Call for papers: special issue on innovative methods for pharmacy practice research

Pharmacy practice research sits at the intersection of a diverse range of disciplines. The Granada Statement describes work in social and clinical pharmacy practice as understanding the medicine use process [1]. Garcia-Cardenas et al. further describe a definition of pharmacy practice, as to how pharmaceutical care can improve patient and organizational outcomes, and better understanding the role of pharmacists in achieving this [2]</p

Symbiotic relationships through longitudinal integrated clerkships in general practice

Background: Longitudinal integrated clerkships (LICs) are an innovation in medical education that are often success fully implemented in general practice contexts. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences and perspectives of general practitioner (GP)-tutors on the impact of LICs on their practices, patients and the wider community. Methods: GPs affiliated with the University of Limerick School of Medicine- LIC were invited to participate in in depth interviews. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in person and over the phone and were based on a topic guide. The guide and approach to analysis were informed by symbiosis in medical education as a conceptual lens. Data were recorded, transcribed and analysed using an inductive thematic approach. Results: Twenty-two GPs participated. Two main themes were identified from interviews: ‘roles and relationships’ and ‘patient-centred physicians’. Five subthemes were identified which were: ‘GP-role model’, ‘community of learning’, and ‘mentorship’, ‘student doctors’ and ‘serving the community’. Conclusion: LICs have the potential to develop more patient-centred future doctors, who have a greater understanding of how medicine is practised in the community. The LIC model appears to have a positive impact on all stakeholders but their success hinges on having adequate support for GPs and resourcing for the practices

Interventions to Improve Medication Adherence in People with Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review

Nonadherence to medications is very common in people with schizophrenia. Numerous methods have been implemented to  improve medication adherence. The study aimed to determine what interventions have been used and to assess the effectiveness of  these in improving medication adherence in people with schizophrenia. Two electronic databases (PubMed and Science Direct) and  a manual search were used to locate RCT studies that examined interventions in medication adherence for schizophrenia, published  between 2011 and 2022. The search was conducted using the terms (schizophrenia OR schizophrenic) AND (interventions OR  adherence therapy) AND (medication adherence OR medication compliance). Sixteen studies were included, and relevant data were  extracted and selected. Sixteen studies used interventions that involve family, health professionals (psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses,  and pharmacists), SMS, and smart electronic reminders. Medication adherence was measured using medication refill records from  hospital dispensing records or claim databases, electronic devices, plasma blood concentration, and participant self-reporting. Thirteen  out of 15 studies showed significant improvements in adherence compared to routine care. The other three studies did not result in  improved medication adherence. Interventions with diverse strategies delivered to individuals with schizophrenia showed the potential  to reduce medication non-adherence in people with schizophrenia so that they can be utilized as an alternative to support treatment in  people with schizophrenia in addition to antipsychotic medication. In future research strategies, it will be necessary to identify the  main problems regarding nonadherence in people with schizophrenia individually and also identify the patient’s perception of  medication, illness, and behavior when taking medication in order to determine the next intervention that will be appropriate based  on the patient’s needs to improve adherence.   </p

Do entry year pharmacy students have similar personal characteristics? Comparing personalities, professional goals, and role perceptions

Background: Schools and faculties of pharmacy are responsible for selecting students to admit into the profession. Despite many similarities, admission processes, pharmacists’ training, and scope of practice are different across jurisdictions. Students that are selected for admission may then differ in a number of ways, including by personality traits and other individual difference measures. Objective: To compare the trait characteristics between students entering a New Zealand (NZ-University of Otago) and Canadian ((University of Waterloo) pharmacy programme and to compare their professional goals and role perceptions. Methods: Incoming first year students at each university were invited to take an online questionnaire that included personality characteristics and potential predictors of involvement in pharmacists’ roles: (1) the Big Five Inventory (openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism); (2) the Achievement Goals Questionnaire-Revised; (3) the Rational Experiential Inventory; and (4) Counsellor Role Orientation. Statistical tests were conducted to determine if there were differences between entry level pharmacy students from NZ and Canada.Results: 184 students (97/150 Otago, 87/118 Waterloo) completed the survey. On average, Waterloo students scored higher on agreeableness (M = 80 vs. 76, p = 0.06), conscientiousness (M = 70 vs. 68, p = 0.30), mastery-approach (M = 93 vs.90, p = 0.06), and faith-in-intuition (M = 67 vs. 61, p = 0.03) compared to Otago pharmacy students who were higher for openness M = 70 vs. 66, p = 0.09). An item measuring reliance on physicians for medicine advice was endorsed more by Otago pharmacy students (M = 35 vs. M = 15, p Discussion: While entry-level pharmacy students had similar personality profiles, differences were observed in role expectations and in experiential learning orientation. This highlights differing societal views on the role of pharmacists in each respective country. Pharmacy schools should study their student bodies when designing their curricula and electives, helping ensure graduates feel like they have the training to do what they need to do. Future work will determine if these personality and learning goals influence students’ preparation for practice. </p

Motivational interviewing effect on medication adherence and other outcomes in people with schizophrenia (PwS): A review

Adherence will have an impact on therapy because schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder that requires long-term treatment. One strategy to improve adherence to medications is motivational interviewing (MI), although more study is needed to see how well it works and whether it has any other effects on schizophrenia. The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of motivational interviews in improving adherence to medications and other positive impacts on PwS. A literature review using PubMed, Science Direct, Springerlink, and google scholar databases from 2010-2023 focused on keywords adherence, schizophrenia, and motivational interviewing. The results showed that MI has inconsistencies in their effect on improving medication adherence in PwS, but some studies found evidence of an association between MI and other outcomes, such as improvement in psychotic symptoms and decreased hospitalisation rates. Differences in patient characteristics and MI interventions in each study, the to perform MI techniques, and the trusting relationship built by the counsellor with the patient will affect the impact of MI on adherence. MI showed inconsistencies in improving medication adherence in people with schizophrenia. Several factors will affect the effectiveness of MI. However, MI also has the potential to improve psychosis symptoms and reduce hospitalisation rates, although more research is needed.</p

Establishing open science research priorities in health psychology: a research prioritisation Delphi exercise

Objective:  Research on Open Science practices in Health  Psychology is lacking. This meta-research study aimed to identify  research question priorities and obtain consensus on the Top 5  prioritised research questions for Open Science in Health  Psychology. Methods and measures: An international Delphi consensus study  was conducted. Twenty-three experts in Open Science and Health  Psychology within the European Health Psychology Society (EHPS)  suggested research question priorities to create a ‘long-list’ of  items (Phase 1). Forty-three EHPS members rated the importance  of these items, ranked their top five and suggested their own  additional items (Phase 2). Twenty-four EHPS members received  feedback on Phase 2 responses and then re-rated and re-ranked  their top five research questions (Phase 3). Results:  The top five ranked research question priorities were: 1.  ‘To what extent are Open Science behaviours currently practised  in Health Psychology?’, 2. ‘How can we maximise the usefulness  of Open Data and Open Code resources?’, 3. ‘How can Open Data  be increased within Health Psychology?’, 4. ‘What interventions  are effective for increasing the adoption of Open Science in Health  Psychology?’ and 5. ‘How can we increase free Open Access publishing in Health Psychology?’. Conclusion:  Funding and resources should prioritise the research  questions identified here. </p

Product repair in a circular economy: exploring public repair behavior from a systems perspective

Repair practices are driven not only by consumers’ internal motivation, but also by external infrastructural, social including cultural, financial, and political factors. We explore these factors with the goal of understanding the public repair of electrical and electronic products (e-products) from a systems perspective to help devise appropriate change interventions. We document (a) behavioral aspects, (b) techno-economic factors, and (c) intervention strategies aimed at promoting repair practices. To gauge this, a survey was administered among 922 volunteers across 14 countries with experience in repairing e-products at public repair events. Findings suggest that while behavioral constructs including personal values, beliefs, and attitudes toward product repair are the main proximal drivers of intention to repair, the ability to repair plays an important role. Further, these individual factors are influenced by the techno-economic settings such as access to repair services, economic benefits, and the ease of product repair stands out as the key enablers for product lifetime extension. As per intervention strategies, the results highlight economic incentives, regulatory requirements, and public awareness as the key drivers. However, influencing repair behavior directly may not always be the most effective strategy. New initiatives to improve involvement should focus on more repairable products, exploiting the innovative potentials of commercial as well as non-profit repair initiatives, education, and supporting the development of skills among volunteer repairers.</p