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Delivery of Pharmaceutical Care—Leaving No One Behind
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Delivery of Pharmaceutical Care—Leaving No One Behind

A special issue of Pharmacy (ISSN 2226-4787). This special issue belongs to the section "Pharmacy Practice and Practice-Based Research".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 June 2023) | Viewed by 15898

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Maria Cordina

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Head of WHO Collaborating Centre for Health Professionals Education and Research, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
Interests: pharmaceutical care; clinical research methodology; social science methodologies; clinical pharmacology; medicines; community pharmacy; medical errors; pharmaceutical policy; inappropriate prescribing, medication safety

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The past few years have presented pharmacists and other healthcare professionals with unprecedented challenges. These challenges have made us rethink the manner in which we prioritize and deliver care to individuals. The World Health Organisation has placed significant emphasis on leaving no one behind by encouraging initiatives to address inequities in health.

This Special Issue invites research papers that address the manner in which pharmacists are delivering care to individuals in order to ensure that no one is left behind. Studies in which pharmacists seek to identify vulnerable individuals or conduct interventions to improve their health outcomes and the overall life of the patient, i.e., studies looking at both patient and person-centered care. Studies that include, but are not limited to, delivery of pharmaceutical care to individuals having communicable or non-communicable diseases and for individuals with low (digital) health literacy, individuals in lower socio-economic groups, individuals from minority ethnic groups and possibly studies looking at gender disparities. Studies of how pharmacists engage with the community, beyond the patients who already benefit from pharmacy services and who tend to fall through the health/pharmacotherapeutic net are welcome.

A significant amount of pharmacists’ activities to deliver optimum pharmaceutical care to individuals may not be transparent to health policymakers, other health care professionals and patients. These activities and their impact may not always be captured by the more traditional research methods, therefore, papers employing robust innovative and emerging research approaches are encouraged.

Prof. Dr. Maria Cordina
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pharmacy is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • pharmaceutical care
  • medicines management
  • pharmacy services
  • pharmacist management of communicable and non-communicable conditions
  • lower socio economic groups
  • gender disparities
  • community engagement
  • innovative emerging research methodology

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 495 KiB  
Article
The Experience of Home Parenteral Therapy: A Thematic Analysis of Patient Interviews
by Marko Puzovic, Hana Morrissey and Patrick A. Ball
Pharmacy 2023, 11(5), 133; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmacy11050133 - 22 Aug 2023
Viewed by 1467
Abstract
Background: A limited number of studies have explored patients’ experience with home parenteral (injectable) therapy (HPT) in the UK. Aim: To explore the immediate-, short-, and long-term experience of patients with self-management of any home parenteral therapy with the intention for developing a [...] Read more.
Background: A limited number of studies have explored patients’ experience with home parenteral (injectable) therapy (HPT) in the UK. Aim: To explore the immediate-, short-, and long-term experience of patients with self-management of any home parenteral therapy with the intention for developing a guideline for service development in the United Kingdom. Methods and design: An interview-based study of patients receiving HPT. Invitations were posted to all patients on the hospital HPT register. The sessions were conducted by telephone for all consenting patients. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analysed thematically. Participants completed the ‘Health Education Impact Questionnaire’ (heiQ) before and after the education session. Results: Of the 640 patients invited to participate in the study, 45 (7%) patients completed the interviews and the education session. An interview analysis revealed that the patients’ experiences of HPT were generally positive, but the levels of training and support received showed wide individual variations. The patients had experienced periods of doubt and uncertainty, where they would have appreciated quick access to professional advice to alleviate their concerns. There was a reliable positive change (10.5–18.4%) from before and after the education sessions in six out of the eight domains on the heiQ questionnaire (health-directed behaviour, self-monitoring and insight, constructive attitudes and approaches, skill and technique acquisition, social integration and support, and emotional distress) and moderate change in two domains (5.3% in positive and negative engagement in life, and 2.6% in health services navigation). Conclusion: Self-administered parenteral therapy at home is a valuable option, but training and preparation standards should be optimised across hospitals and the wider NHS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Delivery of Pharmaceutical Care—Leaving No One Behind)
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7 pages, 231 KiB  
Communication
A Look into Pharmacy Practices among the Purépecha Indigenous Community
by Katrin Henry and David R. Axon
Pharmacy 2023, 11(4), 118; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmacy11040118 - 19 Jul 2023
Viewed by 1361
Abstract
This report describes the adoption and integration of Western medicine in Cherán K’eri after the social changes in the 1940s which led to the transition from healer to pharmacist. There are various health models that rely heavily on community pharmacies. The place used [...] Read more.
This report describes the adoption and integration of Western medicine in Cherán K’eri after the social changes in the 1940s which led to the transition from healer to pharmacist. There are various health models that rely heavily on community pharmacies. The place used as the basis for this report was a clinic managed by a Purépecha-speaking physician and pharmacist that served primarily monolingual indigenous Purépecha patients, whose population was around 9550 according to the 2010 census. Twelve major differences were observed between community pharmacies in the United States and the community pharmacies of Cherán. It was also observed that the modern approach to the health of the indigenous population used a combination of Western medicine together with traditional methods and only resorted to short-term therapies with Western medicines lasting five days or less. A formulary from the clinic’s community pharmacy compiled in 2022 listed the 38 most common medications. Medications used included anti-infectives (n = 3), central nervous system (n = 2), endocrine/hormonal (n = 3), gastrointestinal (n = 3), musculoskeletal (n = 17), respiratory or allergy (n = 6), and genitourinary (n = 2). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Delivery of Pharmaceutical Care—Leaving No One Behind)
17 pages, 549 KiB  
Article
SMART Pharmacists Serving the New Needs of the Post-COVID Patients, Leaving No-One Behind
by Tatjana Šipetić, Dragana Rajković, Nataša Bogavac Stanojević, Valentina Marinković, Arijana Meštrović and Michael J. Rouse
Pharmacy 2023, 11(2), 61; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmacy11020061 - 22 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2066
Abstract
This study aims to demonstrate the improvements in clinical symptoms in patients with post-COVID syndrome after a community pharmacy-based intervention in Serbia. The Pharmaceutical Chamber of Serbia (“Chamber”) invited pharmacists to deliver post-COVID patient care counselling, supported by the SMART Pharmacist Program, offering [...] Read more.
This study aims to demonstrate the improvements in clinical symptoms in patients with post-COVID syndrome after a community pharmacy-based intervention in Serbia. The Pharmaceutical Chamber of Serbia (“Chamber”) invited pharmacists to deliver post-COVID patient care counselling, supported by the SMART Pharmacist Program, offering education and guidance. Present symptoms, duration and patient self-reported severity of symptoms on a scale of 1–5 on the first visit were recorded. After the counselling and proposed self-medication treatment, the time of the follow-up visit and the severity of the recorded symptoms were also recorded. The prospective data collection lasted from December 2021 to September 2022. In total, 871 patients with post-COVID symptoms were included in the study, served by 53 pharmacists. The most frequently reported post-COVID symptoms coincided with the literature, mostly related to the respiratory system (51.2%), immunity status (32.2%), fatigue and exhaustion (30.7%), skin, hair and nails (27.4%) and cognitive functions (27.9%). A total of 26.5% of patients were referred to their family physician (general practitioner), and 69.5% returned to the pharmacist for a follow-up visit. On the first visit, the median severity of patients’ symptoms was three, while on the second visit it dropped to one. The pharmacists’ intervention led to a significant improvement in the post-COVID patients’ condition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Delivery of Pharmaceutical Care—Leaving No One Behind)
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8 pages, 553 KiB  
Article
Home Drug Delivery Service from the Perspective of Community Pharmacy Staff in Saudi Arabia
by Majed Ahmed Algarni, Mona Yaser Alsheikh, Ahmed Ibrahim Fathelrahman, Meshal Suwaylih Alzaidi, Fawaz Jilan Faqeeh, Abdulelah Mohammad Althobaiti and Ali Mofleh Alshahrani
Pharmacy 2022, 10(6), 162; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmacy10060162 - 29 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2543
Abstract
Background: In response to COVID-19, many big pharmacy chains in Saudi Arabia have started to provide home drug delivery services. This study aims to understand home drug delivery service from the perspective of community pharmacists in Saudi Arabia. Also, the study investigates [...] Read more.
Background: In response to COVID-19, many big pharmacy chains in Saudi Arabia have started to provide home drug delivery services. This study aims to understand home drug delivery service from the perspective of community pharmacists in Saudi Arabia. Also, the study investigates the obstacles that may limit the use of home drug delivery service. Methods: A cross-sectional self-reported survey was distributed from February 2021 to May 2021. Descriptive analysis of sociodemographic characteristics was conducted and presented. Frequencies and percentages were calculated for all variables. Results: A total of 965 community pharmacists were surveyed. Most of the pharmacists, (73.5%) were young, aged 23 to 34 years old. The vast majority of the participants, (93.6%), said that the service will improve drug adherence. The lack of required knowledge and skills among pharmacists could be the main obstacle to implement home drug delivery service (34%). A shortage in the number of community pharmacists was the second main obstacle (24%). Conclusion: Home delivery services in the future may largely replace the tradition of going in person to the pharmacy. There are obstacles that may limit the full use of the service like shortage in number of pharmacists and the lack of required training. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Delivery of Pharmaceutical Care—Leaving No One Behind)
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Review

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13 pages, 652 KiB  
Review
Expanding Pharmacists’ Role in the Management of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
by Majid Mufaqam Syed-Abdul
Pharmacy 2023, 11(5), 151; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmacy11050151 - 21 Sep 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2230
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) stands as an increasingly pressing global health challenge, underscoring the need for timely identification to facilitate effective treatment and prevent the progression of chronic liver disorders. Given the projected scarcity of specialized healthcare professionals, particularly hepatologists and gastroenterologists, [...] Read more.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) stands as an increasingly pressing global health challenge, underscoring the need for timely identification to facilitate effective treatment and prevent the progression of chronic liver disorders. Given the projected scarcity of specialized healthcare professionals, particularly hepatologists and gastroenterologists, the role of pharmacists emerges as pivotal in NAFLD management. This article sheds light on the potential of pharmacists within community pharmacy settings, not as diagnostic entities, but as facilitators in recognizing and screening individuals at elevated NAFLD risk using validated non-invasive tools like portable devices and calculators. By prioritizing patient education, referrals, and continuous monitoring, pharmacists can refine NAFLD management, ultimately advancing patient outcomes. Enhancing pharmacists’ impact in early NAFLD detection and management can be facilitated through collaborations with healthcare institutions and the incorporation of patient self-assessment tools. This collaborative approach holds promise for further promoting improved liver health within the community. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Delivery of Pharmaceutical Care—Leaving No One Behind)
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13 pages, 517 KiB  
Review
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Community-Based Pharmacies: A Scoping Review
by Tamera D. Hughes, Jessica S. Roller, Faustina Hahn and Stefanie P. Ferreri
Pharmacy 2023, 11(3), 93; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmacy11030093 - 2 Jun 2023
Viewed by 1774
Abstract
As pharmacy practice shifts its focus toward population health care needs that serve public health, there is a need to understand community-based pharmacies’ contributions to the reduction in health disparities. A scoping review was conducted to identify what community-based pharmacies in the United [...] Read more.
As pharmacy practice shifts its focus toward population health care needs that serve public health, there is a need to understand community-based pharmacies’ contributions to the reduction in health disparities. A scoping review was conducted to identify what community-based pharmacies in the United States are doing to target racial and ethnic disparities in community-based pharmacies. Forty-two articles revealed that community-based pharmacy services addressed racial and ethnic inequities in a variety of ways, including the types of interventions employed, as well as the ethnicities and conditions of the sample populations. Future work should focus on ensuring interventions are carried out throughout pharmacy practice and accessible to all racial and ethnic minoritized populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Delivery of Pharmaceutical Care—Leaving No One Behind)
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12 pages, 592 KiB  
Review
Medication-Related Outcomes and Health Equity: Evidence for Pharmaceutical Care
by Tamasine Grimes, Romaric Marcilly, Lorna Bonnici West and Maria Cordina
Pharmacy 2023, 11(2), 60; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmacy11020060 - 22 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3569
Abstract
Marginalised people experience diminished access to pharmaceutical care and worse medication-related outcomes than the general population. Health equity is a global priority. This article explores the key evidence of health inequity and medication use, structures the causes and contributory factors and suggests opportunities [...] Read more.
Marginalised people experience diminished access to pharmaceutical care and worse medication-related outcomes than the general population. Health equity is a global priority. This article explores the key evidence of health inequity and medication use, structures the causes and contributory factors and suggests opportunities that can be taken to advance the pharmaceutical care agenda so as to achieve health equity. The causes of, and contributors to, this inequity are multi-fold, with patient- and person-related factors being the most commonly reported. Limited evidence is available to identify risk factors related to other aspects of a personal medication use system, such as technology, tasks, tools and the internal and the external environments. Multiple opportunities exist to enhance equity in medication-related outcomes through pharmaceutical care research and practice. To optimise the effects and the sustainable implementation of these opportunities, it is important to (1) ensure the meaningful inclusion and engagement of members of marginalised groups, (2) use a person-centred approach and (3) apply a systems-based approach to address all of the necessary components of a system that interact and form a network as work processes that produce system outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Delivery of Pharmaceutical Care—Leaving No One Behind)
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