clusters, interpersonal and communication skills were needed the least. Evidence showed a significant difference between female and male participants regarding the need for training addressing maternity and early childhood health training issues. Lastly, the role-based comparison showed that, compared to pharmacy owners, employees had a significantly higher need for training related to bookkeeping and taxation returns preparation and how to handle and manage records of narcotic and controlled medicines. CONCLUSIONS If training and development programmes are tailored to address specific needs in administrative, clinical, and interpersonal competencies, community pharmacists have the potential to enhance public health, expand their role, provide patient-centred care, and support the national healthcare system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saja A Alnahar
- Institute of Public Health, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
- Honorary Research Fellow, Department of Primary Care and Public Health-Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - Rula M Darwish
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Shatha Z Al Qasas
- Training Department, The Jordanian Pharmacists Association, Amman, Jordan
| | - Mayada M Al Shabani
- The Jordanian Pharmacists Association, Amman, Jordan
- Al Shaima'a Pharmacy, Amman, Jordan
| | - Ian Bates
- School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, UK
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Immonen H, Raekallio M, Holmström AR. Promoting veterinary medication safety - Exploring the competencies of community pharmacy professionals in veterinary pharmacotherapy. Vet Anim Sci 2023; 21:100310. [PMID: 37664413 PMCID: PMC10468355 DOI: 10.1016/j.vas.2023.100310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The science of veterinary medicine is currently lacking studies on medication safety, although its importance in protecting animals from medication errors is central. Pharmacy professionals have an important role in ensuring medication safety of both prescription and over-the-counter medications of animals. However, this requires adequate competencies of pharmacy professionals in veterinary pharmacotherapy. The present study aimed to explore the competencies of pharmaceutical staff in community pharmacies in veterinary pharmacotherapy, which factors influence these competencies and what kind of information sources they typically use on veterinary pharmacotherapy. The study was conducted as a cross-sectional online survey targeted to pharmacy professionals in the Finnish community pharmacies, providing 596 responses. Less than half of the respondents (41%, n = 246) are considered to possess good competencies in veterinary pharmacotherapy. A third of the respondents (35%, n = 211) would dispense an anti-inflammatory drug for an animal off-label, whereas 24% (n = 145) would not interview the pet owner to discover the need for internal parasite medication before dispensing the drug. A small proportion (<1%, n = 5) would have dispensed a broad-spectrum internal parasite medication. Approximately a quarter of the respondents (27%, n = 159) stated that they acquired information on pharmacotherapy only from the material produced by the manufacturers of veterinary drugs. The competencies of pharmacy professionals in veterinary pharmacotherapy need to be strengthened in many areas to better promote veterinary medication safety. It should also be ensured that pharmacy professionals can access and use independent, high-quality information on veterinary pharmacotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- H. Immonen
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Division of pharmacology and pharmacotherapy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5 E, 00014, Finland
| | - M.R. Raekallio
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, University of Helsinki, Koetilantie 2, 00014, Finland
| | - A-R. Holmström
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Division of pharmacology and pharmacotherapy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5 E, 00014, Finland
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, University of Helsinki, Koetilantie 2, 00014, Finland
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Lias N, Lindholm T, Pohjanoksa-Mäntylä M, Westerholm A, Airaksinen M. Developing and piloting a self-assessment tool for medication review competence of practicing pharmacists based on nationally set competence criteria. BMC Health Serv Res 2021; 21:1274. [PMID: 34823529 PMCID: PMC8620234 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-021-07291-6] [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: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND New competence requirements have emerged for pharmacists as a result of changing societal needs towards more patient-centred practices. Today, medication review competence can be considered as basic pharmaceutical competence. Medication review specific competence criteria and tools for self-assessing the competence are essential in building competences and a shared understanding of medication reviews as a collaborative practice. The aim of this study was to develop and pilot a self-assessment tool for medication review competence among practicing pharmacists in Finland. METHODS The development of the self-assessment tool was based on the national medication review competence criteria for pharmacists established in Finland in 2017 and piloting the tool among practicing pharmacists in a national online survey in October 2018. The pharmacists self-assessed their medication review competence with a five-point Likert scale ranging from 1 for "very poor/not at all" to 5 for "very good". RESULTS The internal consistency of the self-assessment tool was high as the range of the competence areas' Cronbach's alpha was 0.953-0.973. The competence areas consisted of prescription review competence (20 items, Cronbach's alpha 0.953), additional statements for medication review competence (11 additional items, Cronbach's alpha 0.963) and medication review as a whole, including both the statements of prescription review and medication review competence (31 items, Cronbach's alpha 0.973). Competence items closely related to routine dispensing were most commonly self-estimated to be mastered by the practicing pharmacists who responded (n = 344), while the more clinical and patient-centred competence items had the lowest self-estimates. This indicates that the self-assessment tool works logically and differentiates pharmacists according to competence. The self-assessed medication review competence was at a very good or good level among more than half (55%) of the respondents (n = 344). CONCLUSION A self-assessment tool for medication review competence was developed and validated. The piloted self-assessment tool can be used for regular evaluation of practicing pharmacists' medication review competence which is becoming an increasingly important basis for their contribution to patient care and society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noora Lias
- Clinical Pharmacy Group, Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5 E, P.O. box 56, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Tanja Lindholm
- Clinical Pharmacy Group, Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5 E, P.O. box 56, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Marika Pohjanoksa-Mäntylä
- Clinical Pharmacy Group, Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5 E, P.O. box 56, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Aleksi Westerholm
- Clinical Pharmacy Group, Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5 E, P.O. box 56, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Marja Airaksinen
- Clinical Pharmacy Group, Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5 E, P.O. box 56, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
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Celikkayalar E, Puustinen J, Palmgren J, Airaksinen M. Collaborative Medication Reviews to Identify Inappropriate Prescribing in Pre-Admission Medications at Emergency Department Short-Term Ward. INTEGRATED PHARMACY RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2021; 10:23-32. [PMID: 33912437 PMCID: PMC8075306 DOI: 10.2147/iprp.s280523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Collaborative medication reviews (CMR) have been shown to reduce inappropriate prescribing (IP) in various settings. This study aimed at describing a CMR practice in an emergency department (ED) short-term ward in Finland to investigate IP in pre-admission medications. PATIENTS AND METHODS Pre-admission medications were collaboratively reviewed for all the adult ED admissions within a 5-month study period in 2016. Types of IP were inductively categorized, and descriptive statistics were used to show the incidence and type of IP events. RESULTS The pre-admission medications of 855 adult ED patients were reviewed by the pharmacist, with 113 IP events identified in 83 (9.7%) of the patients. The majority (81%, n=67) of these patients were older adults (≥65 years). Of these 94 IP events identified in 67 older patients, 58 (62%) were confirmed by the ED physicians. The following 3 main categories were inductively developed for the types of identified and confirmed IP events: 1) Misprescribing (prescription of medications that significantly increase the risk of adverse drug events); 2) Overprescribing (prescription of medications for which no clear clinical indications exist); and 3) Underprescribing (omission of potentially beneficial medications that are clinically indicated for treatment or prevention of a disease). Misprescribing was the most common type of IP identified (79% of the identified and 72% confirmed IP events). Benzodiazepines (29%) and antidepressants (28%) were involved in 33 out of 58 (57%) confirmed IP events. Medications with strong anticholinergic effects were involved in 19% of the confirmed IP events. CONCLUSION The CMR practice was able to identify IP in pre-admission medications of about one-tenth of ED patients. Older patients using benzodiazepines and drugs with strong anticholinergic effects should be paid special attention to ED admissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ercan Celikkayalar
- Clinical Pharmacy Group, Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Hospital Pharmacy Department, Satasairaala Central Hospital, Pori, Finland
| | - Juha Puustinen
- Clinical Pharmacy Group, Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Social Security Center of Pori, Pori, Finland
- Unit of Neurology, Satasairaala Central Hospital, Pori, Finland
| | - Joni Palmgren
- Hospital Pharmacy Department, Satasairaala Central Hospital, Pori, Finland
| | - Marja Airaksinen
- Clinical Pharmacy Group, Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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