Action Research: a valuable research technique for service delivery development

The evaluation of healthcare practice and service delivery is fraught with difficulties. Service development and / or delivery occurs within socially dynamic settings which are in a continual state of change. Service development also often involves large elements of improvisation. The action research approach is useful for health service research, as it supports collaboration between researchers and practitioners, and not only allows but makes explicit that the action researcher has both roles within the setting being studied. This paper discusses action research methodology and offers insight into principles that favor its use for service delivery development. This includes consideration of the interactive variables within studies of health care systems and the importance of evaluating relationships between stakeholders to understand how these factors or variables, which cannot be controlled for, are responsible for successful development of the service. Action research facilitates change and helps bridge the heory--practice gap. With the current dynamic changes within both the pharmacy profession and national health services, researchers may find the action research technique of value when considering new roles and innovative ways of engaging in collaborative, multi-disciplinary working to improve delivery of patient care.Accepted july 2004     

Frequency, nature and determinants of pharmaceutical consultations provided in private by Dutch community pharmacists

OBJECTIVE: According to a report published by the federation of Dutch patients' associations, patients would like to see a pharmacist, who acts more as a personal adviser. This raised the question, how often Dutch community pharmacists have personal consultations with their patients in daily practice, on which factors this depends, and what kind of topics are discussed during these meetings. SETTING: Community pharmacies in the Netherlands. METHOD: A questionnaire was distributed among 800 randomly selected pharmacies. Questions were restricted to consultations characterized by one-to-one contact, drug therapy related content, and adequate privacy. These consultations were labelled as pharmaceutical consultations in private to distinguish them from other contacts between pharmacists and patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Number, content, and character of consultations. RESULTS: 198 (24.8%) community pharmacies responded. The pharmacists provide an average of roughly 1.2 consultations in private per working day. The vast majority of respondents provided face-to-face and telephone consultations (94.4 and 91.9%, respectively), only a minority gave consultations by e-mail (30.8%). These consultations primarily dealt with topics related to medication safety. The mean overall time spent was 290 min per month. A relatively high frequency of personal consultations was significantly associated with the absolute number of full-time equivalent pharmacists in the pharmacy. CONCLUSION: The frequency of pharmaceutical consultations in private is low, but may be improved by reorganisation of the pharmacist's activities. The possibility of personal consultations by e-mail is not yet well-developed. Further research is needed to assess the patient's view of pharmaceutical consultations in private.     

Evaluation of the Chemical Composition of Dacryodes Edulis and Raphia Hookeri Mann and Wendl Exudates used in Herbal Medicine in South Eastern Nigeria

The phytochemical contents and medicinal values of Dacroydes edulis and Raphia hookeri exudates were investigated. Phytochemical screening of the plant showed that they contain the presence of bioactive compounds comprising saponins (2.08–3.98mg 100g⁻¹), alkaloids (0.28–0.49 mg 100g⁻¹), tannins (0.47–0.72 mg 100g⁻¹), flavonoids (0.26–0.39 mg 100g⁻¹), and phenolic compounds (0.01–0.05 mg 100g⁻¹). The carbohydrates, lipids and protein content were 77.42–78.90%, 2.02–4.185% and 16.63–18.38% respectively. The exudates are a good source of water soluble vitamins; ascorbic acid (7.04–26.40 mg 100g⁻¹), niacin (3.12–4.00 mg 100g⁻¹), riboflavin (0.14–0.54 mg 100g⁻¹) and thiamine (0.15–0.22 mg 100g⁻¹),). Both plants exudates are good sources of minerals such as Ca, Mg, P, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn while Cr and Co were trace. These results indicate that exudates can be potential sources of feedstock for the pharmaceutical industry.     

Examining community pharmacists’ intention to provide pharmacist-driven vaccination services: A structural equation modelling

BackgroundThe evidence of pharmacists' current involvement in vaccination services in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is uncertain. This study would be a first step to develop vaccination services by investigating community pharmacists’ intention to be involved in PDV services not just during COVID-19 pandemic but also during standard service provision in Turkey which can be taken as an example across LMICs.ObjectiveConsidering the efforts to empower community pharmacists in service provision, the goal of the present study was to develop a structural equation model to explain the “Pharmacist-Driven Vaccination Service Intention Model (PDV-SIM)” by using the theory of planned behavior (TPB).MethodsBased on the constructs of TPB, a measurement tool was developed. Sub-factors of PDV service intention was determined by conducting exploratory factor analysis (EFA). In the second step, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to prove the theoretical structure of the tool. Finally, a model explaining the relationship between observed variables, latent constructs from TPB was developed by SEM analysis.ResultsIn the proposed PDV-SIM, patient related attitude toward PDV services, attitude toward negative consequences of PDV services, and subjective norm about PDV services had an impact on the behavioral intention of community pharmacists. Nevertheless, professional development attitude toward PDV services and perceived behavioral control were not evaluated as determinants of the behavioral intention.ConclusionResults of this study revealed that TPB is appropriate for modelling PDV service intention of community pharmacists. This model can be utilized as a guide to potential pharmacy regulatory bodies and policy makers in their efforts to enable community pharmacists as vaccinators across LMICs.     

Human leukocyte interferon-α in cream,for the treatment of genital warts in asian women a placebo-controlled,double-blind study

The purpose of this double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to determine and compare the clinical efficacy and tolerance of human leukocyte -interferon (incorporated 2 × 10⁶ IU/g) in hydrophilic cream to cure genital warts. Preselected Asian female patients (n=150) aged 18–40 years (mean 22.5), with the clinical and biopsy-confirmed diagnosis of genital warts (mean 2.64), predominantly flat vaginal condylomas, were randomly allocated to 3 parallel groups. Each patient was given a coded tube containing 80 g placebo/active preparation with a graduated applicator. Patients were instructed to inject 6 g of the either alloted placebo/active cream deep into the vagina thrice a day for 3 consecutive days (group A) or 4 consecutive days (group B) per week, and if not cured the same treatment was extended to 3 more weeks (maximum 4 weeks active treatment). To assess the clinical efficacy patients were examined on a week-to-week basis. A total clearance of warts (biopsy-confirmed) was evaluated as a complete cure. Patients cured during the treatment were spared further treatment and were requested to visit us after 16 weeks for relapse control. As for the remaining patients, empty tubes were collected, and similarly coded replacement tubes were given for further treatment (in total 588 tubes were used). By the end of the treatment 57.2% lesions (227/397) were eliminated in all the groups: 48% patients in group A, 90% patients in group B, and 10% patients in placebo groups taken as completely cured. Of the 150 patients 128 (85.3%) did not complain of any drug-related adverse symptoms. Transitory increase in body temperature (mean 38.4°C), accompanied by headache (14.6%) and generalized itching (6.6%) were the most frequently reported side effects; however, treatment was well tolerated by all the patients, and there were no dropouts. Our findings indicate that clinical efficacy is dose dependent, that is, the results of group B were significantly superior to that of group A (P < 0.05). Of the 49.3% cured patients (74/150) followed up for 6 months (monthly basis) seven had a relapse, and none had reinfection. It is concluded that clinical efficacy of leukocyte interferon-a to cure genital warts is dose dependent. These results further support the view that leukocyte interferon-a incorporated in hydrophilic cream can be considered a reliable, safe, and home-based treatment to cure vulvar and vaginal warts.Abbreviation HPV human papillomavirus     

知识管理在我院药学部的应用

目的:探讨知识管理在医院药学部(药剂科)的应用。方法:总结近年来我院药学部关于知识管理的数种模式。结果:我院药学部知识管理已基本成型。结论:通过知识管理,增强了药学部的应变能力和创新能力。     

从药品的特殊属性谈医药企业的服务营销

目的 :探讨我国医药企业在市场竞争日益激烈的现状下的服务营销策略选择。方法 :分析处方药品和非处方药品的服务特性 ,并介绍药品市场营销的新观念———服务营销的发展及应用。结果与结论 :医药企业的服务营销应针对处方药品走服务的差异化、有形化、规范化道路 ;针对非处方药品走服务的标准化、技巧化、品牌化道路。     

试论品牌管理在制药业中的潜能

目的:发掘制药业品牌管理的潜能,探讨品牌管理在制药业中的重要性。方法:从制药业目前的环境入手,分析品牌管理的发展机遇。结果与结论:制药业的品牌管理面临前所未有的发展契机。随着产品时代的结束,品牌管理已成为制药业获得竞争优势的一项重要资源。     

探索制药工程本科专业培养方案新思路

对国内外大学制药工程专业进行了调研、考察，邀请校内有关专家进行多次论证，并通过培养方案的可行性答辩，认为制药工程人才应具备厚基础、宽口径、重实践的知识结构；课程体系设置为通识类、学科类与集中实践三部分。     

美国制药工程教育一瞥

美国的制药行业产值约占全球的三分之二 ,面对药物研发和生产制造过程的困难 ,企业兼并重组 ,研发战略正在改变。制药工程可望提高研发效率 ,优化生产制造过程 ,从而降低成本。制药工程教育可能是解决行业问题的理想方案