Pharmacy faculty experiences with student academic entitlement: a multinational study from the Arab world

Academic Entitlement (AE) is the expectation by students to receive high grades or preferential treatment without significant effort. Exploring AE from faculty perspective has not been investigated in Arab colleges of pharmacy. The aim of this study was to explore experiences and perceptions towards student AE among pharmacy faculty in the Arab World. A cross-sectional, self-administered, anonymous, electronic survey was sent to pharmacy faculty across pharmacy colleges in Arab countries. The survey collected demographic data, an AE measure including 17 items reflecting seven AE components, and faculty perceptions and perceived reasons for AE. A total of 345 responses were collected. The AE level was moderate (46.05 ±7.29), and the highest scores among its components were for customer service expectation (62%) and responsibility avoidance (59%). In multiple linear regression, AE showed positive significant association with faculty in clinical pharmacy departments and those having fewer years of experience. Most common complaints heard by faculty from students were requests to turn in assignments late (90%), while the most common communication issues faculty faced with students were unprofessional verbal communication (58%) and unprofessional messages on social media (57%). Poor admission criteria (40%) and existence of multiple private colleges of pharmacy (37%) were the most common perceived reasons for AE by participating faculty. This study reveals moderate AE experienced by pharmacy faculty in the Arab World, as well as common complaints, communication issues, and AE reasons. In collaboration with other stakeholders, faculty play an important role in indicating expectations from students regarding AE, and research is warranted to check if such interventions reduce AE among pharmacy students.

Academic Entitlement Among Pharmacy Students in the Arab World: A Multi-National Exploratory Study

OBJECTIVE

The study's aim was to explore academic entitlement among pharmacy students in different pharmacy colleges in the Arab World and assess associated factors.

METHODS

This study design was a cross-sectional survey. Data were collected using a self-administered electronic questionnaire posted across pharmacy college networks in 10 Arab countries (Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates). The electronic survey was administered through Qualtrics Survey Software, and its link was open from January 23, 2022 to May 13, 2022. The multiple linear regression measured the association between different predictors and the academic entitlement.

RESULTS

A total of 2386 surveys were received from students studying in 10 different Arab countries. The majority of responding students were male and studying in a Bachelor of pharmacy program. Students reported an agreeable attitude in 4 areas: rewards for efforts, customer orientation, customer service expectation, and general academic entitlement. In accommodation, a neutral attitude was reported, while they reported a disagreeing attitude in the responsibility avoidance domain. In grade haggling, the 3 items of the domain had different attitudes. Only 3 factors had a significant negative association with student entitlement (professionalism, GPA, and year in the study program).

CONCLUSION

The academic entitlement scores among pharmacy students in the Arab World were high and had a negative association with professionalism perceptions. This study finding is a call for pharmacy programs to consider the effect of academic entitlement on pharmacy education and to obtain in-depth evidence on its magnitude and associated factors.

Factors Impacting Job Satisfaction among Pharmacists in the Arab World: A Qualitative Study

Purpose

This study was undertaken to investigate in-depth the factors impacting job satisfaction among pharmacists in the Arab world and the challenges they encounter in their career path. The outcome of this study should help the local policymakers to take corrective actions to improve pharmacist's satisfaction and therefore enhance quality of patient care.

Method

This qualitative study collected responses of pharmacists from 12 Arab countries, as part of a large quantitative survey. Participants added comments to an optional open-ended question regarding work satisfaction. The Qualtrics Survey Software was used to collect the responses. The survey was distributed from March to May 2021 through multiple online channels for filling. The responses collected were analysed to develop themes. An inductive constructivist approach was used for the conceptual thematic analysis as the methodological orientation.

Results

A total of 110 responses/comments were received from the study participants. The two largest practice settings of the participants were from hospitals (44.5%) and community pharmacies (28.2%). Almost 40% of responses came from pharmacists practising in Qatar (21.8%) and UAE (18.1%). The survey data demonstrated several reasons impacting job satisfaction among pharmacists practising in the Arab countries. Underestimation of the pharmacists' role, low salaries, lack of motivation and excessive workload were reported as major contributors to job dissatisfaction. On the other hand, professional commitment and the culture of the work setting were the major contributors to job satisfaction.

Conclusions

The study provides valuable insights into the aspects concerning pharmacists' satisfaction in the Arab world. Policymakers and other stakeholders need to act upon aspects of pharmacists' job satisfaction and dissatisfaction to ensure potentially better working environment and patient outcomes.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of cystic fibrosis in Palestine: Cross sectional study

OBJECTIVE

To assess the clinical characteristics and outcomes of cystic fibrosis in Palestine by studying the quality of life (QoL) of participants.

METHOD

This cross-sectional study involved the application of Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire-Revised (CFQ-R) to participants attending the pediatric pulmonology clinic at Caritas Baby Hospital between January and May 2017. Health status was assessed by measuring pulmonary function test (FEV₁ ), body mass index (BMI), age of CF diagnosis, and presence of other affected siblings or deaths in the family.

RESULTS

There were 77 participants from 58 families: 46.8% (36/77) were males, and 53.3% (41/77) were females. The mean age was 10.7 years (range: 0.5-36 years). The participants were divided into three groups by age in years: group I ( < 6), II (6-13), and III (≥ 14). The highest and lowest CFQ scores were for the eating domain in group III (55.6 ± 22.5) and the body domain in group II (14.5 ± 17.7), respectively. Mean illness severity was 69.6% (range: 33%-111%). The mean BMI was 15.9 (range: 9.6-23.1). The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 4.2 years (± 6.3). The study showed that 1.7% of the families (1/58) had four affected siblings, and 21% (12/58) had death cases related to CF, of which 58.3% (7/12) were from the Hebron district. Finally, all parameters for CF participants in West Bank, Palestine were noticeably lower than those reported in other countries.

CONCLUSIONS

This study illustrates the need for new therapies for CF participants in Palestine to improve QoL, health status, and longevity.

Assessment of quality of life in asthmatic children and adolescents: A cross sectional study in West Bank, Palestine

Background

Asthma is one of the most common chronic illnesses among children and adolescents. It can severely affect their quality of life (QoL). Our study assessed the QoL and analyzed potential risk factors for poor QoL among asthmatic children and adolescents.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional comparative study. Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ) was used to measure the QoL and Asthma Control Test (ACT) was used to evaluate asthma control. The Chi-square test and independent t-test were used to compare variables. We used Multivariate logistic regression to identify the association between determinants and outcomes. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.

Results

We recruited 132 participants. We found that 47 patients (35.6%) had controlled Asthma and 85 patients (64.3%) had uncontrolled Asthma. When compared to uncontrolled asthma individuals, participants with controlled asthma had improved QoL and scored significantly higher in the symptom domain (P = 0.002), activity domain (P = 0.004), emotional domain (P = 0.002), and overall PAQoL scores (P = 0.002). Hospital admission affects significantly all domains of PAQOL (P<0.05). Poor QoL was significantly associated with hospitalization for asthma (OR = 3.4; CI: 2.77–3.94, P = 0.01), disease severity (OR = 3.0; CI: 2.41–3.61, P = 0.01), uncontrolled asthma (OR = 2.88; CI: 2.21–3.41, P = 0.019), and male gender (OR = 2.55; CI: 1.88–2.91, P = 0.02).

Conclusions

The results of the present study showed that in children and adolescents, uncontrolled asthma, disease severity, and previously hospitalized patients were associated with poor QoL. These factors must be considered when planning a comprehensive care plan for a better quality of life.

Evaluation of antipsychotic medication adherence and its relation to negative and positive psychiatric symptoms

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess antipsychotic medication adherence and its relation to Psychiatric symptoms in a sample of patients with schizophrenia in Palestine.

Methods

Patients were recruited from the governmental psychiatry clinic in Ramallah in a cross-sectional study. The self-reported Morisky–Green–Levine (MGL) scale was used to measure patients’ adherence. Psychiatric symptoms were measured using the expanded Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS-E).

Key findings

Of the 130 participants in the study, 78 (60%) were men and mean age was 41.8 ± 9.8 years 70 (53.8%). of the sample participants were classified as low-adherent while 60 (46.2%) of patients classified as high adherent. That negative symptom scores of high adherence group are significantly lower than low adherence group (12.5 vs. 15.0, P = 0.002) and lower depression anxiety scores (18.3 vs. 22.1, P &lt; 0.001) indicated that high adherence group had lower depression, anxiety, social isolation, anxiety and suicidal ideation symptoms than low-adherence group. The multivariate regression model demonstrated that four variables remain significant and associated with nonadherence; no formal education (OR = 2.11; CI: 0.8–3.8; P = 0.04), age (OR = 2.88; CI: 1.2–4.4; P = 0.01), having comorbidity (OR = 3.2; CI: 1.9–4.3; P = 0.01) and having higher negative symptoms scores (OR = 2.5; CI: 1.2–3.9; P = 0.03); as they are positively correlated to nonadherence.

Conclusion

Medication nonadherence was significant, and it was linked to poor psychiatric outcomes and adherence scores were unaffected by medication-related variables.

Exploring job satisfaction among pharmacy professionals in the Arab world: a multi-country study

Objectives

The study objectives were to (1) describe the characteristics of the pharmacy professionals and (2) explore the association between job satisfaction and factors, such as work control, work stress, workload and organization and professional commitments.

Methods

This study was a cross-sectional design. The survey items were mainly adapted from the US National Pharmacist Workforce Survey. An electronic (Qualtrics) questionnaire was posted on pharmacist social media in several Arab countries. The survey link was posted from 22 March 2021 to 1 May 2021. The multiple linear regression measured the association between 12 independent variables and pharmacist job satisfaction.

Key findings

A total of 2137 usable surveys were received from pharmacists (54.7% female) working in 18 Arabic countries. The job satisfaction rate varied among countries in the Arab world. The fields with the highest satisfaction average included pharmaceutical marketing, academia and the pharmaceutical industry. At the same time, pharmacists working in community pharmacy and Ministry of Health/administrative positions had the lowest satisfaction rates. Overall, pharmacist satisfaction was average (3.1 out of 5). The pharmacists had the lowest satisfaction averages with income and job expectations. The pharmacists with bachelor’s degrees had significantly lower satisfaction than pharmacists with postgraduate degrees. Male pharmacists had significantly higher job satisfaction compared with female pharmacists. Workload and the feelings of organization and professional commitments had significant positive associations with job satisfaction.

Conclusions

The pharmacy profession in Arabic countries faced several challenges that negatively impacted job satisfaction. Improving work environment, professional management, income and organization loyalty is necessary to enhance pharmacist job satisfaction.

Dietary supplements intake during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic: A multinational Middle Eastern study

Introduction

Despite the controversy about the benefits of dietary supplements in treating or preventing COVID-19, their use has increased worldwide even with the introduction of relevant vaccines. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the perception of the Middle Eastern Arab public of dietary supplements as prophylactic or therapeutic agents against COVID-19, and their consumption during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

A validated, pilot tested online survey was distributed through social networking platforms in Lebanon, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates. Responses underwent various statistical analyses.

Results

A total of 2,100 responses were included. Around 44% of participants reported changes in their dietary behavior during COVID-19, and 70% believed that healthy habits may prevent the infection. Moreover, 21% believed that dietary supplements surely protect against COVID-19 and 45% thought they aid in treating it. Users of supplements during the second wave of the pandemic counted for 47%, who declared they were influenced by the media, healthcare providers, or close contacts. Most used supplements included Vitamins C and D and zinc. Only 34% of participants read supplement leaflets. The use of supplements was significantly correlated with being female and exercising, as revealed by the odds ratio and logistic regression analysis.

Conclusions

In line with other areas of the world, the use of dietary supplements in the Middle East against COVID-19 is not evidence-based. Competent health authorities should play their role in spreading sound awareness among the public regarding this issue.

Assessment of health-related quality of life in patients with inflammatory bowel disease in occupied Palestinian territory: a correlation cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Disease activity is suggested to be an important indicator for quality of life (QoL) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Few studies of the association between adherence to medication and QoL in patients with IBD are available, and their findings are conflicting. We examined associations between disease activity, medication adherence, and QoL in patients with IBD in occupied Palestinian territory.

METHODS

This correlation cross-sectional study was done from July 1, 2017, to Feb 30, 2018. We used convenience sampling to recruit patients from three major hospitals in southern and northern regions of occupied Palestinian territory. The disease-specific inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire (IBDQ) was used to examine QoL. Medication adherence was measured with the modified Morisky adherence scale. Associations were assessed by regression analysis. Results were analysed with SPSS version 20. The study was approved by the Al-Quds University Research Ethics Committee. Informed verbal consent was obtained from the participants before the start of the study.

INTERPRETATION

132 patients were enrolled. The mean age was 34 years (SD 13) and 77 (58%) patients were men. Active disease in the previous 6 months was reported in 81 participants (61%). Low adherence to medication (score <6) was reported in 52 (39%) of participants. The average IBDQ score was low (150·72 [SD 30·08]), with the emotional and bowel domains being most affected. Active disease was the most significant factor associated with patients' QoL overall (p<0·001). No significant association was found between medication adherence and QoL. Regression analysis revealed significant independent associations between QoL and disease remission (p<0·001), high educational status (p=0·009), and using azathioprine (p=0·034).

INTERPRETATION

Our results provides baseline data about Palestinian IBD patients' QoL and medication use and adherence, and might help health-care providers to identify patients with IBD at risk of low QoL, especially those with relapse and active symptoms. Attention should be given by health-care providers and strategists to increasing knowledge about IBD. The importance of treatment adherence should be explored further. Some limitations were encountered during the study period; it was conducted in only three hospitals and the results might not be generalisable. The cross-sectional type of this study might prevent the identification of any cause-and-effect relationships, especially between medication and post-treatment improvements in QoL.

FUNDING

None.

Quality of life for kidney transplant palestinian patients

The purpose of kidney transplantation is to improve the quality of life (QoL) for patients with end-stage renal disease. This study aims to measure QoL in renal transplant patients in Bethlehem and Hebron in Palestine. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was performed on 109 renal transplant patients referred to Palestinian Ministry of Health - primary health-care clinics of Bethlehem and Hebron in Palestine from December 2016 to April 2017, by using Kidney Transplant Questionnaire (KTQ-25) for the assessment of QoL and determining the effect of sociodemographic variables on QoL. The reliability of KTQ-25 was determined to be 0.74 by Cronbach's alpha method. Data were analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 19.0 and descriptive analytic statistics. The mean QoL for kidney transplant patients was 4.02 ± 0.84. The highest score of the KTQ was the appearance dimension (5.40 ± 1.23), whereas the lowest was related to the uncertainty/fear dimension (3.36 ± 1.23). The sample consisted of mostly males (79.8%), and their mean age was (41 ± 24) years. Most were married (81.7%), 45.9% were without work, and 66.1% of kidney donors' type were biologically blood related. No statistically significant difference was observed (P ≥ 0.05) between the sociodemographic variables and QoL. Surprisingly, the majority of kidney transplant patients (83.3%) were on prednisone. The QoL for kidney transplant patients was moderate. The society, government, family, and medical staff need to support patients to alleviate fear and uncertainty they feel. Furthermore, high reliance on corticosteroids in treatment needs to be reconsidered.

Willingness and readiness to test for COVID-19; A qualitative exploration of community pharmacists

OBJECTIVES

The present study aimed to exploring community pharmacists' willingness and readiness to test for COVID-19 in Jordan.

METHODS

Purposeful sampling was used to identify a list of 30 community pharmacies, which were approached to participate in the study. Twenty interviews were needed to reach data saturation. In-depth interviews were conducted, recorded, transcribed, and analysed using NVivo 11 Software. Interviews followed a previously prepared and validated 10-item interview guide. The interview guide discussed pharmacists' willingness and readiness to test for COVID-19.

RESULTS

Twenty community pharmacists were interviewed for the purpose of the present study. Interviews took place during April 2020 and the mean interview duration was 23.30 minutes. Respondents had a mean age of 36.4 years and a mean experience of 8.8 years. The majority were female (70%) and 50% held a BSc in Pharmacy. Regarding respondents' willingness to test for COVID-19 emerging themes were helping other healthcare professional, willingness to contribute to official efforts in fighting COVID-19, acting as an accessible testing cite, willingness to carry out home testing. Regarding respondents' readiness to test for COVID-19 emerging themes were Pharmacists lack basic testing skills, pharmacies are not ready to preform tests and the need for training and certifying.

CONCLUSION

Jordanian pharmacists are willing to test patients for COVID-19 in community pharmacies, however, they thought they are not ready enough to undergo such tests and needed extra training and better safety precautions.

Assessment of treatment satisfaction and adherence amongst diabetic patients in governmental primary care clinic of Ramallah, West-Bank

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess treatment satisfaction and its association with medication adherence among patients with diabetes.

METHODS

Participants in this study were outpatients at the governmental Primary Healthcare Unit in Ramallah. Adherence was measured with the 4-item Morisky Green-Levine (MGL) questionnaire, and treatment satisfaction with the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication version 1.4. Glycemic control was measured as the last value of an HbA1c test, with HbA1c ≤7 considered good.

RESULTS

Of the participants, 220 (57.9%) were classified as having high adherence to their medications, and 160 (42.1%) as having low adherence. Regarding glycemic control, 174 (45.7%) of patients had good control, while 206 (54.2%) had poor control. Satisfaction with treatment effectiveness showed a significant mean difference with adherence level (78.61 vs. 74.2; p = 0.04). Glycemic controlled patients had a higher and significant adherence mean in the global satisfaction domain (69.19 vs. 62.08; p = 0.01). However, glycemic control level had no significant differences in means of effectiveness, side effects, and convenience domains (P = 0.31, 0.49, 0.37) respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment satisfaction level is lower among low adherence and poor glycemic control. Addressing the specific needs of these patients might be effective in improving their satisfaction, thus having a positive influence on other clinical outcomes.

Factors Associated with Poor Hemoglobin A1c Control in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

BACKGROUND

The limited implementation of clinical pharmacy service programs and the lack of studies identifying barriers to achieve blood glucose control have all attributed to the increased proportion of type 2 diabetes patients who have poor glycemic control in Jordan.

OBJECTIVE

To explore factors associated with higher HbA1c in patients with type 2 diabetes in Jordan.

METHODS

Variables including socio-demographics, disease and treatment factors were collected from171 patients with type2 diabetes at an outpatient diabetes clinic in Amman. Validated questionnaires were used to assess medication adherence, self-care activities, diabetes knowledge and healthrelated quality of life in addition to data collected from medical records. After the single-predictor analysis, stepwise linear regression was performed to develop a model with variables that best predicted hemoglobin A1c.

RESULTS

Medication adherence was inversely associated with HbA1c values (β = -0.275; t = 2.666; P < 0.01), indicating better glycemic control. Receiving insulin therapy was also associated with less HbA1c values and better glycemic control (β = - 0.184; t = 2.080; P < 0.05). Patients who had one or more comorbid conditions (β = 0.215; t = 2.264; P < 0.05) and those with longer diabetes duration (β = 0.092; t = 1.339; P < 0.05) were found to have significantly higher HbA1c values.

CONCLUSION

Emphasizing medication adherence, particularly for patients with longer duration of diabetes and those with multiple comorbid diseases should be strongly considered in future diabetes management programs implemented to improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.

A focus group study of patient's perspective and experiences of type 2 diabetes and its management in Jordan

Background

Diabetes is increasingly becoming a major health problem in Jordan and glycemic goals are often not achieved.

Objective

To explore the patients’ perspectives regarding type 2 diabetes and its management in order to “fine-tune” future pharmaceutical care intervention programs.

Method

Focus groups method was used to explore views from individuals with type 2 diabetes attending outpatient diabetes clinic at the Royal Medical Services Hospital. All interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed using a thematic analysis approach.

Results

A total of 6 focus groups, with 6 participants in each one, were conducted. Participants in the present study demonstrated a great information needs about diabetes and the prescribed treatment. Medication regimen characteristics including rout of administration, number of prescribed medications and dosage frequency in addition to perceived side effects represented the major barriers to medication adherence. In addition to demonstrating negative beliefs about the illness and the prescribed medications, participants showed negative attitudes and low self-efficacy to adhere to necessary self-care activities including diet, physical activity and self-monitoring of blood glucose.

Conclusion

Future pharmaceutical care interventions designed to improve patients’ adherence and health outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes should consider improving patients’ understanding of type 2 diabetes and its management, simplifying dosage regimen, improving patient's beliefs and attitudes toward type 2 diabetes, prescribed medications and different self-care activities in addition to improving patient's self efficacy to perform different treatment recommendations.

Prevalence and nature of off-label antibiotic prescribing for children in a tertiary setting: A descriptive study from Jordan

Objective:

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the use of off-label antibiotics in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and paediatric wards in Jordan.

Methods:

Data of patients admitted to the neonatal intensive care units and paediatric wards in King Abdulla University Hospital were collected over an 8-week survey between May and July 2012. Data collected in this study included patients’ age, weight, medical history, diagnosis and the details of antibiotics prescribed to each patient.

Results:

The study involved a total of 250 children (80 admitted to the NICU and 170 admitted to the wards). A total of 598 antibiotic prescriptions were issued for these patients (244 in NICUs and 354 in paediatricwards). The results of the present study show that off-label antibiotic prescribing to paediatric patients is very common. Off-label antibiotic prescribing to paediatric patients is related mostly to doses and indications, and rarely to age. The majority of admitted patients received at least one off-label antibiotic during their hospital stay.

Conclusion:

This study reveals the high prevalence of off-label use of antibiotic among paediatric children in Jordan. There is a serious need for robust and continuous educational programs to improve the awareness of paediatricians of guidelines surrounding the use of antibiotics in paediatric patients. Furthermore, true collaboration between paediatricians and clinical pharmacists towards safe and effective antibiotic prescribing in paediatric patients is crucial.

Prevalence of non-adherence among psychiatric patients in Jordan, a cross sectional study

Background

It has been estimated that up to 50% of any patient population is at least partially non-adherent to their prescribed treatment. Identifying barriers to adherence is required to develop effective interventions for psychiatric patients.

Objective

To explore the prevalence and factors of non-adherence among psychiatric patients present at four psychiatric clinics.

Method

A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study. A sample of psychiatric patients attending outpatient psychiatric clinics was enrolled between March and April 2011.

Results

A total of 243 psychiatric patients took part in this study with the majority of patients (92.5%) being prescribed more than one psychiatric disorder. The majority (64.2%) of the patients was classified as non-adherent according to the Morisky adherence questionnaire and forgetfulness was the most prevalent reason for that.

Conclusions

Non-adherence is a common and important issue among psychiatric patients. Polypharmacy, safety concerns and lack of insight towards the prescribed treatment were reported as the main reasons of non-adherence.

Impact of pharmaceutical care on health outcomes in patients with COPD

BACKGROUND

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment goals are often not achieved despite the availability of many effective treatments. Furthermore, clinical pharmacist interventions to improve clinical and humanistic outcomes in COPD patients have not yet been explored and few randomized controlled trials have been reported to evaluate the impact of pharmaceutical care on health outcomes in patients with COPD.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of pharmaceutical care intervention, with a strong focus on self-management, on a range of clinical and humanistic outcomes in patients with COPD.

SETTING

Outpatient COPD Clinic at the Royal Medical Services Hospital.

METHOD

In a randomised, controlled, prospective clinical trial, a total of 133 COPD patients were randomly assigned to intervention or control group. A structured education about COPD and management of its symptoms was delivered by the clinical pharmacist for patients in the intervention group. Patients were followed up at 6 months during a scheduled visit. Effectiveness of the intervention was assessed in terms of improvement in health-related quality of life, medication adherence, disease knowledge and healthcare utilization. Data collected at baseline and at the 6 month assessment was coded and entered into SPSS(®) software version 17 for statistical analysis. A P value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The primary outcome measure was health-related quality of life improvement. All other data collected including healthcare utilization, COPD knowledge and medication adherence formed secondary outcome measures.

RESULTS

A total of 66 patients were randomized to the intervention group and 67 patients were randomized to the control group. Although the current study failed to illustrate significant improvement in health-related quality of life parameters, the results indicated significant improvements in COPD knowledge (P < 0.001), medication adherence (P < 0.05), medication beliefs (P < 0.01) and significant reduction in hospital admission rates (P < 0.05) in intervention patients when compared with control group patients at the end of the study.

CONCLUSION

The enhanced patient outcomes as a result of the pharmaceutical care programme in the present study demonstrate the value of an enhanced clinical pharmacy service in achieving the desired health outcomes for patients with COPD.