Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy最新文献

{"title":"Self-reported treatment burden: A comparison between vitamin K and non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants","authors":"Miroslav Mihajlovic ,&nbsp;Nevena Zec ,&nbsp;Jelena Simic ,&nbsp;Aleksandar Mihajlovic ,&nbsp;Milan Marinkovic ,&nbsp;Nebojsa Mujovic ,&nbsp;Tatjana Potpara","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100628","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100628","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Treatment burden (TBN) refers to the impact of patients' healthcare-related workload on their functioning and well-being. A high TBN has been associated with lower adherence to treatment and increased risk of major adverse events, and patients considered a TBN score of ≥59 points as unacceptably high. In the present analysis, we explored differences in TBN, the prevalence of unacceptably high TBN score and discern the contributory factors associated with TBN among patients receiving vitamin K oral anticoagulants (VKA) or non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOAC).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>In a single-centre cross-sectional study from April to June 2019, consecutive patients receiving medical care at the Cardiology Clinic of University hospital were invited to fulfil the TBN Questionnaire encompassing 17 questions assessing TBN.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Of 514 study patients, 320 (62.3 %) were taking oral anticoagulant therapy (OAC) and were included in the present analysis. Of those, 206 patients (64.4 %) were prescribed a VKA. The mean TBN score was significantly higher in VKA versus NOAC patients (48.8 ± 26.5 vs. 41.8 ± 19.7, <em>P</em> = 0.014). Patients taking VKA reported a TBN of ≥59 points significantly more often than those taking NOAC (30.1 % vs 18.4 %, <em>P</em> = 0.024). The VKA patients reported significantly higher TBN score values for questions related to self-monitoring, including INR monitoring (3.85 ± 3.32 vs. 1.62 ± 1.38, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001) and diet restrictions (3.98 ± 3.43 vs. 2.48 ± 2.49, P &lt; 0.001) compared with NOAC patients.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>In the present study, VKA patients reported significantly higher TBN and more frequently unacceptably high TBN compared to NOAC, primarily due to numerous VKA-food interactions and the need for regular INR monitoring. Our findings suggest that the prescription of NOAC could reduce the TBN, which could translate to improved patient outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 100628"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144519184","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A qualitative exploration of community pharmacist views on providing a mental health and well-being intervention for long-term condition patients","authors":"Patrick Cabasag ,&nbsp;Kebede Beyene ,&nbsp;Frederick Sundram ,&nbsp;Amy Hai Yan Chan ,&nbsp;Holly Wilson ,&nbsp;Jeff Harrison","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100629","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100629","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Subthreshold depression and anxiety are common, affecting up to 24 % of people over their lifetime and are often associated with long-term conditions. Community pharmacists, who often have an established relationship with people who have long-term conditions, are well placed to identify and address subthreshold depression and anxiety and reduce the risk of progression to clinical mental health disorders.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Semi-structured individual qualitative interviews were conducted with community pharmacists to explore their perspectives on a pharmacy service for long-term condition patients with subthreshold depression and anxiety. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed in intelligent verbatim and analysed using a General Inductive Approach.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Eleven purposively selected community pharmacists from diverse backgrounds were interviewed. Four main themes were identified, each with several subthemes. These related to existing support mechanisms for delivering long-term condition and mental health services in community pharmacies, pharmacists' perceptions and attitudes toward service delivery, barriers and facilitators to service implementation, and the design and implementation of a service.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This is the first study to explore community pharmacists' perspectives on a pharmacy intervention for long-term condition patients with subthreshold depression and anxiety. Overall, community pharmacists expressed positive attitudes toward delivering an intervention for people with long-term conditions and subthreshold depression and anxiety. Future work would involve taking a co-design approach to developing and evaluating such an intervention.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 100629"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144523667","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Building primary care providers' confidence in deprescribing opioids and benzodiazepines in older adults","authors":"Stefanie P. Ferreri ,&nbsp;Lori T. Armistead ,&nbsp;Ben Urick ,&nbsp;Tamera D. Hughes ,&nbsp;Anne-Therese Hunt ,&nbsp;J. Marvin McBride ,&nbsp;Joshua Niznik ,&nbsp;Ellen Roberts ,&nbsp;Kimberly A. Sanders ,&nbsp;Jan Busby-Whitehead","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100627","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100627","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Opioids and benzodiazepines (BZDs) are among the most prescribed medications that contribute to falls in older adults; however, little guidance exists on their safe prescribing and deprescribing. Although some resources are available to assist providers with opioid and BZD deprescribing, many report lack of confidence as a barrier. The objective of this study was to assess PCPs' confidence in their ability to deprescribe opioids and BZDs before and after an intervention.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We modified a validated deprescribing self-efficacy survey to assess primary care provider (PCP) confidence in deprescribing opioids and BZDs in older adults before and after a consultant pharmacist educational intervention. The survey consisted of 35 questions divided into three sections: deprescribing opioids (10 questions), deprescribing BZDs (10 questions), and deprescribing under potentially impeding circumstances [UPIC] (15 questions). The survey was sent to 88 PCPs using a modified Dillman method. We evaluated providers' confidence on a 100-point scale pre- and post-intervention, comparing the difference-in- differences (DID) in scores between the intervention and control groups.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 41 PCPs (46.6 %) completed the survey both pre-and post-intervention. The intervention group (<em>n</em> = 21) showed an improvement in their knowledge and self-efficacy skills by an average of 19.7 out of 100 points, while the control group (<em>n</em> = 20) improved by an average of 5.2 points. The DID in self-efficacy improvement between the two groups was +14.5 points (<em>p</em> = 0.003) overall. For each of the opioid-, BZD-, and UPIC-specific scores, the intervention group had a statistically significant DID compared to the control group (+15.8, <em>p</em> = 0.004; +14.2, <em>p</em> = 0.017; +13.9, <em>p</em> = 0.016, respectively).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This consultant pharmacist educational intervention improved PCPs' confidence in deprescribing opioids and BZDs in older adults.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 100627"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144519185","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The role of U.S. pharmacists in deprescribing: Recommendations based on a systematic literature review of qualitative studies","authors":"Alina Cernasev ,&nbsp;Devin Scott ,&nbsp;Becka Eckert ,&nbsp;Hilary Jasmin ,&nbsp;David R. Axon","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100625","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100625","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>Deprescribing is increasingly investigated through a qualitative lens, yet no evidence synthesis of the extant qualitative deprescribing literature exists. This study aimed to identify and synthesize relevant qualitative data about the role of the pharmacist or pharmacy profession in deprescribing in the United States.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A systematic literature review was conducted in July 2024 in MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus (Elsevier), and Embase (Elsevier). The primary search concepts included terms around pill burden, cessation and de-prescription, as well as a search string to narrow results to qualitative reports. From 4410 unique records after deduplication, 46 abstracts were included for full text review.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>After full text review, 11 records were deemed suitable for inclusion in this review. Three used interviews, five used focus groups, and three used both. Three studies used the theory of planned behavior, two studies used the capability, opportunity, and motivation behavior model, one used the chronic care model, one used the interprofessional shared decision-making model, one used grounded theory, and three did not use a framework. Studies were conducted in New York (<em>n</em> = 3), Arizona, Maine, and Tennessee (<em>n</em> = 3), California (<em>n</em> = 1), Iowa (<em>n</em> = 1), Massachusetts (<em>n</em> = 1), North Carolina (<em>n</em> = 1), and Rhode Island (<em>n</em> = 1). Key themes identified across the studies included enablers, obstacles, process of deprescribing, and deprescribing in pharmacy education.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Deprescribing is a complex process that involves the entire healthcare team, including pharmacists who have unique expertise to support the team through education and information about medication and disease states.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 100625"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144513882","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Shortening emergency department length of stay: Fast track, short-stay unit and acute medical unit","authors":"Bei Huang","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100626","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100626","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Emergency department (ED) length of stay (EDLOS) refers to the waiting time experienced by patients at various stages of the ED. It serves as an indicator of ED overcrowding. Prolonged EDLOS can lead to delays in assessment and care, negatively impacting patient satisfaction, and is associated with a poor prognosis. ED overcrowding may result in higher rates of medical errors, adverse events, and mortality. The crude mortality rate for patients with EDLOS &lt;6 h was significantly lower than for those with EDLOS of 12–24 h and &gt; 24 h. Multiple factors influence EDLOS before admission, including limited medical resources and a high volume of non-emergency cases. Hospitals should develop personalized strategies to reduce EDLOS by analyzing patient volumes and resource demands. In this narrative review, measures involving alternatives to ward admission from the ED such as an emergency fast track (FT), an emergency short-stay ward (ESSW)/emergency short-stay unit (ESSU), and an acute medical unit (AMU)/acute medical admissions unit (AMAU), are summarized, aiming to serve as a reference for shortening EDLOS, improving emergency care efficiency, and optimizing service quality.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 100626"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144490641","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Using simulated patient methodology to assess sick day guidance in community pharmacy: The case of an elderly patient with diabetes","authors":"Tristan Coppes ,&nbsp;Hetty Prins ,&nbsp;Kees A. van Amerongen ,&nbsp;Teun van Gelder ,&nbsp;Ellen S. Koster ,&nbsp;Marcel L. Bouvy","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100623","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100623","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Certain high-risk medication, such as diuretics, should be temporarily adjusted during sick days (diarrhoea, vomiting or fever) to reduce the risk of adverse drug events. Guidelines refer to this as ‘sick day guidance’. Prior research has shown limited awareness among pharmacy staff of these recommendations.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study assessed how community pharmacies in the Netherlands address a simulated self-care inquiry related to diarrhoea from a 71-year-old patient with diabetes.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Three trained simulated informal caregivers visited community pharmacies unannounced to seek an antidiarrheal product for a 71-year-old family member with diabetes and high-risk medication. Data were collected through a data collection form with audio recording.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 64 pharmacies were visited. Current comorbidities and medications were identified in 59 % (38/64) of the pharmacies. Sixteen out of 64 pharmacies (25 %) provided sick day guidance either through temporary medication adjustment or GP referral. In more than 80 % of the pharmacies, a pharmaceutical product was dispensed, most often loperamide. The pharmacies that did not identify current comorbidities and medications (<em>n</em> = 26), did not provide sick day guidance nor referred to the GP.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Sick day guidance was applied in one in four cases. Identifying current comorbidities and medications is essential for providing sick day guidance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 100623"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144296823","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating health-related quality of life and health resource utilization among Gabapentinoid users with substance use disorder in the US: Trends, co-prescriptions, and cost analysis","authors":"Saba Dangpiaei,&nbsp;Mohammad A. Al-Mamun","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100618","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100618","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Gabapentinoid, including Gabapentin and Pregabalin, are commonly used for approved and off-label health conditions, but their misuse with opioid among individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) increases the risk of respiratory depression and death. Thus, we investigated the impact of SUD on different health outcomes among the Gabapentinoid users in the U.S.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We used Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data (2015 to 2021) to identify Gabapentinoid users and categorized them into SUD and Non-SUD groups. The primary aim was to investigate the association between SUD and health related quality of life measured through physical component score (PCS) and mental component score (MCS) while secondary aim was to compare healthcare utilization between these groups. The prescription trends and related costs were also examined.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Total 164 Gabapentinoid users had SUD who had lower MCS compared to the Non-SUD group (β = −3.83 [−6.24, −1.41], <em>p</em> = 0.002). Additionally, SUD was associated with a higher number of outpatient visits (β = 0.35 [0.02, 0.68], <em>p</em> = 0.04). The SUD group incurred higher total expenditure ($10,671.4, SE = 970.6) compared to the Non-SUD group ($9166.7, SE = 714.7). Gabapentinoid use increased from 2015 to 2021, with Pregabalin prescriptions rising from 0.98 % to 2.24 % and Gabapentin from 4.37 % to 10.16 %. Among users with SUD, common co-prescriptions included Tramadol (46.59 %), Oxycodone (35.62 %), and Lorazepam (34.78 %).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Our results suggest the critical need to monitor and assess the Gabapentinoid prescription among individuals with SUD, further warrant to develop and implement new policies and guidelines at both federal and state levels in the U.S.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 100618"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144291478","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A qualitative study of community pharmacists in New Zealand: mental health literacy and the barriers and facilitators to providing and receiving mental healthcare in community pharmacies","authors":"Frederick Sundram ,&nbsp;Amy Hai Yan Chan ,&nbsp;Joanne C. Lin ,&nbsp;Retina Rimal ,&nbsp;Timothy F. Chen ,&nbsp;Jane L. Sheridan","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100621","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100621","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Community pharmacists (CPs) play a valuable role in the provision of mental healthcare in primary care settings; however, CPs may not be comfortable or confident doing so. Mental health literacy (MHL) of CPs and consumers, alongside factors in community pharmacies may contribute to this.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The aims of this study were to explore how MHL may affect the provision and receipt of mental healthcare in community pharmacies, and the perceived barriers and facilitators for CPs in providing mental healthcare.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Participants were recruited from a sample of respondents to a prior national survey of MHL in CPs. Thirteen CPs with a mean age of 40 years, comprising participants from both independent and chain pharmacies were recruited. Individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted, followed by professional transcription and thematic analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Analysis revealed five main themes describing factors related to MHL and also the provision of mental healthcare services in community pharmacies: 1) Complexities in the understanding of and recognition and management of mental illness; 2) Attitudes and experiences of CPs in supporting mental health needs; 3) Prevention and management of mental illness needing a collaborative approach; 4) Opportunities and challenges within community pharmacies to support mental healthcare needs; and 5) Preparedness and willingness of CPs to provide mental healthcare.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>CPs identified several MHL-related factors that could affect mental healthcare delivery by CPs and consumers receiving care. CPs also described several ways to enhance preparedness to deliver mental healthcare in community pharmacies including working collaboratively with other healthcare providers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 100621"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144280370","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A mixed-methods study investigating the potential and challenges of generic substitution of controlled substances in community pharmacies","authors":"I.M. Keller ,&nbsp;J.M. Alexa ,&nbsp;M.W. Meier ,&nbsp;S.S. Allemann","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100622","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100622","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Using generics became an established practice. Studies about dispensing practices of generic controlled substances are scarce.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>We investigated dispensing practices of generic controlled substances compared to non-controlled substances, challenges community pharmacists face when substituting them, and how they can be better supported.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A mixed-methods approach was employed. We descriptively analyzed prescribing and dispensing rates of originals and generics of controlled and non-controlled substances. Ten community pharmacists were interviewed to investigate challenges and support options.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Seven hundred eight prescriptions were included in the data analysis. Physicians prescribed 54 % (167/307) of originals for controlled substances and 50 % (202/401) of originals for non-controlled substances (<em>p</em> &gt; 0.05). A total of 37 % (62/167) of prescriptions for original controlled substances were substituted with generics in community pharmacies in contrast to 74 % (149/202) of prescriptions for original non-controlled substances (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.001). Challenges mentioned by the interviewees included gaining trust in the context of generic controlled substance use, meeting patients' needs, and legal regulations. They named support measures, such as patient education by physicians, and reduction of the administrative workload.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The analysis revealed a significantly lower substitution rate for controlled substances compared to non-controlled substances in pharmacies. Yet, physicians showed similar prescribing rates of originals and generics. The findings support the need to strengthen the collaboration between healthcare providers, and to improve education as well as awareness to ensure adequate patient care when substituting generic controlled substances.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 100622"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144280371","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Clinical utility of the Arabic medication-related burden quality of life (MRB-QoL) tool in hospital-based medicines optimisation services: A mixed methods feasibility study","authors":"Sundos Q. Al-Ebrahim ,&nbsp;Ahmad El Ouweini ,&nbsp;Fatima Boura ,&nbsp;Heba M. Abu Tayyem ,&nbsp;Rami Diab ,&nbsp;Omar Adas ,&nbsp;Nemah Awwad ,&nbsp;Maisam Tobeh ,&nbsp;Fatima A.L. Salame ,&nbsp;Sara A.L. Jabi ,&nbsp;Ghattas Abu Dawoud ,&nbsp;Hamzah Alzubaidi ,&nbsp;Jeff Harrison ,&nbsp;Timothy F. Chen ,&nbsp;Mohammed A. Mohammed","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100620","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2025.100620","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The Medication-Related Burden Quality of Life (MRB-QoL) Arabic version is a 31-item valid and reliable measure of medication burden on functioning and well-being in people with long-term conditions.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>To evaluate the feasibility of using the Arabic MRB-QoL tool in clinical pharmacist-led medicines optimisation services in United Arab Emirates (UAE) hospitals.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>This non-randomised, non-controlled, feasibility study was conducted in 4 UAE hospitals, utilising a mixed-methods approach. The clinical utility of the MRB-QoL Arabic was evaluated, covering various aspects of feasibility, including acceptability, usability, benefits, facilitators, and barriers to its implementation in practice. The study comprised 3 stages: providing training for clinical pharmacists (CPs) and nurses, implementing the Arabic MRB-QoL tool, and the System Usability Scale (SUS) survey and semi-structured interviews with CPs. The usability and perceived benefits were evaluated using qualitative interviews and a Qualtrics survey. The perceived acceptability, barriers, and facilitators were explored through analysis of the interviews.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Ten CPs implemented the Arabic MRB-QoL tool during routine medication reviews for 227 admitted patients. Thematic analysis of the interview transcripts identified key themes that highlighted the acceptability, usability, benefits, as well as facilitators, and barriers the CPs faced in implementing the tool in their routine clinical practice. In addition, the SUS survey showed an average score of 82.2, indicating excellent usability of the tool in facilitating medicines optimisation services.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study confirmed the clinical utility of the MRB-QoL Arabic in pharmacist-led medicines optimisation services in UAE hospitals, highlighting preliminary evidence of its acceptability, usability, and benefits, as well as facilitators and barriers to implementation. By promoting patient-centred medicines optimisation, the Arabic MRB-QoL tool has the potential to help healthcare providers gain insights into patients' experiences with medicines and the key dimensions of medication burden patients encounter, optimise medicines regimens, and improve patients' quality of life.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 100620"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144261768","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}