Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy最新文献

{"title":"Factors associated with attendance at a pharmacist-led group diabetes self-management education class and impact on health outcomes","authors":"Olivia Ramey,&nbsp;Christopher Gildea","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2024.100526","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2024.100526","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Group education has demonstrated benefits among people with diabetes, including reduced A1C and improved self-monitoring practices. Despite this, attendance rates are low for a variety of reasons, including lack of understanding of potential benefits among patients.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>The pharmacist-led diabetes self-management education program at a community hospital has low attendance. This project assesses characteristics associated with attendance and compares outcomes among attendees and non-attendees.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Retrospective data was collected between July 2022 and December 2023. Variables included: age, sex, class attendance, pre- and ≥ 90-day post-class A1C, pre- and post-class BMI, attending pharmacist-led clinic prior to scheduled class, social determinants of health screening survey responses, and diagnosis of depression or anxiety.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>103 patients were identified. 53 % attended at least one class out of a series of four. Attendance at the pharmacist-led diabetes clinic (70 % among attendees versus 30 % among non-attendees, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001) was associated with attendance. Age, gender, concurrent mental health diagnoses (depression and anxiety), and SDOH related needs were not associated with attendance. Baseline A1C was similar for attendees and non-attendees (9.6 vs. 9.7 %, respectively). Post-class A1C was 7.4 % for attendees of at least one class and 8 % for non-attendees. Patients who attended all four classes achieved a mean A1C &lt;7 %.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>There are many factors that lead to lack of engagement with group education for diabetes. Referral to group education by a pharmacist who has established rapport with the patient and can speak to specific details about benefits of the classes may improve attendance at diabetes group education.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"16 ","pages":"Article 100526"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142531952","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effectiveness and safety of cannabis-based products for medical use in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome: A systematic review","authors":"Valentina Lopera ,&nbsp;Juan Carlos Restrepo ,&nbsp;Pedro Amariles","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2024.100524","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2024.100524","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Background: There is a need to explore pharmacological options for syndrome (FMS), such as medical cannabis. The aim of this systematic review was to synthesize and analyze the available information about the effectiveness/efficacy and safety of cannabis-based products for medical use (CBPMs) and cannabis-based medicines (CBMs), in patients with FMS. Methods: Interventional or observational studies, systematic reviews and meta-analysis regarding the effectiveness/efficacy and safety of CBPMs and CBMs in patients with FMS were retrieved from the PubMed/Medline database until April 2024. Then, the information was summarized in tables, with the type of CBPM and CBM, the method used in the study and the effective-ness/efficacy and safety outcomes. Results: 19 publications were selected from the search or form the relevant references. Different CBPM and CBM were used across the studies. Also, different instruments for measuring the effectiveness were used. In general, the use of CBPMs and CBM showed an important improvement in pain, quality of life, and sleep habits. There were no serious adverse events. Conclusions: The results show that CBMPs and CBMs could be effective and safe in patients with FMS; however, the evidence is limited and there is a need for high-quality clinical studies conducted with improved methodological design.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"16 ","pages":"Article 100524"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142531951","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Determining user implementation needs for pharmacist-prescribed contraception using concept mapping: A participatory, multiple stakeholder approach","authors":"Jenny L. Newlon ,&nbsp;Jennifer A. Campi ,&nbsp;Sally Rafie ,&nbsp;Ashley H. Meredith","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2024.100525","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2024.100525","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>As of October 2024, 29 states and the District of Columbia allow community pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptives. Pharmacists have reported many challenges and barriers to service implementation.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Concept mapping was used to gather insights from diverse stakeholders to identify resources to facilitate implementation of pharmacist-prescribed contraceptive services. Stakeholders included end-users (pharmacy managers, staff pharmacists) and decision-makers (pharmacy owners/executives). Participants' ideas for resources were collected via multi-stakeholder focus groups. Participants then rated each idea (i.e. statement) in terms of importance and feasibility (1 = not at all important/feasible, 4 = extremely important/feasible) and sorted ideas into groups based on similarity via an online survey. Sorting data were analyzed using multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis to develop a cluster map. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze rating data to develop a go-zone map, where statements rated above average in terms of both importance and feasibility are plotted in the “go-zone” and are considered the most actionable ideas.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Participants (focus groups <em>n</em> = 19, survey <em>n</em> = 48) generated 46 unique statements which created four clusters via multidimensional scaling: 1) implementation guidance for practice setup, 2) marketing resources, 3) billing and payment resources, and 4) appointment management. The majority of the statements (13 of 15) considered the most actionable were from the implementation guidance and appointment management clusters.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Stakeholders seek guidance on implementation, marketing, billing and payment, and appointment management. To increase the ability of community pharmacies to meet the contraceptive needs of patients, resources should be dedicated to creating tools and solutions to address these identified needs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"16 ","pages":"Article 100525"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142531955","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Arabic medication-related burden quality of life (MRB-QoL) tool: Cross-cultural adaptation and content validation","authors":"Sundos Q. Al-Ebrahim ,&nbsp;Jeff Harrison ,&nbsp;Timothy F. Chen ,&nbsp;Hamzah Alzubaidi ,&nbsp;Mohammed A. Mohammed","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2024.100523","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2024.100523","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The Medication-Related Burden Quality of Life (MRB-QoL) is a 31-item valid and reliable patient-reported measure of medicine burden on functioning and well-being in people with long-term conditions (LTC).</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>To translate, culturally adapt, and content validate the MRB-QoL into Arabic.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A rigorous approach to cross-cultural adaptation proposed by the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) guideline was followed. After 3 forward translations and 2 backward translations, a multidisciplinary expert panel assessed the content validity (CV) of the items through a 2-round e-modified Delphi method followed by two-step cognitive debriefings with patients with LTC using think-aloud and probing techniques. An item-content validity index (I-CVI) score of ≥0.78 was considered acceptable. The original questionnaire developers and other researchers, as members of the review committee, reviewed and approved the Arabic version.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Five semantic and 3 cultural translation discrepancies were identified and resolved by rewording the items. The 2 backward translations did not reveal significant problems, and equivalence to the original tool was confirmed following committee review. The Arabic version showed acceptable CV parameters. <em>E</em>-modified Delphi involved 9 experts in round one and 7 in round 2. The I-CVI scores ranged from 0.67 to 1.0, and agreement was reached after 2 rounds. The CVI for the final version of the MRB-QoL was 0.96. Expert panel review showed that the MRB-QoL-Arabic version is relevant (CVI = 0.92), important (CVI = 0.97), clear (CVI = 0.98), and comprehensive in measuring the burden of medicines. Data from 5 cognitive interviews showed that items and concepts included in the Arabic version of the MRB-QoL are relevant to the targeted sample, clear, and easy to understand.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The MRB-QoL Arabic version was developed and content validated. However, further evaluation of its other psychometric properties is necessary before it can be utilized in clinical and research settings. Using this tool will enable a more accurate understanding of the effects of treatment burden on patient well-being, thereby guiding care toward minimally disruptive medicine.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"16 ","pages":"Article 100523"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142531954","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mapping the Mpox discourse: A network and sentiment analysis","authors":"Ikhwan Yuda Kusuma ,&nbsp;Ádám Visnyovszki ,&nbsp;Muh Akbar Bahar","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2024.100521","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2024.100521","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mpox, a zoonotic disease re-emerging from animals to humans, poses a risk of evolving into a global pandemic due to its high infectivity and potential asymptomatic transmission. This study maps the structure and configuration of mpox-related discussions on Twitter/X, identifies key influencers and top hashtags, and analyzes public sentiment. Data were collected using NodeXL Pro from May 7, 2022, to January 15, 2023, with the keyword “Monkeypox” and visualized using Gephi. Social network analysis ranked nodes by betweenness centrality scores to highlight key communicators, and the YifanHu layout algorithm visualized the network. Influential users, source topics, and hashtags were identified, and sentiment analysis was conducted using Azure Machine Learning tools. The analysis identified 11,397 mpox-related tweets. The network structure resembled a community with diverse participants. Influential users included health and science journalists, writers, academics, medical doctors, and public figures. News media and organizational websites were the top information sources, emphasizing the need for accessible scientific information. “Monkeypox” and “Mpox” were the most prevalent hashtags. Negative sentiments dominated the discussion. This analysis provides insights into network structure, key influencers, information sources, and public sentiment, aiding tailored health initiatives to address misinformation and advocate valid health information and emergency responses.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"16 ","pages":"Article 100521"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142441429","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Rural community pharmacists' willingness to receive, administer, and recommend COVID-19 vaccines after the First U.S. vaccine rollout","authors":"Sura O. AlMahasis ,&nbsp;Brent Fox ,&nbsp;David Ha ,&nbsp;Jingjing Qian ,&nbsp;Chih-hsuan Wang ,&nbsp;Salisa C. Westrick","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2024.100520","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2024.100520","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Vaccines remain the cornerstone for prevention of COVID-19. Particularly in rural areas, community pharmacists are among the most accessible healthcare professionals. Their advocacy for immunization can help overcome patients' vaccine hesitancy and close the disparity gap between rural and urban regions. This study explored factors influencing the willingness to recommend and administer COVID-19 vaccines among rural community pharmacists after the first U.S. vaccine rollout.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A convenience sample of rural community pharmacists completed a selfadministered, validated paper/online survey (<em>n</em> = 86, 23.4% response rate). Measures included COVID-19 vaccination status, perceived benefits of offering COVID-19 immunization services at the pharmacy, and willingness to recommend and administer COVID-19 vaccines. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate statistics were used to analyze potential nonresponse bias, survey responses, and associations between variables as appropriate. Alpha was set at 0.05.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The proportion of pharmacists who were vaccinated against COVID-19 was 79.1%. Over 75% of participants were in favor of recommending COVID-19 immunizations to eligible family members and patients and almost 85% agreed that they would administer COVID-19 vaccines to their patients. Most pharmacists perceived COVID-19 immunization services to be beneficial, such as attracting more patients into the pharmacy (81.2%), increasing pharmacy revenue (75.3%), and enhancing relationships with local clinics/public health agencies (74.1%). COVID-19 vaccination status and the perceived benefit of offering immunization services at the pharmacy were significantly associated with pharmacists' willingness to recommend and administer COVID-19 vaccines.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The relatively high rates of COVID-19 vaccination uptake and the strong willingness of rural community pharmacists to recommend and administer COVID-19 vaccines, after the first national vaccine rollout, were encouraging. The findings underscore the importance of engaging rural community pharmacists in efforts to prepare for and respond to future pandemics and public health crises.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"16 ","pages":"Article 100520"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-10-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142428360","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Capturing pharmacists’ perspectives on the value, risks, and applications of ChatGPT in pharmacy practice: A qualitative study","authors":"Ammar Abdulrahman Jairoun ,&nbsp;Sabaa Saleh Al-Hemyari ,&nbsp;Moyad Shahwan ,&nbsp;Ghala Rashid Alnuaimi ,&nbsp;Nihal Ibrahim ,&nbsp;Ammar Ali Saleh Jaber","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2024.100518","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2024.100518","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>To investigate the pharmacists' perspectives on benefits and risks of using ChatGPT in pharmacy practice and explore how this disruptive and ground-breaking technology can be effectively integrated.</div></div><div><h3>Methods and materials</h3><div>A qualitative approach that draws data from licensed pharmacists using semi-structured interviews.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Most participants felt ChatGPT could enhance the compliance, use, management, safety, adherence to medication, medication counseling, minimize medication errors, and streamline medication dispensing. However, when Chat-GPT has limited information and relies on obsolete medication databases, it risks providing inaccurate recommendations and inadequate medication details. Also, most participants highlighted the difficulty in interpreting ambiguous patient input or drug descriptions when using the application.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Despite its potential, utilizing ChatGPT in pharmacy practice must be dependent on evidence-based results that offer profound insight into AI technology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"16 ","pages":"Article 100518"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142428361","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Patients' insights into unused medications during the COVID-19 outbreak: A qualitative study","authors":"Mutaseim Makki ,&nbsp;Asrul Akmal Shafie ,&nbsp;Ahmed Awaisu ,&nbsp;Rabia Hussain ,&nbsp;Moza Al Hail ,&nbsp;Walid Mohammed ElMotasim ,&nbsp;Mohamed Yousif Mohamed Ali Taha ,&nbsp;Einas Abdoun ,&nbsp;Noriya Mohd J. Al-Khuzaei ,&nbsp;Gamila Salama ,&nbsp;Abdulrouf Pallivalapila ,&nbsp;Wessam El Kassem ,&nbsp;Binny Thomas","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2024.100517","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2024.100517","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The COVID-19 outbreak had significant global healthcare implications, including the use of medications. This is specifically evident in the surge in use of some medication and a decline in the use of others. As a result, some medications end up unused, which may have subsequent health, economic, and environmental impacts.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>To explore patients' insights into unused medications during the COVID-19 outbreak.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 patients attending various public and private healthcare facilities in Qatar between January and July 2021. A thematic analysis approach was utilized, with 2 researchers independently analyzing, comparing, and discussing the coding. The resulting themes were further discussed in research group meetings until a consensus was reached.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Seven themes emerged: awareness of unused medications and their impacts on health, economy, and the environment; barriers contributing to nonadherence/unused medications; sources of medications; factors facilitating medication use; patients' behaviors toward donated medications/reuse; patients' awareness of medication storage requirements; and patients' desire to appropriately dispose of unused medications.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The COVID-19 outbreak disrupted medication supply and adherence, resulting in an increase in unused medications and inappropriate disposal. Adherence is crucial for improving patients' health and preserving medications. Implementing mail-return systems for unused medications could be a viable solution during disease outbreaks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"16 ","pages":"Article 100517"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142428289","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessment of knowledge, perception, and readiness for telepharmacy-assisted pharmaceutical services among young pharmacists in rural Indonesia","authors":"Muhammad Thesa Ghozali","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2024.100513","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2024.100513","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The implementation of telepharmacy technology has expanded significantly, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, to ensure continuous pharmaceutical care services. This practice is vital in rural and underserved areas where access to healthcare is limited.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aims to assess the knowledge, perception, and readiness of young pharmacists in rural Indonesia towards telepharmacy-assisted pharmaceutical services.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to July 2023 in rural areas of Java, Sumatra, and Kalimantan, Indonesia. A convenience sampling method was employed with the aim of recruiting 520 registered pharmacists under 35 years of age (23–34 years old). Data were collected using an online questionnaire adapted for the local context and analyzed using SPSS version 26.0.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The study achieved an 86.67 % response rate. Most participants were female (73.1 %) and aged between 26 and 30 years (53.8 %). Nearly all pharmacists (97.1 %) held a Pharm.D degree. The knowledge assessment showed high awareness of telepharmacy's importance and its role during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 96.15 % recognizing the need for a strong internet connection. Positive perception was noted, with 90.38 % agreeing that telepharmacy enhances medication access in rural areas. However, concerns about increased error rates and workload were highlighted. A substantial proportion of pharmacists expressed readiness for conducting drug counselling via video consultation (44.23 %) and showed a willingness to undergo relevant training (59.62 %).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Young pharmacists in rural Indonesia demonstrate a good level of knowledge and generally positive perceptions about telepharmacy, with notable readiness among pharmacists with less than five years of experience. While there is notable willingness to engage in telepharmacy practices and training, addressing concerns about workload and data security through targeted support and training will be crucial for the successful implementation of telepharmacy, potentially enhancing healthcare access in rural areas.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"16 ","pages":"Article 100513"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142428306","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prospective healthcare students' perspectives and attitudes on pharmacy as a chosen career path","authors":"Shadi Doroudgar,&nbsp;Mahsa Sedaghat,&nbsp;Nabeez Noor,&nbsp;Shervin Gorji","doi":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2024.100512","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcsop.2024.100512","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Background&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;With the national increase in the number of colleges and schools of pharmacy as well as the decreased pharmacy school applicant pool in recent years, pharmacy school enrollment challenges are at the forefront of issues facing pharmacy programs today. Factors that can influence a candidate's likelihood to pursue pharmacy school are important to evaluate. Recent studies assessing factors that motivate potential pre-health candidates to pursue pharmacy school or other healthcare careers are limited.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Objective&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;To describe prospective candidates' perspectives and attitudes toward pharmacy as a career pathway and assess factors that motivate or deter them from pursuing pharmacy as a career and from considering a specific pharmacy school.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Method&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;The study was cross-sectional and used an online data collection form distributed via the Qualtrics platform from October 4, 2022 through October 12, 2022 using the social media platform Reddit. Reddit has hundreds of subcommunities known as subreddits, that allow for exchange of ideas and discussion regarding various topics. This social media platform is commonly used by pre-health students to discuss career options. The survey consisted of 28 items and two domains, demographics and prospective healthcare students' understanding of responsibilities of pharmacists and their overall perspective on pharmacy as a profession. The survey was targeted toward anyone with an intention of pursuing a health science degree or career.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Result&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Four hundred participants completed the survey. Participants were mainly Caucasian, male, and with a mean age of 25 years. This study assessed prospective candidates' perspectives and attitudes toward pharmacy as a career pathway, appealing and unappealing characteristics about pursuing a career in the field of pharmacy, and factors that motivate or deter candidates from pursuing pharmacy. While 68 % of the participants had heard that career choices are vast and vary in the field of pharmacy, most still had concerns about the pharmacy field being heavily saturated and lack of job opportunities after graduation. Almost 60 % of responders gained information about pharmacy programs through social media platforms. The North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination pass rate, postgraduate residencies/fellowships, program duration and program reputation were among the top factors in choosing a pharmacy program.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Conclusion&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Many survey participants had heard that there are a variety of job opportunities in the field of pharmacy, but the majority had heard that the pharmacy field is heavily saturated and that there are lack of opportunities after graduation. Most responders gained information through social media platforms. For prospective pharmacy school candidates, NAPLEX pass rate, number of graduates matched with PGY1 residencies and fellowships, a","PeriodicalId":73003,"journal":{"name":"Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy","volume":"16 ","pages":"Article 100512"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142428305","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}