Attitudes and Perceptions of Healthcare Providers and Medical Students Towards Clinical Pharmacy Services in United Arab Emirates

Purpose: To explore healthcare providers' (HCPs) and medical students’ attitudes to, and perceptions of the pharmaceutical services that clinical pharmacists can provide in United Arab Emirates.Methods: A total of 535 participants (265 HCPs and 270 medical students) were asked to complete a questionnaire over a period of three months (January through March 2009). Results: Almost three quarters of the students perceived that the clinical pharmacist is an important part of the healthcare team while 82% believed that clinical pharmacists can help improve the quality of medical care in hospitals. Eighty one percent of medical students expressed confidence in the ability of clinical pharmacists to minimize medication errors. Although slightly more than half of the respondents (53%) reported that they did not have clinical pharmacy services in their institutions, there was substantial willingness among physicians and nurses to cooperate with clinical pharmacists. The majority of physicians (92%) and nurses (87%) expressed the view that the clinical pharmacist is an important integral part of the healthcare team. Conclusion: The HCPs and medical students in the study setting valued the role of clinical pharmacists in healthcare delivery. However, new developments in pharmacy services in the UAE hospital setting is recommended for adoption in hospitals.Key words: Clinical pharmacy services, Pharmaceutical care, Perception, Healthcare providers

Self-medication with oral antibiotics among University students in United Arab Emirates

Purpose: To investigate the prevalence of antibiotic use without prescriptions and to identify factors associated with this behavior among university students using oral non-prescription drugs (ONPD). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the students of major universities in UAE. A multistage sampling technique was used in the present study. Results: Out of 2875 students, only 2355 (81.9 %) questionnaire were fully answered and included. Of 2355, more than half (1348; 57.2 %) of the participants reported using ONPD. More than one-third (484, 35.9 %) of 1348 participants used antibiotics without a prescription during the 90 days prior to the present study. Binary logistic regression identified nine statistically significant variables: nationality (OR = 0.471, 95 % CI: 0.326 - 0.681, p < 0.001); cost-influence behavior (OR = 1.716, 95 % CI: 1.175 - 2.508, p < 0.005); belief in ONPD effectiveness (OR = 0.332, 95 % CI: 0 .135 - 0.815, p < 0.05); year of study (OR = 0.310, 95 %, CI: 0.141 - 0.681, p < 0.004); medication knowledge (OR = 0.619, 95 % CI: 0.443 - 0.866, p < 0.005); self-care orientation (OR=1.878, 95 % CI: 1.304 - 2.706, p < 0.001); using ONPD helps to save money (OR=1.665, 95 % CI: 1.047-2.649, p<0.04); and urgency of use (OR = 1.644, 95 %, CI: 1.144 - 2.363, p < 0.007); as well as being healthcare students (OR = 1.465, 95 %, CI: 1.012 - 2.120, p < 0.05). Conclusion: There is a need for educational intervention to improve students’ knowledge, attitude, and awareness regarding the risk of using antibiotics without prescriptions

Perception of community pharmacists towards the barriers to enhanced pharmacy services in the healthcare system of Dubai: a quantitative approach

Background: In many developing countries, pharmacists are facing many challenges while they try to enhance the quality of services provided to patients approaching community pharmacies.Objective: To explore perception of community pharmacists in Dubai regarding the obstacles to enhanced pharmacy services using a part of the results from a nation-wide quantitative survey.Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to 281 full-time licensed community pharmacists in Dubai. The questionnaire had 5 inter-linked sections: demographic information, information about the pharmacy, interaction with physicians, pharmacists’ current professional role, and barriers to enhanced pharmacy services.Results: About half of the respondents (45.4%, n=90) agreed that pharmacy clients under-estimate them and 52.5% (n=104) felt the same by physicians. About 47.5% (n=94) of the respondents felt that they are legally unprotected against profession’s malpractice. Moreover, 64.7% (n=128) stated that pharmacy practice in Dubai turned to be business-focused. In addition, 76.8% (n=252) found that one of the major barriers to enhanced pharmacy services is the high business running cost. Pharmacists screened tried to prove that they are not one of the barriers to optimized pharmacy services as 62.7% (n=124) disagreed that they lack appropriate knowledge needed to serve community and 67.7% (n=134) gave the same response when asked whether pharmacy staff lack confidence when treating consumers or not.Conclusions: Although being well established within the community, pharmacists in Dubai negatively perceived their own professional role. They stated that there are number of barriers which hinder optimized delivery of pharmacy services like under-estimation by pharmacy clients and other healthcare professionals, pressure to make sales, and high running cost

A qualitative study exploring public perceptions on the role of community pharmacists in Dubai

Background: The role of community pharmacists is very important due to their access to primary care patients and expertise. For this reason, the interaction level between pharmacists and patients should be optimized to ensure enhanced delivery of pharmacy services.Objective: To gauge perceptions and expectations of the public on the role of community pharmacists in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).Methods: Twenty five individuals were invited to participate in 4 separate focus group discussions. Individuals came from different racial groups and socio-economic backgrounds. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Using thematic analysis, two reviewers coded all transcripts to identify emerging themes. Appropriate measures were taken to ensure study rigor and validity.Results: All facilitators and barriers that were identified were grouped into 5 distinct themes. The pharmacist as a healthcare professional in the public mind was the most prominent theme that was discussed in all 4 focus groups. Other themes identified were, in decreasing order of prevalence, psychological perceptions towards pharmacists, important determinants of a pharmacist, the pharmacy as a unique healthcare provider, and control over pharmacies by health authorities.Conclusions: This study provided insight into the way that the public looks at the role of community pharmacists in Dubai. Determinants that influence their perception are the media, health authorities, pharmacist’s knowledge level, attire, nationality, age, and pharmacy location

Denosumab Use in Chronic Kidney Disease Associated Osteoporosis: A Narrative Review

Abduelmula R Abduelkarem,1,2 Adnane Guella,3 Amar M Hamrouni,4 Mohammed M Hassanein,1 Ahmed Nasr,5 Owais Rana6 1Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; 2Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; 3Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; 4Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates; 5Pharmacy Department, University Hospital Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; 6Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab EmiratesCorrespondence: Abduelmula R Abduelkarem, Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, University City Road - University City, PO Box 27272, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, Tel +97165057443, Email [email protected]: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hemodialysis (HD) patients have a high incidence of bone disease and increased fracture risk, making effective management of their bone health a clinical challenge. Denosumab, a human monoclonal antibody, has been investigated as a therapeutic option in this patient population. In this review, we summarize the current evidence on the efficacy and safety of denosumab in CKD and HD patients. A comprehensive search of the relevant literature was conducted, including randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and meta-analyses. The findings suggest that denosumab reduces the risk of fractures and improves bone mineral density in all stages of CKD. The results of this review support the use of denosumab as a promising option for managing bone disease in CKD and HD patients.Keywords: denosumab, chronic kidney disease, hemodialysis, bone disease, fracture risk reductio

CONSUMPTION AND BACTERIAL RESISTANCE TO AMINOGLYCOSIDES AT SUDANESE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

Objectives: The objective of this study was to describe patterns of antimicrobial resistance to gentamicin (Gen) and amikacin (Ak) among Gram-negative aerobic bacteria during 1-year period and to determine the association between antibiotic resistance and the consumption of Gen.Methods: Aminoglycosides consumption at Soba University Hospital wards was measured and susceptibility of Gram-negative bacteria for the same period was evaluated. Consumption data were converted to defined daily doses (DDDs)/100 bed days based on DDD/anatomical therapeutic chemical the WHO system. The association between the frequency of strains resistant to Gen and Ak and their consumption was assessed by linear regression analysis using Spearman's correlation. The level of statistical significance was set at p&lt;0.05.Results: A total of 973 Gram-negative isolates were identified and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility to Gen and Ak. Resistance to Gen alone was found to be 19.42%; n=189, resistance to Ak alone was found to be 3.08%; n=30, and resistance to Gen plus Ak was found to be 5.24%; n=51. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most resistant pathogen to Ak plus Gen (2.26%; n=22). A positive correlation between the increases in the use of Gen and the prevalence of bacterial resistance among hospital wards was found (correlation coefficient r=0.6; p=0.04).Conclusion: Gen and Ak are still highly active antimicrobial agents for the treatment of aerobic Gram-negative bacteria at times of intensified resistance to other antimicrobial agents. Monitoring the use of aminoglycosides is very important too.Â

Diabetes Knowledge and Practice in Malaysian and the United Arab Emirates Diabetic Patients

ABSTRACT The aim of the study is to investigate and to compare the current levels of the knowledge, attitude and the practice of people with diabetes in Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates. A cross-sectional prospective study, 403 diabetic patients were participating in this study, 202 Malaysian and 201 from the UAE. The data showed significant differences at the levels of the Knowledge, and the Practices between Malaysian and the UAE respondents with (P&lt;0.001), while the good attitude was missing amongst the UAE respondents. This study had found that more than three quarter of Malaysian respondents (77.2%) were had a family history of diabetes compared to the UAE counterpart (64.7%). Interestingly, a high significant differences (P&lt;0.001) were found in the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice scores between Malaysian and the UAE counterpart. The mean scores presented as (Mean ±SD) were higher in Malaysian than in the UAE study group; were knowledge scored (25.6±3.3 vs. 20.3±2.9), attitude (4.3±1.2 vs. 2.9±0.1) and practice (4.3±1.3 vs. 4.1±1.0). The UAE diabetic patients included in the study appeared to have poor knowledge, attitude and practice regarding their disease. These findings can be used to promote discussion in the profession and with stakeholders about any future diabetes care or to plan intervention strategies to promote awareness and reduce incidence of diabetes in this country. However, further work is needed to gauge the levels of the knowledge, attitude and the practice of people with diabetes in both countries