Validation of patients’ satisfaction regarding medications’ information questionnaire (Psmiq) in Karachi, Pakistan

SUMMARY. The aim of present study was to develop a validated patient satisfaction regarding medications’ information questionnaire (PSMIQ). It was an extra cultural adaptation of previous questionnaires used in other part of the world. The PSMIQ was premeditated by an expert group of 15 physicians and 15 pharmacists from a formerly validated questionnaire. A preliminary draft of PSMIQ comprised of seventeen items, with responses recorded on a five Likert scale. The internal validation of PSMIQ was approved by conducting a cross-sectional and analytical study. Around one thousand and fifty patients participated in present study. The validity of PSMIQ items was determined through factor analysis, and the reliability was evaluated with Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (α). Cronbach alpha value for transformed 13-item questionnaire was found to be 0.738. These items were assigned four sub scales. When compared it was observed that these subscales were significantly correlated with one another (p < 0.01). Patient satisfaction level for items regarding general information and usage instructions was above 70% however their satisfaction regarding potential problems and cost issues was less than 40%. Their satisfaction was positively associated with females for subscale 1 and 4 (p < 0.01). Responders who were stable had better total satisfaction scores compared with unstable ones in response to subscale 1, 2 and 3. In response to item regarding potential problematic issue, hypertension patients were 1.687 times more satisfied than patients suffering from other diseases (OR = 1.687; 95% CI = 1.247-2.283). Patient satisfaction survey used in the present study was found to be reliable and valid. Respondents were more satisfied regarding medications’ general information and usage instructions, however not satisfied with information regarding potential problems and cost issues

Comparison of hepatoprotective effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Berberis lycium Royale (Sumbloo) in isoniazid induced hepatotoxicity in male mice model

Background: The objective of the study was to compare the hepatoprotective effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of stem bark of Berberis lycium Royle in isoniazid (INH) induced hepatotoxicity in mice model.Methods: This randomized controlled in-vivo study conducted in male mice model from 10th April 2014 till 10th May 2014 at National Institute of Health, Islamabad. Group (C) was given normal diet and water. Group (D) was given isoniazid (50 mg/kg BW) to produce hepatotoxicity. Group (LA) and (HA) were given isoniazid (INH) plus low and high dose of aqueous extract of stem bark of Berberis lycium Royle respectively. Group (L.E) and (H.E) were given INH plus low and high dose of ethanolic extract of stem bark of Berberis lycium Royle respectively.Results: Hepatotoxicity produced by INH was shown by raised serum liver function tests (LFT’s), marked hepatocytic ballooning, significant steatosis and inflammation. Mice receiving simultaneous treatment of INH, low and high dose of aqueous extract of Berberis lycium Royle showed decrease serum LFT’s and their liver sections showed improved histological picture but more significant reduction in hepatotoxic effects were observed in animals receiving low and high doses of ethanolic extract.Conclusions: Hepatotoxicity of INH can be more fully reversed by simultaneous use of INH with ethanolic extract as it has better hepatoprotective potential in dose dependent manner as compare to aqueous extract of stem bark of Berberis lycium Royle

Color Coded Health Data: Factors related to willingness to share health information in South Asian community members in Canada

Introduction Data unavailability poses multiple challenges in many health fields, especially within ethnic subgroups in Canada, who may be hesitant to share their health data with researchers. Since health information availability is controlled by the participant, it is important to understand the willingness to share health information by an ethnic population to increase data availability within ethnocultural communities. Methods We employed a qualitative descriptive approach to better understand willingness to share health information by South Asian participants and operated through a lens that considered the cultural and sociodemographic aspect of ethnocultural communities. A total of 22 in-depth interviews were conducted between March and July 2020. Results The results of this study show that health researchers should aim to develop a mutually beneficial information-sharing partnership with communities, with an emphasis on the ethnocultural and socio-ecological aspects of health within populations. Conclusion The findings support the need for culturally sensitive and respectful engagement with the community, ethically sound research practices that make participants feel comfortable in sharing their information, and an easy sharing process to share health information feasibly

Color Coded Health Data: Factors related to willingness to share health information in South Asians

Background: Canada is becoming an increasing multicultural society welcoming individuals of various ethnicities. Ethnicity has become an established modifier of health in Canada, where ethnocultural communities face health disparities for multiple health outcomes. To understand these health disparities further, a call for high quality health data for ethnocultural communities has been made. Since health information availability is controlled by the participant, it is important to understand the willingness to share health information by an ethnic population to increase data availability within ethnocultural communities. Objectives: The objectives of this study aimed to explore and synthesize factors associated with willingness to share health information via a rapid review of literature and qualitative interviews with (South Asian) SA participants, the largest ethnic group in Canada. Findings: Triangulating results from both the rapid review of literature and the qualitative interviews, revealed that factors associated with sharing health information operated at 3 different levels: 1) community level, 2) individual level, and 3) process level. These factors also operated through a lens that considered the cultural and sociodemographic aspect of ethnocultural communities. Conclusions: The results of this study reveal important factors associated with sharing health information for ethnocultural communities, and support the need for culturally sensitive and respectful engagement with the community, ethically sound research practices that make participants feel comfortable to share their information, and an easy and incentivised process to share their information feasibly. Future study should aim to understand and measure data-sharing partnerships between researchers and ethnocultural communities to maximize data availability for ethnic populations

Experiential Learning through Community-based Experiences: A Graduate Student Perspective

Experiential learning (EL) has become essential for graduate students to meet the demanding nature of professional environments, equipping them with skills in leadership, problem solving, and civic consciousness. Community based learning (CBL), as an identified EL strategy, involves a collaborative learning model emphasizing group membership and community engagement. CBL not only enhances graduate skills, but also places graduate student research within a larger social context, and encourages deeper understanding of their discipline. This paper discusses a 90-minute workshop that focused on a graduate student experience with CBL and proposes a framework for integrating CBL into graduate studies. The framework proposes the use of positionality and mindful inquiry methods to identify learner-specific EL activities. Workshop participants reflected on their positionalities, and discussed how positionality can be used to guide mindful inquiry in seeking CBL activities. Further, we report on participant identified contextual and administrative barriers to integration of CBL into graduate curricula. As EL becomes an important mandate for postsecondary institutions to incorporate into student learning, this paper provides a valuable graduate student perspective that can add insight into the practicality of applying CBL in graduate education