The workload and satisfaction of pharmacists and pharmacy assistants after installation of an automated tablet dispensing and packaging system in a tertiary university hospital in Malaysia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the impact of pharmacy automation on the workload and satisfaction of pharmacists and pharmacy assistants in an inpatient setting. METHODS: This was an observational, cross-sectional survey using a convenience sampling method conducted at the University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) In-Patient Pharmacy. A validated online questionnaire assessed user satisfaction and task duration. RESULTS: A total of 21 pharmacists and 18 pharmacy assistants participated in the survey. Most pharmacists (n = 17/21) were confident in the system, and both pharmacists and pharmacy assistants perceived it to be beneficial for patients (n = 33/39) and for reducing medication errors (n = 32/39). Pharmacy assistants spent approximately 5.34 hours on traditional work including filling medication orders (1.44 hours) after automated tablet dispensing and packaging system (ATDPS) implementation. Pharmacists spent 1.19 hours filling medication orders and 1.71 hours checking/verifying them, in contrast. CONCLUSION: Pharmacists focused mainly on clinical duties with healthcare colleagues, while pharmacy assistants handled various medication orders. Nevertheless, ATDPS reduced pharmacy staff workload in medication handling, achieving user satisfaction.

La implantación de la jornada laboral de ocho horas en las farmacias españolas, 1904-1936 / The implementation of the eight-hour working day in Spanish pharmacies, 1904-1936

Resumen Se estudia la implantación de la jornada de ocho horas (1919) en las oficinas de farmacia españolas, así como los antecedentes legislativos que condujeron a ella: ley de descanso dominical y ley reguladora de la dependencia mercantil. Estos establecimientos sanitarios fueron contemplados en algunas de las situaciones de excepcionalidad que marcaban estas disposiciones, que eran diferentes en función de que el trabajador fuera "externo" o estuviera acogido al sistema de "internado". También recogemos y analizamos los puntos de vista de los grupos profesionales implicados (farmacéuticos y auxiliares), es decir, patronos y obreros, a través de la prensa profesional más destacada, que representaba a los intereses encontrados de estos profesionales.

Abstract This is a study about the implementation of the eight-hour day (1919) in Spanish pharmacy offices and the legislative antecedents that led to it: the Sunday rest law and the law regulating commercial dependency. These health establishments were contemplated in some of the exceptional situations that marked these provisions, which were different depending on whether the worker was "external" or was part of the "internship" system. The article also collects and analyzes the points of view of pharmacists and auxiliaries, that is, employers and workers, through the most prominent professional press, which represented the conflicting interests of these professionals.

Exploring an extended role for pharmacy assistants on inpatient wards in UK hospitals: using mixed methods to develop the role of medicines assistants.

Objectives: This project explored the deployment of pharmacy assistants to inpatient wards in a new role as 'medicines assistants' (MA). Methods: Ward-based MAs were introduced to six wards across two UK hospitals to support medicines administration. Each 30-bed ward delivered acute inpatient services with MAs supporting typical nursing medication administration rounds to 15 patients. Data were collected using activity diaries, observations, clinical audit and semistructured interviews with pharmacy assistants, pharmacy technicians, clinical pharmacists, nurses, ward managers and pharmacy managers. Thematic analysis, descriptive statistics and the Mann-Whitney U test were used to analyse qualitative and quantitative data, respectively. Results: MAs were able to act as a point of contact between the ward and the pharmacy department and were perceived to save nursing time. A statistically significant reduction in the length of time to complete morning medication administration to 15 patients was observed (mean 74.5 vs 60.8 min per round, p<0.05). On average, 17.4 hours of medicines-related activity per ward per week was carried out by MAs rather than by nursing staff. Participants identified broader training and clarity was needed in relation to the accountability and governance of patient-facing roles. Conclusion: Pharmacy assistants deployed as MAs can contribute to saving nursing time and bridge the gap between nursing and pharmacy professionals.

Knowledge and Attitudes of Hospital Pharmacy Staff in Canada Regarding Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD).

BACKGROUND: In February 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that it was unconstitutional to prohibit physicians from assisting in a patient's consensual death, thereby setting the groundwork for the legalization of medical assistance in dying (MAiD). Much of the research on this topic has focused on physicians, although other health care professionals will be involved in the process, including pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy assistants. In many provinces, the medications required for MAiD will be dispensed from hospital pharmacies, which will result in direct involvement of hospital pharmacy staff. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective was to investigate the knowledge and attitudes of hospital pharmacy staff in Canada regarding MAiD. The secondary objective was to determine the factors that might influence those opinions. METHODS: A 34-question web-based survey was available for 6 weeks during early 2017 to hospital pharmacy staff throughout Canada. For most questions, responses were based on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from "strongly agree" to "strongly disagree". Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: A total of 1040 valid survey responses were received: 607 from pharmacists, 273 from pharmacy technicians, and 160 from pharmacy assistants. Most respondents were supportive of MAiD; however, nearly all respondents (99% [601/607] of pharmacists, 73% [315/431] of technicians and assistants]) reported lacking comprehensive education on the topic. Despite high levels of overall support, pharmacists tended to be less supportive of MAiD than pharmacy technicians or assistants. Factors that influenced opinions included strong religious beliefs, region, and knowledge of provincial and federal legislation. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of respondents, particularly technicians and assistants, were supportive of MAiD, but most respondents lacked education about the topic.

CONTEXTE: En février 2015, la Cour suprême du Canada a statué qu'il était inconstitutionnel d'interdire aux médecins d'aider les patients à mourir par consentement, ce qui a jeté les bases de la légalisation de l'aide médicale à mourir (AMAM). Une grande partie de la recherche sur le sujet était axée sur les médecins, malgré le fait que d'autres professionnels de la santé seront appelés à participer au processus, notamment les pharmaciens, les techniciens en pharmacie et les aides-pharmaciens. Dans bien des provinces, les médicaments nécessaires à l'AMAM proviendront des pharmacies hospitalières, ce qui résultera en la participation directe du personnel de pharmacie hospitalière. OBJECTIFS: L'objectif principal visait à examiner les connaissances et l'attitude du personnel de pharmacie hospitalière au Canada relativement à l'AMAM. L'objectif secondaire était de découvrir les facteurs pouvant influencer les avis du personnel sur le sujet. MÉTHODES: Pendant six semaines, au début de 2017, un sondage en ligne de 34 questions était à la disposition du personnel de pharmacie hospitalière de partout au Canada. Inspirés de l'échelle de Likert à cinq points, les choix de réponse à la plupart des questions s'étendaient de « fortement d'accord ¼ à « fortement en désaccord ¼. Des statistiques descriptives et par inférence ont servi à analyser les données. RÉSULTATS: Des 1040 réponses valables, 607 provenaient de pharmaciens, 273 de techniciens en pharmacie et 160 d'aides-pharmaciens. La plupart des répondants étaient en faveur de l'AMAM. Cependant, près de l'ensemble des répondants (99 % [601/607] des pharmaciens et 73 % [315/431] des techniciens et des aides) ont signalé ne pas posséder une connaissance suffisante du sujet. Malgré le degré élevé de soutien apporté par l'ensemble des personnes interrogées, l'appui des pharmaciens à l'AMAM tendait à être plus faible que celui des techniciens en pharmacie ou des aides-pharmaciens. Parmi les facteurs propres à influencer les avis des répondants, on trouvait les croyances religieuses fortes, la provenance géographique et la connaissance des lois provinciales et fédérales. CONCLUSIONS: La majorité des répondants, particulièrement les techniciens et les aides, était en faveur de l'AMAM, mais la plupart des répondants ne possédaient pas une connaissance suffisante du sujet.

Exploring oral healthcare management across Australian community pharmacies using case vignettes.

OBJECTIVES: In Australia, more than 80% of pharmacists and pharmacy assistants are consulted for oral healthcare advice up to five times or more each week. This study assesses Australian community pharmacy staff's (pharmacists and pharmacy assistants) ability to recognize and manage common oral health presentations using case vignettes, and determine whether appropriate identification and management are associated with self-reported confidence. METHODS: Five oral healthcare case vignettes were developed based on previous literature by a multidisciplinary team of dental and pharmacy practitioner academics. Topics included pulpitis, gingivitis, oral hygiene advice for a toddler, a mouth ulcer and a dry mouth scenario. Pharmacies were randomly selected from each Australian State and Territory and community pharmacy staff invited to complete the case vignettes. RESULTS: A total of 312 and 932 case vignettes were completed by pharmacy assistants and pharmacists, respectively. Approximately one-third of staff appropriately identified a non-healing mouth ulcer and up to 16% recognized a pulpitis (inflamed dental pulp) presentation. Provision of best practice or evidence-based recommendations were reported in up to 28%, 19%, 57% and 31% of pharmacy staff offering appropriate advice and guidance for pulpitis, gingivitis, a non-healing mouth ulcer and oral health promotion messages, respectively. No participants provided all best practice recommendations for drug-induced xerostomia. In all five vignettes, confidence was not associated with best practice recommendations and was only modestly associated with improved rates for recognizing gingivitis symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: To allow community pharmacists and assistants to fulfil their role as important members of the oral healthcare team, additional training and support are required to facilitate improved recognition of common oral health presentations and to offer recommendations which are in line with current best practice guidelines.

Use of cross-sector apprenticeships in pharmacy: is it a sustainable quality education model for pharmacy assistants?

OBJECTIVES: To establish whether undertaking cross-sector pharmacy apprenticeship training to become a pharmacy assistant equally split across the two main pharmacy sectors improves training experience and cross-sector understanding. METHODS: A mixed method approach was utilised to explore the experiences of 10 pharmacy apprentices, their employers and education provider. Questionnaires were used to explore apprentices' experiences and views following each 6-month placement. Seven pharmacy employers and the education provider were invited to take part in telephone interviews. Questionnaires were analysed using simple frequencies; qualitative data were analysed thematically. KEY FINDINGS: Ten apprentices were recruited, and nine apprentices returned questionnaires from at least one placement. Three hospital-based employers, four community employers and one education provider were interviewed. All participants had found the pilot positive and the cross-sector training to have been a useful experience. Employers noted that the pilot provided the apprentice with valuable insight into the patient's journey and the opportunity to share learning across sectors. Employers also commented that more information regarding the nature of the training would have been useful to help better structure the placement for the apprentice. CONCLUSIONS: This paper explores the benefits and challenges of employing a pharmacy apprentice and utilising a novel cross-sector training model. Findings have potential relevance to the training of other pharmacy staff, including pharmacy technicians and pharmacists. They offer early insights into the potential value of pharmacy apprenticeships for training pharmacy assistants, particularly if these are set up across the two main sectors hospital and community pharmacy.

Can pharmacy assistants play a greater role in public health programs in community pharmacies? Lessons from a chlamydia screening study in Canberra, Australia.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the engagement of pharmacy assistants (PA) in public health service provision. OBJECTIVE: To explore the experiences of PA participating in a study to determine whether a cash reward, offered to consumers and pharmacy businesses, increased participation in community pharmacy-based chlamydia screening. METHODS: PA experience of the study education and training package, participant recruitment and conducting screening (providing information about chlamydia, specimen collection and handling urine samples) were evaluated using knowledge assessment, a questionnaire and focus groups. RESULTS: Twenty PA participated in the study: 15 (75%) completed all education and training components, 20 (100%) completed the questionnaire and 10 (50%) attended a focus group. PA rated all education and training components as effective (mean visual analog scale scores >8.5). Most PA (13/18, 72.2%) did not support/were unsure about continuing the program, citing the 25% repeat testing rate (presumed to relate to the cash reward) and privacy/confidentiality issues as reasons. Qualitative analysis suggested that minimizing repeat testing, improved workload management and recognition of, and remuneration for, education and training would make this model more acceptable to PA. CONCLUSION: Findings from this study support the assertion that PA can play a significant role in public health initiatives.