STARZ-DRP: Improving Efficiency of Patient Care in Community Pharmacies

Customers are always becoming the center of interest among the physicians, dentists, and pharmacists in the healthcare system. However, they are always having favorable feeling with the community pharmacists (CPs) as the first spot to seek advice. For that reason, it is essential to determine the character, behavior, and habit of customers toward the CPs and their extended pharmacy services. In addition, it is critical to determine the possible factors, which might have an effect on their characters, behaviors, and habits. The outcome of the analysis might help the CPs to understand the scenario in a particular way. Afterward, a structured and systematic approach known as “STARZ-DRP” is instigated as a basic skill to ensure whether each pharmacist has the self-confidence and self-competence to interact with the customers. The entire course of action shall empower the strength of personality among the CPs in the healthcare system

STARZ-DRP: A STRUCTURED FRAMEWORK FOR TEACHING COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS TO COUNSEL SELF-CARE CUSTOMERS

Objective: Aim of this study is to take a look at the community pharmacists' (CPs) self-rating confidence of advocating self-care customers using before and after attending a STARZ-DRP training workshop.Methods: CPs (n=231) in the state of Penang had been invited via e-mail to engage in a STARZ-DRP training workshop. CPs had been trained to assess individual features and analyse the facts and figures before formulating a triage action plan. A self-administered questionnaire to evaluate CPs' self-confidence to performing self-care counselling had been handed out before and after the workshop.Results: Twenty CPs (8.7%) had responded to the invitation via e-mail. It was noted that CPs' self-rating confidence to performing self-care counselling making use of STARZ-DRP as a framework were improved in all domains reflected in the questionnaire. Among significant improvements (p<0.05) noted were making triage decision, consistently assessing individual features, and identifying actual or potential origins of the medical problem.Conclusion: CPs' self-confidence to performing self-care counselling making use of STARZ-DRP as a framework to advocate self-care customers is enhanced after turning up at the training workshop. It reflects the future use of STARZ-DRP as a potential framework to help out CPs to formulate a triage action plan for self-care customers

ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL EXTENDED SERVICES PERFORMED BY MALAYSIAN COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS, PERCEPTIONS AND BARRIERS TOWARDS IT'S PERFORMANCE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Objective: Aims of this review were to identify actual or potential extended services performed in community pharmacy settings, perceptions among community pharmacists (CPs), general practitioners (GPs), consumers and policymakers of these extended services and barriers towards its performance.Methods: A literature review was conducted, using Google Scholar and PubMed as a searching engine.Results: Identifying eight quality full texts to review which fulfil the inclusion searching criteria, revealing a wide range of actual or potential extended services performed by CPs such as counselling on asthma, cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, diabetes, smoking cessation and self-medication. GPs' perceptions towards these extended services were varied, not or in favour of CPs to perform some actual or potential extended services. Customers were in favour of CPs to perform these actual or potential extended services whereas CPs indicated a few barriers towards the performance of these actual or potential extended services.Conclusion: As a conclusion, CPs in Malaysia were in the right position to perform the actual or potential extended services, collaborating with GPs to promote better medication use and enhance patients' quality of life. Some barriers towards these extended services must be intervened in order to enhance the quality of the services

STARZ-DRP AS A TRIAGING TOOL FOR COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS: PERSPECTIVES AND EXPECTATIONS OF STAKEHOLDERS

Objective:  To investigate perspectives and expectations of stakeholders of community pharmacists' (CPs) roles and the use of STARZ-DRP as a structured and systematic framework to help CPs to extend their role to make an accurate triage decision in community pharmacy settings.Methods: Individuals who were in high positions in the Ministry of Health (MOH), pharmacy, medical and consumer associations and individuals who were a private medical practitioner and retail pharmacist were invited via mail to participate in the face to face interview. The interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim to identify themes as many as possible.Results: Eight stakeholders had responded to the invitation. Mean (± standard deviation) age (years) of stakeholders was 56.50 ± 11.82. Five themes were noted which were: (i) CPs are focusing more on business-oriented, (ii) CPs should perform patient-oriented services, (iii) responsibilities to triage customers, (iv) a systematic approach for triaging activities, (v) STARZ-DRP as a systematic approach to making triage decision.Conclusion: CPs are paying particular attention on business-oriented than patient-oriented services. All stakeholders point out that CPs should intensify their current practice and all of them have the same opinion that CPs should take the responsibilities to make an accurate triage decision for self-care customers. Almost all stakeholders agree that STARZ-DRP is an ideal framework to help CPs to make an accurate triage decision in community pharmacy settings.Â

Transitioning from National Examinations to Computer-Based National Assessments: Teachers'-Students' Perceptions and the Impact on Islamic Education

This study delves into the shift from the traditional National Examination (NE) to the computer-Based National Assessment (CBNA) in Indonesia, focusing on the intricate implications for Islamic education. This study aims to explore the perceptions of teachers and students regarding the elimination of NE and the implementation of ANBK as a national standard. The research method used was qualitative, with interviews with principals, teachers, and students as the primary informants. While recognizing the benefits, the study highlights significant challenges, particularly alignment with Islamic values, infrastructure limitations, and concerns in remote regions. The findings, drawn from the experience of Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Ogan Ilir, serve as a microcosm of broader challenges, offering valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and stakeholders. The implications are extensive and multifaceted and require a balanced approach that preserves the unique identity of Islamic education. The study acknowledges limitations, including potential bias in participant sampling and regional focus, and recommends further research to provide a more comprehensive view. Collaboration and dialogue are vital for a successful transition that aligns with Islamic education's traditions and principles

Community Pharmacy Marketing in the New Era: A Global Picture of Extended Community Pharmacy Services

The community pharmacists (CPs) are legally responsible to hand out a wide range of ready-made prescription medications to patients. Additionally, CPs are also involving in advocating customers who determine to self-medicate. Interestingly, it is also noted that CPs in developed countries like the United Kingdom, Germany, and Canada have performed more than these services. What are the extended community pharmacy services available? What are the barriers and perceptions of these extended services? It is rationale to explore such issues globally since it might have potential to give some possible course of action to CPs to incorporate more values to the contemporary services

Evaluation of two cell culture media in culturing rat full term amniotic fluid cells

Introduction: Amniotic fluid (AF) consists of heterogenous population of cells with high diagnostic and therapeutic values. The study of rat amniotic fluid cells is very limited, despite the extensive use of this animal model in biomedical research. Primary culture of rat AF cells, especially from full term pregnancies has not been well established. Here we attempt to determine the suitable medium in culturing rat AF cells that would enhance the cell viability, growth rate and heterogeneity. Methods: The cell viability, growth rate and heterogeneity of rat AF cells were compared upon culturing the primary cells in two different media; Amniomax or RPMI. Cell viability study was carried out using trypan blue staining, while the growth rate was monitored based on the time required to passage the cells (population doubling time in hour). The heterogeneity of cells was examined based on the morphology of the cells. Statistical analysis was performed using t-test. Results: Amniomax was observed to provide a better culture condition in culturing rat AF cells as the cells are more viable, grow faster and more heterogenous as compared to the cells grown in RPMI. Conclusion: Amniomax is a more suitable medium for high quality and viability of full term rat AF cell culture, as compared to RPMI. Thus, warranting propagation of more rat AF cells for biomedical research

Penentuan kesepadanan bidang pengajian-pekerjaan dalam kalangan graduan di kolej komuniti

Mismatch issues between training in skills training institutions and skills required by employers often raised. However, we found the lack of a study conducted to examine the compatibility of training between training institutions and industry. Thus, this study was undertaken to determine the level of matching between the fields of study with work and identify the underlying factors that affect compatibility between fields of study with the underlying employment among graduates. Our research involves Community College trainees in the field of electrical which graduation in 2013. This study is a quantitative study using a questionnaire as an instrument. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages and inferential statistical analysis such as Cramer -V Correlation test was used to analyze the data. The results show that almost 43.4 % of graduates work in fields that do not match the field of study at community colleges. In addition, the study also showed that there was no significant effect of educational characteristics (such as academic performance) and job characteristics (such as length of employment, type of employment sectors and employment status) on the correspondence between fields of study with jobs they undertake. Indeed, the quality of graduate students can not be measured only by the ability to place graduates in jobs in the sector , but what is more important is their ability to get a job in matching the field of study and skills acquired

Ankle fractures: the operative outcome

Ankle fractures are commonly seen in orthopaedic practice. This retrospective study of patients with ankle fractures who underwent surgical treatment in our institution from January 2000 to December 2003 was undertaken to analyze the common causes and patterns of ankle fractures; and the functional outcome of operative treatment for these fractures. Eighty patients were identified and reviewed. There were 65 male (81.3%) and 15 female patients (18.7%) with age ranging from 13 to 71 years old (mean, 32.3y). Common causes of ankle fractures were trauma (especially motor vehicle accidents), sports injuries and the osteoporotic bones in the elderly. Weber C (64.0%) was the most common pattern of fracture at presentation. The most common operative treatment for ankle fractures was open reduction and internal fixation (73 patients, 91.2%). Excellent and good outcomes were achieved in 93.8% of cases when measured using the Olerud and Molander scoring system for foot and ankle. In conclusion, operative treatment for ankle fractures restores sufficient stability and allowed mobility of the ankle joint

CO2 selective carbon tubular membrane: the effect of stabilization temperature on BTDA-TDI/MDI P84 co-polyimide

Membranes offer remarkable attributes such as possessing small equipment footprints, having high efficiency and are environmentally friendly, with carbon membranes progressively investigated for gas separation applications. In this study, carbon tubular membranes for CO2 separation are prepared via dip-coating method with P84 co-polyimide as carbon precursor. The prepared membranes were characterized using Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), pore structure analysis Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and pure gas permeation system. The permeation properties of the carbon membranes are measured and analyzed using CO2, CH4 and N2 gases. The P84-based carbon tubular membrane stabilized at 300°C and featured excellent permeation properties with permeance range of 2.97±2.18, 3.12±4.32 and 206.09±3.24 GPU for CH4, N2 and CO2 gases, respectively. This membrane exhibited the highest CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2 selectivity of 69.48±1.83 and 65.97±2.87, respectively