Economic Impact of clinical pharmacist interventions in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Qatar

Objectives The economic benefit of the clinical pharmacist’s role in ensuring the optimum use of medicines is potentially considerable, particularly when it comes to critical care management. This study sought to evaluate the overall economic impact of clinical pharmacist interventions in the main Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Qatar. Design Retrospective analysis of the total economic benefit. Method From the public healthcare hospital perspective, this was a retrospective analysis of the total economic benefit of the clinical pharmacy interventions. Patient records in March 2018, July/August 2018, and January 2019 were retrospectively reviewed at the NICU of Women’s Wellness and Research Center in Hamad Medical Corporation. The total benefit from interventions was the total of cost avoidance due to preventable adverse drug events (ADEs) plus any cost savings associated with therapeutic-based resource use. Cost savings was defined as the reduced cost of therapy because of the intervention by subtracting the cost of after-clinical pharmacy intervention therapy from the cost of before-clinical pharmacist intervention therapy. Cost avoidance was defined as eliminating a potential increase in the costs related to ADEs, by multiplying the estimated probability of an ADE in the absence of intervention by the cost of an ADE. Results During the study period, a total of 513 interventions for 150 neonates in the NICU were analyzed. The total population benefit was QAR 1,062,417 (US$291,793), constituting cost avoidance of QAR 1,050,679 (US$ 288,569) and cost savings of QAR 11,738 (US$ 3,216). Our analysis showed that the most common MRPs intercepted by the clinical pharmacists were related to dosing (63%), followed by appropriateness of therapy (29%). The uncertainty analysis demonstrated the robustness of outcomes. Conclusions The clinical pharmacist intervention increased the resource use and its cost. In overall, however, taking avoided cost of ADEs in consideration, it is an economically beneficial practice in the NICU, associated with ADEs prevention and substantial economic benefits.</p

Examining Pharmacy Alumni’s Perceptions of Job Satisfaction, Achievements, and Preparedness: A Mixed-Methods Study

ObjectivesThere is a scarcity of research that holistically explores pharmacy alumni’s employment experience and their professional performance. Job satisfaction is linked to professionals' productivity and their educational preparedness. This study aimed to explore the professional experiences of the College of Pharmacy-Qatar University alumni. MethodsA convergent mixed-methods design was utilized to examine the alumni's perceptions of job satisfaction, achievements in the workplace, and preparedness for practice through both quantitative and qualitative approaches. This study involved the administration of a pre-tested online questionnaire among all alumni (n = 214) and the conduction of 7 focus groups of which the participants were selected from a heterogeneous purposive sample (n = 87). Herzberg’s motivation-hygiene theory was applied in both approaches. ResultsOne hundred thirty-six alumni completed the questionnaire (response rate = 63.6%), and 40 alumni attended the focus groups. A good level of job satisfaction was shown (median score = 30 [IQR = 12], [out of 48]). Sources of job satisfaction and dissatisfaction were recognition and limited opportunities for professional growth, respectively. Also, good satisfaction was revealed (median score = 20 [IQR = 21], [out of 56]) with the alumni’s ability to attain several achievements (eg, developing pharmacy-related services), which allowed for career success. Moreover, fair agreement concerning the adequacy of the preparedness for practice was indicated (eg, being care providers) (mean = 37 [SD = 7.5], [out of 52]). However, certain aspects, such as the enhancement of non-clinical knowledge, warranted further improvement. ConclusionOverall, pharmacy alumni had positive perceptions of their professional experiences. However, alumni’s excellence in different pharmacy career prospects needs to be supported throughout their learning experience.This work was supported by Qatar University Student Grant [grant number: QUST-1-CPH-2021-7]