Artificial intelligence utilization in the healthcare setting: perceptions of the public in the UAE.

Understanding the use of AI in healthcare is essential for the successful implementation of AI-driven healthcare solutions. The aim of this study was to evaluate public perception of AI utilization in healthcare settings. A validated questionnaire assessed general perceptions towards AI utilization, the use of AI by physician , and the use of AI by pharmacists . The study included 770 participants. The median perception score indicated an unfavorable attitude. Participants who had lower education level and those with no employment had a significantly lower perception scores than their counterpart. Participants who reported low income and those who visited the pharmacy five to ten times on average had a higher perception than their counterparts did. The reported negative perception necessitates the implementation of education campaigns to improve AI literacy and dispel any misconceptions and concerns, particularly among individuals with low education, high income, unemployment, and frequent pharmacy visits.

Lipid control and its associated factors among patients with dyslipidaemia in Jordan.

BACKGROUND: Lipid control represents a cornerstone in the management of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Nevertheless, little research has explored the factors associated with poor lipid control in patients with dyslipidaemia. OBJECTIVE: The study aim was to investigate the variables associated with poor lipid control among patients with dyslipidaemia in Jordan. METHOD: In addition to socio-demographics, disease and medication-related variables, lipid profile including total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C and triglyceride and other biomedical variables were collected for patients diagnosed with dyslipidaemia using hospital medical charts at three major outpatient clinics in Jordan. The validated 4-item medication adherence scale and the beliefs about medications questionnaire were used to evaluate medication adherence and medication beliefs among the study participants. The participants were classified to have controlled and uncontrolled dyslipidaemia using recent AHA guidelines. A stepwise forward conditional binary regression was conducted to explore the variables significantly and independently associated with dyslipidaemia control. A P-value of < .05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 228 patients participated in the study. Most of the study participants (61%) were classified to have uncontrolled lipid profile and 60.1% of them were found to have ASCVD. Regression analysis revealed that increased necessity for dyslipidaemia medications increased the odds of dyslipidaemia control (OR = 1.14), whereas active smoking (OR = 0.42), low medication adherence (OR = 0.0.8) and the presence of ASCVD (odd ratio = 0.24) were significantly associated with poor dyslipidaemia control. CONCLUSION: Lipid profile has considerable scope for improvement in patients with dyslipidaemia in Jordan. Improving medication adherence by emphasising on medication necessity and simplifying the prescribed dosage regimen, particularly in smoking patients and those who have ASCVD, should be particularly considered in future clinical pharmacy service programmes aim at improving lipid control and health outcomes in patients with dyslipidaemia.

Pharmacy and Pharm.D students' knowledge and information needs about COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic necessitates collaborative teamwork by all healthcare providers including pharmacists. Since Pharmacy and Pharm. D students represent the future pharmacists, it is necessary to ensure that they have a good awareness about COVID-19 or any other pandemic that could happen in the future. OBJECTIVE: The study aim was to evaluate Pharmacy and Pharm.D students' knowledge and information needs about COVID-19. METHOD: A cross-sectional web-based design survey was used to assess socio-demographics and knowledge about COVID-19 amongst Pharmacy and Pharm. D students. After being validated, the questionnaire was formatted into Google forms and distributed amongst undergraduate Pharmacy and Pharm. D students in accredited Universities in Jordan. RESULTS: A total of 860 Pharmacy and Pharm.D students completed the questionnaire. Results revealed moderate students' knowledge about COVID-19 (mean knowledge score was 5.6 out of 10). Students had high correct response rates in questions asking about transmission method, treatment, zoonotic transmission and medications to be avoided. However, the students demonstrated low knowledge in questions asking about the incubation period and degree of contagion scores. Several factors were associated with students' level of knowledge including the field of study and academic year. Few students relied on their faculty as the main source of information about the infection and most of them relied on self-reading and social network. CONCLUSION: The results of this study clearly demonstrate unsatisfactory level of knowledge and a lot of information needs about COVID-19 amongst Pharmacy and Pharm. D students. More efforts should be deployed to educate pharmacy students about COVID-19, with an emphasis on the need for more active role by the universities to achieve this goal.