Colin B. Chapman

Community pharmacy in the United Arab Emirates: Characteristics and workforce issues

Objectives  To determine the characteristics and workforce issues of community pharmacy practice in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Emergency department attendances associated with drug‐related problems in paediatrics

Objectives:  To determine the frequency and characteristics of paediatric emergency department attendances associated with drug‐related problems (DRP) at three Victorian hospitals.

Assessing patient satisfaction with community pharmacy in the UAE using a newly-validated tool

BACKGROUND Patient satisfaction has become an integral component of the quality of healthcare services. It has been used for the purpose of performance assessment, reimbursement, and quality management of health service delivery. It has been suggested that patient satisfaction could be a predictor of health-related behavior. OBJECTIVES To develop and validate a tool for use within the Arabic context to assess patient satisfaction. To assess patient satisfaction with current community pharmacy services in the UAE using the validated tool. METHODS A systematic process was used to develop an assessment tool that could be used within the Arabic context and establish its validity and reliability. Survey participants assessed their satisfaction with the services based on a 5-point Likert-type scale: Poor = 1, Fair = 2, Good = 3, Very good = 4, Excellent = 5. The anonymous questionnaire was distributed over a 5-month period to eligible participants in public places such as malls and shopping markets, in various emirates across the UAE. Those who were 21 years or older, taking at least one scheduled (regular) medication and having adequate Arabic or English language proficiency were included. RESULTS The instrument comprised four dimensions: Information, Relationship, Accessibility and Availability. Participants required more information about medications and self-management (Mean = 2.49 ± 1.19). Measures of competence, i.e., care, interest, time, confidence and trust, could also be improved (Mean = 3.05 ± 1.07). Accessibility scores measuring physical, geographical and financial items were lowest (Mean = 2.80 ± 1.33). Overall scores on availability of medications indicated relative satisfaction with this dimension (Mean = 3.51 ± 0.7). CONCLUSIONS This study is the first to use a patient satisfaction tool specifically developed for the Arabic context. Patient satisfaction scores in all dimensions were significantly lower than published data, suggesting patients have unmet expectations of community pharmacy services in the UAE. Stakeholders could utilize this information to help in the design and delivery of improved services that could lead to increased demand.

Community pharmacy services in the United Arab Emirates

Objectives  To identify the type and frequency of services provided through community pharmacies in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Pharmacy access to the emergency contraceptive pill: a national survey of a random sample of Australian women

BACKGROUND The emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) has the potential to assist in reducing unintended pregnancy and abortion rates. Since its rescheduling to pharmacy availability without prescription in Australia in January 2004, there is little information about Australian womens knowledge, attitudes and use of the ECP. The aim of this study was to measure the knowledge about the ECP and sociodemographic patterns of and barriers to use of the ECP. STUDY DESIGN A cross-sectional study, using a computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI) survey conducted with a national random sample of 632 Australian women aged 16-35 years. RESULTS Most women had heard of the ECP (95%) and 26% had used it. The majority of women agreed with pharmacy availability of the ECP (72%); however, only 48% were aware that it was available from pharmacies without a prescription. About a third (32%) believed the ECP to be an abortion pill. The most common reason for not using the ECP was that women did not think they were at risk of getting pregnant (57%). Logistic regression showed that women aged 20-29 years (OR 2.58; CI: 1.29-5.19) and 30-35 years (OR 3.16; CI: 1.47-6.80) were more likely to have used the ECP than those aged 16-19 years. Women with poor knowledge of the ECP were significantly less likely to have used it than those with very good knowledge (OR 0.28; CI: 0.09-0.77). Those in a de facto relationship (OR 2.21; CI: 1.27-3.85), in a relationship but not living with the partner (OR 2.46; 95% CI 1.31-4.63) or single women (OR 2.40; CI: 1.33-4.34) were more likely to have used the ECP than married women. CONCLUSIONS Women in Australia have a high level of awareness of the ECP, but more information and education about how to use it and where to obtain it are still needed.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN ENZYME-LINKED IMMUNOSORBENT ASSAY (ELISA) FOR CEPHALEXIN

Cephalexin was structurally modified by the attachment of a spacer at the carboxylic acid through which it was subsequently covalently attached to BSA. This method permitted the molecule to be attached without cleavage of the beta-lactam ring giving a conjugate distinct from previously described immunogenic preparations of penicillins and cephalosporins. This approach required the development of a novel spacer molecule, and its synthesis and characterisation are reported. Rabbits were used to raise antisera and the antibodies produced were characterised with respect to their reactivity with cephalexin and various analogues, other cephalosporins, and a number of penicillins.

Medicine‐taking experiences and associated factors: comparison between Arabic‐speaking and Caucasian English‐speaking patients with Type 2 diabetes

The aim of this study was to explore and compare medication‐taking experiences and associated issues in Arabic‐speaking and Caucasian English‐speaking patients with Type 2 diabetes in Australia.

The CDM-Net Project: The Development, Implementation and Evaluation of a Broadband-Based Network for Managing Chronic Disease

Background. In Australia most chronic disease management is funded by Medicare Australia through General Practitioner Management Plans (GPMPs) and Team Care Arrangements (TCAs). Identified barriers may be reduced effectively using a broadband-based network known as the Chronic Disease Management Service (CDMS). Aims. To measure the uptake and adherence to CDMS, test CDMS, and assess the adherence of health providers and patients to GPMPs and TCAs generated through CDMS. Methods. A single cohort before and after study. Results. GPMPs and TCAs increased. There was no change to prescribed medicines or psychological quality of life. Attendance at allied health professionals increased, but decreased at pharmacies. Overall satisfaction with CDMS was high among GPs, allied health professionals, and patients. Conclusion. This study demonstrates proof of concept, but replication or continuation of the study is desirable to enable the impact of CDMS on diabetes outcomes to be determined.

Exploring Medication Risk among Older Residents in Supported Residential Services: A Cross-Sectional Study

Older residents in supported residential services (SRS) are often on multiple medications and may be at risk of medication misadventure. Their medication risk and uptake of medication reviews by pharmacists has not been investigated.

Adverse drug reactions in paediatrics: are we getting the full picture?

Aim: To investigate the frequency of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) occurring within the paediatric inpatient population of three hospitals and to obtain an estimate of the degree of under‐reporting with ADR monitoring methods commonly employed in hospitals.