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Baek Y, Park SK, Lee YH, Son KH, Na HJ, Choi HG, Kwon YG, Lee EK. Comparison of Perceived Importance and Performance of Community Pharmacists' Role in South Korea During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic. Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2023; 17:e569. [PMID: 38044034 DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2023.221] [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] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to identify the roles of community pharmacists (CPs) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the differences in their role performance compared with their perceived importance, and limiting factors. METHODS A cross-sectional online survey of CPs was conducted. The CPs self-measured the importance and performance of each role during the pandemic using a 5-point Likert scale. A paired t-test was used to compare each role's importance and performance scores. A logistic regression analysis of the roles with low performance scores, despite their level of importance, was conducted to determine the factors affecting performance. The limiting factors were also surveyed. RESULTS The 436 responses to the questionnaire were analyzed. The performance scores were significantly lower than the perceived importance scores for 15 of the 17 roles. The source and update frequency of COVID-19 information and participation in outreach pharmaceutical services were associated with low performance scores. Insufficient economic compensation, the lack of communication channels, and legal limitations were the limiting factors in performing the CPs' roles. CONCLUSIONS The participation in outreach pharmaceutical services, economic compensation, and communication channel should be improved to motivate the CPs in performing their roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youngsuk Baek
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Sun-Kyeong Park
- College of Pharmacy, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Yong Hwa Lee
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Kyung-Hwa Son
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Hye-Jung Na
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Hyun-Gyu Choi
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Young-Gyu Kwon
- College of Pharmacy, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Eui-Kyung Lee
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
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Williamson BD, Coley RY, Hsu C, McCracken CE, Cook AJ. Considerations for Subgroup Analyses in Cluster-Randomized Trials Based on Aggregated Individual-Level Predictors. PREVENTION SCIENCE : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR PREVENTION RESEARCH 2023:10.1007/s11121-023-01606-1. [PMID: 37897553 DOI: 10.1007/s11121-023-01606-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
In research assessing the effect of an intervention or exposure, a key secondary objective often involves assessing differential effects of this intervention or exposure in subgroups of interest; this is often referred to as assessing effect modification or heterogeneity of treatment effects (HTE). Observed HTE can have important implications for policy, including intervention strategies (e.g., will some patients benefit more from intervention than others?) and prioritizing resources (e.g., to reduce observed health disparities). Analysis of HTE is well understood in studies where the independent unit is an individual. In contrast, in studies where the independent unit is a cluster (e.g., a hospital or school) and a cluster-level outcome is used in the analysis, it is less well understood how to proceed if the HTE analysis of interest involves an individual-level characteristic (e.g., self-reported race) that must be aggregated at the cluster level. Through simulations, we show that only individual-level models have power to detect HTE by individual-level variables; if outcomes must be defined at the cluster level, then there is often low power to detect HTE by the corresponding aggregated variables. We illustrate the challenges inherent to this type of analysis in a study assessing the effect of an intervention on increasing COVID-19 booster vaccination rates at long-term care centers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian D Williamson
- Biostatistics Division, Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - R Yates Coley
- Biostatistics Division, Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Clarissa Hsu
- Investigative Science Division, Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Andrea J Cook
- Biostatistics Division, Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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Skoy E, Rubinstein EB, Nagel L, Preugschas AH, Larson M. Preparedness for a pandemic: Independent community pharmacists' experiences delivering COVID-19 vaccines. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) 2023; 63:1049-1056. [PMID: 37001584 PMCID: PMC10060799 DOI: 10.1016/j.japh.2023.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify the experiences and preparedness for independent community pharmacies to deliver COVID-19 vaccines. DESIGN A mixed-methods study collected quantitative and qualitative data. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Every independent community pharmacy providing COVID-19 vaccines in North Dakota. OUTCOME MEASURES During state-required site visits, quantitative data determined by a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-developed reviewer guide were collected on each pharmacy's preparedness on vaccine provision and quality assurance to provide COVID-19 vaccines. Qualitative data to describe the lived experiences of pharmacists were collected through site visit documentation and semistructured interviews with participating pharmacists. RESULTS Fifty-two pharmacies received site visits. All visited pharmacies met full compliance with CDC's reviewer guide for billing and documentation of vaccine, vaccine procedures, recipient communication, and handling of ancillary supplies. Pharmacies varied in their compliance of vaccine storage and handling requirements. Forty-three interviews yielded 4 main themes about pharmacies' role in vaccination during the pandemic: (1) professional role, (2) accessibility, (3) patient relations, and (4) community role. CONCLUSION Site visits demonstrated that independent community pharmacies were prepared to provide COVID-19 vaccines in response to public need, despite varying degrees of experience with and provision of routine immunizations. Interviews revealed that pharmacists recognized their important contribution to COVID-19 vaccine provision efforts.
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Alrasheedy AA, Aldawsari AH, Alqasir MI, Alsawyan OA, Alalwan OA, Alwaker SA, Almutairi MS, Godman B. Knowledge of Community Pharmacists in Saudi Arabia Regarding Human Monkeypox, Its Management, Prevention, and Vaccination: Findings and Implications. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11040878. [PMID: 37112790 PMCID: PMC10143221 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11040878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Many cases of monkeypox have recently been reported in countries where this disease is not endemic, raising a global health concern. Consequently, healthcare professionals (HCPs), including pharmacists, need to be aware of the disease, its prevention, including the role of vaccines, and its management to reduce transmission. A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among conveniently sampled community pharmacists in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. A total of 189 community pharmacists participated in the study, giving a response rate of 72.97%. From these, 86.77% were male, 51.32% were ≤30 years old, 36.51% were aged between 31-40 years, and 43.39% had 1-5 years of experience as community pharmacists. Their overall knowledge was 17.72 ± 5.56 out of a maximum of 28. The overall rate of correct answers for the knowledge statements was 63.29%, with 52.4% answering ≥50-<75% of the knowledge questions correctly and 31.2% answering ≥75% of the questions correctly. The knowledge subdomain related to diagnosis and clinical characteristics recorded the highest score, with the subdomain relating to causative pathogens and epidemiology recording a lower score. Overall, community pharmacists had moderate knowledge of monkeypox and its clinical management, prevention, and the role of vaccines, which is a concern for the future. Consequently, tailored, flexible, and timely educational interventions are needed to ensure that HCPs, including community pharmacists, are fully equipped with the latest evidence-based knowledge regarding this viral disease to reduce transmission and improve care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alian A Alrasheedy
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Qassim 51452, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulrahman H Aldawsari
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Qassim 51452, Saudi Arabia
| | - Munyib I Alqasir
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Qassim 51452, Saudi Arabia
| | - Omar A Alsawyan
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Qassim 51452, Saudi Arabia
| | - Osama A Alalwan
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Qassim 51452, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saleh A Alwaker
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Qassim 51452, Saudi Arabia
| | - Masaad S Almutairi
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Qassim 51452, Saudi Arabia
| | - Brian Godman
- Department of Pharmacoepidemiology, Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK
- Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Molotlegi Street, Garankuwa, Pretoria 0208, South Africa
- Centre of Medical and Bio-Allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman P.O. Box 346, United Arab Emirates
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Jentzsch A, Geier AK, Bleckwenn M, Schrimpf A. Differences in Demographics of Vaccinees, Access to, and Satisfaction with SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination Procedures between German General Practices and Mass Vaccination Centers. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:1823. [PMID: 36366332 PMCID: PMC9696883 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10111823] [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: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In the European Union, SARS-CoV-2 vaccines became available in December 2020. The vaccination campaign in Germany was initially implemented through mass vaccination centers and later joined by general practitioners (GPs) in spring 2021. This study compared population characteristics, perceived access barriers, and satisfaction with the vaccination procedure between vaccination centers and GP practices. A paper-based survey was distributed (07/2021-10/2021) among newly vaccinated individuals in ten GP practices (n = 364) and two vaccine centers (n = 474). Participants in vaccine centers were younger compared to participants in GP practices. GP preference was higher in older participants and those with pre-existing illnesses. Wait time at vaccination site was longer in GP practices, whereas travel distance to site was longer for participants in vaccine centers. However, satisfaction with patient education and recommendation of site were more likely with increasing comprehensibility of the vaccination procedure and physicians' information as well as perceived sufficiency of patient education duration, factors that can be easily modified by all vaccination sites. Our results demonstrate that both types of vaccination sites complement each other in terms of accessibility and target population and that satisfaction with the vaccination procedure can be promoted at all sites by an easy-to-understand process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Jentzsch
- Department of General Practice, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str. 55, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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