Asthma management and inhalation techniques among community pharmacists in 2009: a comparison with the 1999 survey

OBJECTIVE

In a 1999 survey, community pharmacists from the Alsace region of France had a reasonably good knowledge of asthma treatment and prevention, but their skill in the use of asthma inhalation devices left room for improvement. Since then, health authorities have encouraged the involvement of community pharmacists in patient care and education in order to improve asthma control. The aim of this study was to assess the change in the knowledge of asthma management and inhaler technique skills of community pharmacists in the same geographic area after a 10-year interval.

METHODS

In 2009, 86 randomly selected community pharmacists from the Alsace region answered a standardized questionnaire about their theoretical knowledge of and practical attitude toward asthma management and inhaled delivery systems, following which their skills in the use of four inhalation devices (pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) with/without a spacer, breath-actuated pMDI and dry powder inhaler (DPI)) were evaluated.

RESULTS

Very few pharmacists were required to manage an acute asthma exacerbation at the pharmacy, but all responded well by administering a short-acting inhaled β2-agonist. Theoretical knowledge of asthma management (criteria of severity of asthma exacerbation, guidelines and drugs triggering asthma exacerbations) was still average. Compared with 1999, they were twice as confident in demonstrating inhaler use, and their skills in using the pMDI, breath-actuated pMDI and DPI had improved significantly (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Since 1999, pharmacists' skill in the use of inhalers has improved, but theoretical knowledge of asthma management is still average, pointing to the importance of continuing pharmaceutical education.

Pharmacists' Knowledge Regarding Drug Disposal in Karbala

Background: Consumers and caregivers should remove expired, or unwanted, medications to minimize the chance for misuse or accidentally using those medicines. This study investigated pharmacists' knowledge regarding drug disposal in Karbala, Iraq. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional survey among pharmacists in Karbala. It was performed from December 2018 until January 2019. A standardized, 12-item, self-administered questionnaire was designed, developed and validated to assess pharmacists' knowledge when generating pharmaceutical waste in pharmacies. Results: One hundred twenty-nine participants enrolled in the study. The mean age of participants was 33 ± 9.3 years-more than two-thirds (65.9%)-agreed that the return of medications to the source would be appropriate drug disposal. A good proportion of participants agreed with disposing of drugs in the trash. Further, 63.6% believe that education is the main barrier opposing the implementation of a medicine-take-back program in Iraq. Conclusion: Pharmacists had relatively poor knowledge regarding drug disposal methods. Health care providers (not only pharmacists) need educational courses and workshops to improve their knowledge regarding medication disposal in Iraq.

Evaluation of pharmacists' knowledge in emergency preparedness and disaster management

Background

Emergency preparedness and disaster management are global phenomena that have a significant impact on the economy and healthcare system. Pharmacists have assumed additional responsibilities in the wake of emergencies and disasters that are beyond their training curricula. Some research highlighted the need for pharmacists to assume these responsibilities in the cause of emergency and disaster. The objective of this study is to evaluate pharmacists' knowledge in relation to emergency preparedness and disaster management.

Method

A descriptive cross-sectional survey was carried out from April to August 2020, on selected pharmacists from different areas of practice in Kaduna/Nigeria. Participants were evaluated using a self-reported questionnaire which consisted of 15 knowledge questions that were distributed online using pharmacists' social-media platforms. The questionnaire was adapted from previous studies and was validated by the team of expect using face validation and pre-tested.

Main outcome

The majority of pharmacists have good knowledge of emergency preparedness and disaster management.

Results

The online poll received 102 respondents, and their knowledge was evaluated by rating respondents out of 15 questions. 55%, 40%, and 5% scored good, fair, and poor knowledge respectively. At p<0.05, there was a relationship between knowledge score and years of practice experience, level of education, and area of practice. 44% reported being taught emergency, with the majority at the undergraduate level. 78% of respondents have never participated in drills or workshops.

Conclusion

Pharmacists demonstrated good knowledge of basic emergency and disaster terms, they do, however, need to be more conversant with other emergency areas, which necessitates more training and drills.

Impact of an Educational Intervention on Hospital Pharmacists' Knowledge and Application of Substance Withdrawal Management

Background

Patients with substance use disorders are often encountered in an acute care setting and withdrawal management is important. Available literature reveals inadequate acute management of substance withdrawal due to lack of experience and knowledge of medications.

Methods

A quality improvement project was implemented to improve hospital pharmacists' knowledge, application, and practice of inpatient opioid and alcohol withdrawal management through provision of didactic and case-based education and implementation of practice based prospective drug utilization review (PDUR). Pharmacists' knowledge of the management of alcohol and opioid withdrawal was assessed by a 10-item survey pre-and post-intervention.

Results

Twenty-one pharmacists completed the education and pre- and post-surveys. Scores for the 21 pharmacists improved significantly, with pre- and post-intervention scores of 7.33 ± 1.98 and 8.86 ± 0.91, respectively (P = .0035). Most pharmacists completed their required PDUR submission, and several pharmacist interventions were made and accepted post-education. Pharmacists indicated that the education increased their confidence and enabled them to learn new information that could be directly applied to their pharmacy practice.

Conclusion

Providing education and requiring a PDUR improved pharmacists' knowledge, application, and practice of inpatient opioid and alcohol withdrawal management. Re-education or expanded education may be warranted to further increase pharmacists' competence.