Therese Kairuz

Identifying compliance issues with prescription medicines among older people: A pilot study

AbstractBackground: Older people are at greater risk from polypharmacy and adverse effects due to interactions and altered pharmacokinetics. They may also have greater difficulty managing their medicines and complying with dosage regimens for various reasons. Objective: To identify the types of medicine compliance issues that occur among older people. Method: The study was undertaken in suburbs of the city of Auckland, New Zealand. A sample of 31 older people (≥65 years of age) living in the community consented to participate in the study. Semi-structured interviews and observation were used to determine how older people were managing their medicines. Observation of the interaction between the pharmacist and older person was performed to gather baseline information and semi-structured interviews were undertaken within 1 month to determine how older people were using their medicines and to identify compliance issues surrounding their use of medicines. Observation of the pharmacist-older person interaction was undertaken in the pharmacy where the older people usually collected their medicines, and participants were subsequently interviewed in their homes. The main outcome measure was compliance issues associated with the use of medicines. Results: The main issues identified were alteration of labelled medicine instructions; transferring medicine into other containers and the associated labelling and safety issues; and patients not taking medicines for various reasons, including swallowing difficulties, expense, difficulty in opening packaging, confusion about the regimen and adverse effects experienced and personal reasons. There was an average of five compliance issues per participant. Conclusion: This study identified intentional and non-intentional compliance issues that could hinder the optimal use of medicines by older people who are at greater risk of medicine-related adverse effects. Large quantities of medicines, confusion, and lack of knowledge as to why a medicine had been prescribed contributed to non-compliance. Appropriate communication between the pharmacist and patient, patient education and aids such as medication cards and referral for medication review could improve compliance in this age group.

Investigating the association between health literacy and non-adherence.

Background Low health literacy is expected to be associated with medication non-adherence and early research indicated that this might be the case. Further research suggested that the relationship may be more equivocal. Aim of the review The goal of this paper is initially to clarify whether there is a clear relationship between health literacy and non-adherence. Additionally, this review aims to identify factors that may influence that relationship and ultimately to better understand the mechanisms that may be at work in the relationship. Method English language original research or published reviews of health literacy and non-adherence to orally administered medications in adults were identified through a search of four bibliographic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and EBSCO Health). Results The search protocol produced 78 potentially relevant articles, of which 16 articles addressed factors that contribute to non-adherence and 24 articles reported on the results of research into the relationship between non-adherence and health literacy. Factors that contribute to non-adherence can be categorised into patient related factors, including patient beliefs; medication related factors; logistical factors; and factors around the patient-provider relationship. Of the 23 original research articles that investigated the relationship between non-adherence and health literacy, only five reported finding clear evidence of a relationship, four reported mixed results and 15 articles reported not finding the expected relationship. Research on possible mechanisms relating health literacy to non-adherence suggest that disease and medication knowledge are not sufficient for addressing non-adherence while self-efficacy is an important factor. Other findings suggest a possible U-shaped relationship between non-adherence and health literacy where people with low health literacy are more often non-adherent, largely unintentionally; people with moderate health literacy are most adherent; and people with high health literacy are somewhat non-adherent, sometimes due to intentional non-adherence. Conclusion It is clear that relevant research generally fails to find a significant relationship between non-adherence and health literacy. A U-shaped relationship between these two conditions would explain why linear statistical tests fail to identify a relationship across all three levels of health literacy. It can also account for the conditions under which both positive and negative relationships may be found.

Exploring health literacy competencies in community pharmacy

Background  Health literacy is the ability to obtain, interpret and use health information. Low rates of health literacy in Australia have been suggested, but no validated measure exists.

Population impact of depression either as a risk factor or consequence of type 2 diabetes in adults: a meta-analysis of longitudinal studies

This meta-analysis examined the reciprocal relationship between depression and diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) by conducting a bias adjusted meta-analysis of longitudinal studies using relative and absolute risk estimates. Specifically, the data were reconstructed to compute relative risk (RR), risk difference (RD), and the number needed to be exposed for one additional person to be harmed (NNEH) or benefited (NNEB). The 25 studies selected for review generated 29 datasets of which 15 examined endpoint A (depression as a risk factor for T2DM), and 14 examined endpoint B (T2DM as a risk factor for depression). For both endpoints, there was a small relative risk increase (for both the RR and hazard ratio (HR)) though with significant heterogeneity between studies. This however translated to a non-significant NNEH of 87 (NNEB 161 to ∞ to NNEH 35) and NNEH of 233 (NNEB 28 to ∞ to NNEH 23) for studies examining endpoint A and endpoint B respectively. This study suggests that the magnitude of the relative risk increase for depression as a risk factor or consequence of T2DM is small without significant impact on absolute risk indices. While these risks may be considered in terms of individual patient management, they are unlikely to have an impact on a population perspective.

Understanding, perceptions and self-use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among Malaysian pharmacy students.

BackgroundIn recent times the basic understanding, perceptions and CAM use among undergraduate health sciences students have become a topic of interest. This study was aimed to investigate the understanding, perceptions and self-use of CAM among pharmacy students in Malaysia.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted on 500 systematically sampled pharmacy students from two private and one public university. A validated, self-administered questionnaire comprised of seven sections was used to gather the data. A systematic sampling was applied to recruit the students. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were applied using SPSS® version 18.ResultsOverall, the students tend to disagree that complementary therapies (CM) are a threat to public health (mean score = 3.6) and agreed that CMs include ideas and methods from which conventional medicine could benefit (mean score = 4.7). More than half (57.8%) of the participants were currently using CAM while 77.6% had used it previously. Among the current CAM modalities used by the students, CM (21.9%) was found to be the most frequently used CAM followed by Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) (21%). Most of the students (74.8%) believed that lack of scientific evidence is one of the most important barriers obstructing them to use CAM. More than half of the students perceived TCM (62.8%) and music therapy (53.8%) to be effective. Majority of them (69.3%) asserted that CAM knowledge is necessary to be a well-rounded professional.ConclusionsThis study reveals a high-percentage of pharmacy students who were using or had previously used at least one type of CAM. Students of higher professional years tend to agree that CMs include ideas and methods from which conventional medicine could benefit.

Management of children’s fever by parents and caregivers Practical measurement of functional health literacy

Functional health literacy is founded on general and numerical literacy and practical skills and is required for the appropriate and effective management of health symptoms in children. This study aimed to assess the health literacy skills of parents and caregivers of preschool-aged children, using a progressive scenario describing a child with fever and presenting tasks relating to selection of a medicine and hypothetical dosing of their child. Participants (n = 417) from 33 childcare- and health-related sites in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Auckland completed the study. Participants’ responses were largely appropriate regarding actions in response to worsening symptoms, selection of an appropriate product (from a limited range), whereby 84.5% of responses were for a single-ingredient paracetamol product and use of the package directions to state the frequency of dosing (93.1% of frequencies appropriate for paracetamol and 66.7% for ibuprofen). However, in only 50.8% of cases was an appropriate weight-based dose calculated, and doses were not measured to within 10% of the stated dose in 16.7% of cases. Future studies should focus on skill development via educational campaigns for parents and caregivers.

Sedative-hypnotic treatment in an acute psychiatric setting: comparison with best practice guidance

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to review treatment patterns of sedative-hypnotic agents within an acute adult inpatient psychiatric service, compare prescribing with best-practice recommendations for use and explore potential interventions.SettingTwo urban acute inpatient psychiatric units in the Waitemata community.MethodA retrospective review of all consecutive admissions to these two adult psychiatric units was conducted during the period 1st January to 30th June 2002. Patient demographics, diagnosis and sedative-hypnotic treatment data were extracted from clinical files. Average benzodiazepine daily dose was calculated for each admission in diazepam equivalents (Diaze).Main outcome measuresSedative-hypnotic treatment administered, duration of treatment, average daily dose, and discharge treatment.ResultsData from 257 patients and 293 admissions were analysed. Almost all admissions (86.7%) involved treatment with a sedative-hypnotic. A benzodiazepine was prescribed for 82.6% of admissions, of which 64.9% was administered on an “as-needed (prn)” basis. Zopiclone was used in 56.7% of admissions, of which 83.7% was “as-needed (prn)” treatment. Most benzodiazepine treatment was with a single agent (61.6%) and lorazepam was the most frequently prescribed (54.8%). Over two-thirds of admissions used benzodiazepine treatment for 50% or less of the admission duration. The duration of treatment was shortest in those with a diagnosis of schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder. Almost two-thirds of admissions were discharged without any prescription for sedative-hypnotic treatment.ConclusionThe use of sedative-hypnotic treatment in the acute adult inpatient psychiatric environment compared favourably with best practice recommendations regarding dose, duration of treatment and discharge treatment. The study identified key areas for intervention by clinical pharmacists to ensure appropriate use of sedative-hypnotics including in-service education, regular review of all sedative-hypnotic treatment and discharge medication planning.

Access to medication and pharmacy services for resettled refugees: a systematic review

The difficulties that resettled refugees experience in accessing primary health-care services have been widely documented. In most developed countries, pharmacists are often the first health-care professional contacted by consumers; however, the ability of refugees to access community pharmacies and medication may be limited. This review systematically reviewed the literature and synthesised findings of research that explored barriers and/or facilitators of access to medication and pharmacy services for resettled refugees. This review adhered to guidelines for systematic reviews by PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses). Databases were searched during March 2014 and included Scopus, ProQuest Sociological Abstracts, PubMed, Embase and APAIS Health. The Australian and International grey literature was also explored. Nine studies met the quality and inclusion criteria. The research reported in seven of the nine studies was conducted in the US, one was conducted in Australia and the other in the UK. The majority of studies focussed on South-east Asian refugees. Themes identified across the studies included language and the use of interpreters; navigating the Western health-care system; culture and illness beliefs; medication non-adherence; use of traditional medicine; and family, peer and community support. There is a significant paucity of published research exploring barriers to medication and pharmacy services among resettled refugees. This systematic review highlights the need for appropriate interpreting and translation services, as well as pharmacy staff demonstrating effective cross-cultural communication skills.

Incidence and risk of diabetes mellitus associated with depressive symptoms in adults: Evidence from longitudinal studies

AIMS We estimated the incidence and risk of diabetes associated with depressive symptoms using data from longitudinal studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS Databases were systematically searched for relevant studies. Incidence of diabetes is presented as cumulative incident proportion (CIP). Pooled effect sizes were calculated using random-effects model. The data were reconstructed to compute relative risk (RR). RESULTS The 16 studies selected for review generated 16 datasets of which 8 studies reporting binary estimates (RR) and 8 studies reporting time-to-event estimates (hazard ratio (HR)). Both RR and HR were significant at 1.67 (95% CI: 1.30-2.15) and 1.45 (95% CI: 1.12-1.87) for incident diabetes associated with depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION Our observations revealed greater cumulative incidence of diabetes in depressed than in non depressed groups. Depression should be included among risk factors that required regular screening for diabetes.

Perceptions of graduates and preceptors regarding a new pharmacy programme

Objective: To explore perceptions of pharmacy graduates and preceptors regarding a new undergraduate pharmacy degree. Method: Data from focus groups and interviews with pharmacy graduates and preceptors were qualitatively analysed by thematic coding. Results: Participants identified strengths such as clinical knowledge and research skills; areas needing improvement were communications and calculations. Other areas identified by both graduates and preceptors included organization and management skills, longer externship experiential learning and extemporaneous compounding. It was suggested that extending the duration of the externship experience would facilitate the shift into the workplace and consolidate undergraduate learning. The internship programme was considered essential for personal development and for putting theory into practice. Conclusion: Both preceptors and graduates were satisfied with the undergraduate program. The knowledge, skills and attitudes displayed by graduates were considered to be adequate, providing a firm foundation for future practice.