Demographic and psychological predictors of community pharmacists' cancer-related conversations with patients: a cross-sectional analysis and survey study.

BACKGROUND: There is increasing interest in the role of community pharmacy in the early diagnosis and prevention of cancer. This study set out to examine how often community pharmacists (CPs) encourage patients to spot or respond to potential signs and symptoms of cancer, and how often they help people to make an informed decision about taking part in bowel cancer screening. METHODS: Data from 400 UK CPs, who completed the 2018 Cancer Research UK Healthcare Professional Tracker survey, were analysed. The primary outcomes were: 'how often CPs encourage patients to spot or respond to potential signs and symptoms of cancer' and 'how often CPs encourage eligible people to make an informed decision to participate in bowel cancer screening'. Associations between behaviours and demographic and psychological variables (Capability, Opportunity and Motivation) were assessed using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Most (n = 331, 82.8%) CPs reported occasionally, frequently or always encouraging patients to spot or respond to potential signs and symptoms of cancer, while only half (n = 203, 50.8%) reported occasionally, frequently or always helping people make an informed decision to participate in bowel cancer screening. Female sex (aOR: 3.20, 95%CI: 1.51, 6.81; p < 0.01) and increased Opportunity (aOR: 1.72, 95%CIs: 1.12, 2.64; p < 0.05) and Motivation (aOR: 1.76, 95%CIs: 1.37, 2.27; p < 0.001) were associated with encouraging patients to spot or respond to potential signs and symptoms of cancer; all three psychological variables were associated with helping people to make an informed decision to participate in bowel cancer screening (Capability: aOR: 1.39, 95%CIs: 1.26, 1.52, p < 0.001; Opportunity: aOR: 1.44, 95%CIs: 1.11, 1.87; p < 0.01; Motivation: aOR: 1.45, 95%CIs: 1.05, 2.00; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Most CPs encourage patients to spot or respond to potential cancer symptoms, while only half help them make an informed decision to participate in bowel cancer screening. A multifaceted approach, targeting multiple COM-B components, is required to change these behaviours.

Designing the Optimal Digital Health Intervention for Patients' Use Before and After Elective Orthopedic Surgery: Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: Health behavior changes made by patients during the perioperative period can impact the outcomes and success of elective surgeries. However, there remains a limited understanding of how best to support patients during this time, particularly through the use of digital health interventions. Recognizing and understanding the potential unmet needs of elective orthopedic surgery patients is central to motivating healthier behavior change, improving recovery, and optimizing overall surgical success in the short and long term. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to explore patient perspectives on technology features that would help support them to change their lifestyle behaviors during the pre- and postoperative periods, and that could potentially maintain long-term healthy lifestyles following recovery. METHODS: Semistructured interviews with pre- and postoperative elective orthopedic patients were conducted between May and June 2020 using telephone and video call-based software. Patient perspectives on the use of digital technologies to complement current surgical care and support with lifestyle behavior changes were discussed. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Reflexive thematic analysis enabled the development of themes from the data, with QSR NVivo software (version 12) facilitating data management. Ethical approval was obtained from the National Health Service Health Research Authority. RESULTS: A total of 18 participants were interviewed. Four themes were developed from the data regarding the design and functionality of digital technologies to best support the perioperative journey. These center around an intervention's ability to incorporate interactive, user-centered features; direct a descriptive and structured recovery; enable customizable, patient-controlled settings; and deliver both general and specific surgical advice in a timely manner. Interventions that are initiated preoperatively and continued postoperatively were perceived as beneficial. Interventions designed with personalized milestones were found to better guide patients through a structured recovery. Individualized tailoring of preparatory and recovery information was desired by patients with previously high levels of physical activity before surgery. The use of personalized progression-based exercises further encouraged physical recovery; game-like rewards and incentives were regarded as motivational for making and sustaining health behavior change. In-built video calling and messaging features offered connectivity with peers and clinicians for supported care delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Specific intervention design and functionality features can provide better, structured support for elective orthopedic patients across the entire surgical journey and beyond. This study provides much-needed evidence relating to the optimal design and timing of digital interventions for elective orthopedic surgical patients. Findings from this study suggest a desire for personalized perioperative care, in turn, supporting patients to make health behavior changes to optimize surgical success. These findings should be used to influence future co-design projects to enable the design and implementation of patient-focused, tailored, and targeted digital health technologies within modern health care settings.

What are the consequences of over and undertreatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in a frail population? A systematic review.

AIMS: This review aims to identify the evidence base for the consequences of over and undertreatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in a frail population. METHOD: In this systematic review, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, CINAHL and the Cochrane Library for studies from January 2001 to 15th August 2022. We included a variety of study types that assessed and reported frailty including patients ≥18 years old. Studies included those that reported the prevalence of over or undertreatment of diabetes mellitus in a frail population and those examining outcomes related to glucose control in frail older people living with diabetes. Data were extracted using a bespoke extraction table using a narrative synthesis approach. RESULTS: A total of 4114 articles were identified with 112 meeting inclusion criteria. These included 15,130 participants across the 11 studies with sample sizes ranging from 101 to 11,140. Several areas were identified in the included studies where under or overtreatment of diabetes impacted outcomes for patients. These included hospital admissions, readmissions, length of stay, falls, mortality, cognitive impairment and cardiovascular disease outcomes. CONCLUSION: The results showed that there was a high heterogeneity of outcomes between the studies and that many examined small numbers of participants. In this review, both over and undertreatment were shown to increase adverse outcomes in frail older people. Further research around optimal glycaemic control for frail older people living with diabetes is required with the aim to identify ideal target ranges and produce practical clinical guidelines to promote attainment of these.

Deprescribing interventions in older adults: An overview of systematic reviews.

OBJECTIVE: The growing deprescribing field is challenged by a lack of consensus around evidence and knowledge gaps. The objective of this overview of systematic reviews was to summarize the review evidence for deprescribing interventions in older adults. METHODS: 11 databases were searched from 1st January 2005 to 16th March 2023 to identify systematic reviews. We summarized and synthesized the results in two steps. Step 1 summarized results reported by the included reviews (including meta-analyses). Step 2 involved a narrative synthesis of review results by outcome. Outcomes included medication-related outcomes (e.g., medication reduction, medication appropriateness) or twelve other outcomes (e.g., mortality, adverse events). We summarized outcomes according to subgroups (patient characteristics, intervention type and setting) when direct comparisons were available within the reviews. The quality of included reviews was assessed using A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR 2). RESULTS: We retrieved 3,228 unique citations and assessed 135 full-text articles for eligibility. Forty-eight reviews (encompassing 17 meta-analyses) were included. Thirty-one of the 48 reviews had a general deprescribing focus, 16 focused on specific medication classes or therapeutic categories and one included both. Twelve of 17 reviews meta-analyzed medication-related outcomes (33 outcomes: 25 favored the intervention, 7 found no difference, 1 favored the comparison). The narrative synthesis indicated that most interventions resulted in some evidence of medication reduction while for other outcomes we found primarily no evidence of an effect. Results were mixed for adverse events and few reviews reported adverse drug withdrawal events. Limited information was available for people with dementia, frailty and multimorbidity. All but one review scored low or critically low on quality assessment. CONCLUSION: Deprescribing interventions likely resulted in medication reduction but evidence on other outcomes, in particular relating to adverse events, or in vulnerable subgroups or settings was limited. Future research should focus on designing studies powered to examine harms, patient-reported outcomes, and effects on vulnerable subgroups. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42020178860.

Designing Digital Health Technology to Support Patients Before and After Bariatric Surgery: Qualitative Study Exploring Patient Desires, Suggestions, and Reflections to Support Lifestyle Behavior Change.

BACKGROUND: A patient's capability, motivation, and opportunity to change their lifestyle are determinants of successful outcomes following bariatric surgery. Lifestyle changes before and after surgery, including improved dietary intake and physical activity levels, have been associated with greater postsurgical weight loss and improved long-term health. Integrating patient-centered digital technologies within the bariatric surgical pathway could form part of an innovative strategy to promote and sustain healthier behaviors, and provide holistic patient support, to improve surgical success. Previous research focused on implementing digital technologies and measuring effectiveness in surgical cohorts. However, there is limited work concerning the desires, suggestions, and reflections of patients undergoing bariatric surgery. This qualitative investigation explores patients' perspectives on technology features that would support behavior changes during the pre- and postoperative periods, to potentially maintain long-term healthy lifestyles following surgery. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to understand how digital technologies can be used to support patient care during the perioperative journey to improve weight loss outcomes and surgical success, focusing on what patients want from digital technologies, how they want to use them, and when they would be of most benefit during their surgical journey. METHODS: Patients attending bariatric surgery clinics in one hospital in the North of England were invited to participate. Semistructured interviews were conducted with purposively sampled pre- and postoperative patients to discuss lifestyle changes and the use of digital technologies to complement their care. The interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Reflexive thematic analysis enabled the development of themes from the data. Ethical approval was obtained from the National Health Service Health Research Authority. RESULTS: A total of 20 patients were interviewed (preoperative phase: 40% (8/20); postoperative phase: 60% (12/20). A total of 4 overarching themes were developed and related to the optimization of technology functionality. These centered on providing tailored content and support; facilitating self-monitoring and goal setting; delivering information in an accessible, trusted, and usable manner; and meeting patient information-seeking and engagement needs during the surgical pathway. Functionalities that delivered personalized feedback and postoperative follow-up were considered beneficial. Individualized goal setting functionality could support a generation of digitally engaged patients with bariatric conditions as working toward achievable targets was deemed an effective strategy for motivating behavior change. The creation of digital package of care checklists between patients and clinicians was a novel finding from this study. CONCLUSIONS: Perceptions of patients undergoing bariatric surgery validated the integration of digital technologies within the surgical pathway, offering enhanced connectedness and support. Recommendations are made relating to the design, content, and functionality of digital interventions to best address the needs of this cohort. These findings have the potential to influence the co-design and integration of person-centered, perioperative technologies.

The development of undergraduate pharmacy students as reflective thinkers for the evolving field of pharmacy.

OBJECTIVES: Iterative reflective practice is recognised to support learners' formation of humanism and resilience, facilitating the healthy development of professional identity. In one undergraduate pharmacy programme, students experience a series of seminars to develop their understanding and skills in the practice of reflection and its articulation. In Stage (year) 4, students engage in a reflection conference where they present a reflective account of a 'Significant Learning Event' or their journey 'From Student to Professional'. Student abstracts from this conference were investigated to explore the nature of the reflective practice. METHODS: The student abstracts submitted for the reflection conference in the academic years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 were subjected to manifest and latent content analysis to investigate what and how students chose to reflect. This was supplemented by the ethnographic approach of the researchers, who attended, observed and engaged with students at the event. KEY FINDINGS: 107 abstracts were submitted across the cohorts. Students reflected mainly upon experiences across a range of extra- and co-curricular activities, and reported significant learning, according to Fink's taxonomy, mainly in the human dimension, caring and learning to learn. CONCLUSIONS: At the culmination of the reflection educational strand within this programme, students demonstrated purposeful, deliberate introspection and metacognition in their abstracts for the reflection conference. These skills are fundamental to support transformative learning, whereby students have the ability to self-regulate and critique their frames of reference with autonomy and flexibility that will enable them to most effectively engage and benefit from lifelong learning within the profession.

Young@Heart clinic: a feasibility study of an undergraduate pharmacy student-led blood pressure and healthy lifestyle clinic.

OBJECTIVES: Student-led clinics offer a work-based learning (WBL) opportunity for undergraduate healthcare students to engage with professional activities in a real-life setting. Participation is posited to provide experiential learning and prepare students for clinical practice. This study aims to assess the feasibility of establishing and engaging undergraduate students in one such initiative through the collaboration between one School of Pharmacy and local authority. METHODS: The clinic was developed using a logic model and delivered in 2019-2020. A service specification and training were developed and provided to volunteering undergraduate pharmacy students. Anonymised service data were collected and process outcomes around student and public engagement were recorded to assess feasibility for longer-term embedding into the undergraduate programme. KEY FINDINGS: The clinic was operational for 20 days from November 2019 to February 2020. Student volunteers (n = 43, 36.7%) were trained and provided blood pressure screening and healthy living advice to 131 members of the public. Student drop-out occurred due to the voluntary nature of the initiative. CONCLUSIONS: Collaborative working with the local authority facilitated this WBL experience outside conventional clinical environments. The study demonstrated the potential for students to participate in service provision. This offers value to the local population through a health prevention service when a structured approach to the design and delivery of the educational experience is undertaken. The study provides insight into how the WBL can work, what it requires (e.g. resource, preparation), and learning to inform the wider implementation of this WBL into the undergraduate curriculum.

The value of teachable moments in surgical patient care and the supportive role of digital technologies.

Evidence strongly supports improved outcomes following surgery when patients are more physically active, have better dietary intake, or are generally fitter prior to surgery. Having an operation is a major life event for patients, and many are not educated around what they can do as individuals to aid a speedier and more successful recovery following their operation. What if there was a time point before surgery where clinicians could inspire patients to adjust their lifestyles for the better, in order to see fewer complications after surgery? This is where the concept of teachable moments comes into play. This commentary explores the concept of teachable moments and their value in surgical patient care and discusses the potentially under-utilized opportunities on hand to the surgical multidisciplinary team to remotely support patients using digital health technologies.

Digital and Mobile Technologies to Promote Physical Health Behavior Change and Provide Psychological Support for Patients Undergoing Elective Surgery: Meta-Ethnography and Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Digital technology has influenced many aspects of modern living, including health care. In the context of elective surgeries, there is a strong association between preoperative physical and psychological preparedness, and improved postoperative outcomes. Health behavior changes made in the pre- and postoperative periods can be fundamental in determining the outcomes and success of elective surgeries. Understanding the potential unmet needs of patients undergoing elective surgery is central to motivating health behavior change. Integrating digital and mobile health technologies within the elective surgical pathway could be a strategy to remotely deliver this support to patients. OBJECTIVE: This meta-ethnographic systematic review explores digital interventions supporting patients undergoing elective surgery with health behavior changes, specifically physical activity, weight loss, dietary intake, and psychological support. METHODS: A literature search was conducted in October 2019 across 6 electronic databases (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews [PROSPERO]: CRD42020157813). Qualitative studies were included if they evaluated the use of digital technologies supporting behavior change in adult patients undergoing elective surgery during the pre- or postoperative period. Study quality was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool. A meta-ethnographic approach was used to synthesize existing qualitative data, using the 7 phases of meta-ethnography by Noblit and Hare. Using this approach, along with reciprocal translation, enabled the development of 4 themes from the data. RESULTS: A total of 18 studies were included covering bariatric (n=2, 11%), cancer (n=13, 72%), and orthopedic (n=3, 17%) surgeries. The 4 overarching themes appear to be key in understanding and determining the effectiveness of digital and mobile interventions to support surgical patients. To successfully motivate health behavior change, technologies should provide motivation and support, enable patient engagement, facilitate peer networking, and meet individualized patient needs. Self-regulatory features such as goal setting heightened patient motivation. The personalization of difficulty levels in virtual reality-based rehabilitation was positively received. Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy reduced depression and distress in patients undergoing cancer surgery. Peer networking provided emotional support beyond that of patient-provider relationships, improving quality of life and care satisfaction. Patients expressed the desire for digital interventions to be individually tailored according to their physical and psychological needs, before and after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: These findings have the potential to influence the future design of patient-centered digital and mobile health technologies and demonstrate a multipurpose role for digital technologies in the elective surgical pathway by motivating health behavior change and offering psychological support. Through the synthesis of patient suggestions, we highlight areas for digital technology optimization and emphasize the importance of content tailored to suit individual patients and surgical procedures. There is a significant rationale for involving patients in the cocreation of digital health technologies to enhance engagement, better support behavior change, and improve surgical outcomes.

Digital Support for Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery: Narrative Review of the Roles and Challenges of Online Forums.

BACKGROUND: The internet has become an important medium within health care, giving patients the opportunity to search for information, guidance, and support to manage their health and well-being needs. Online forums and internet-based platforms appear to have changed the way many patients undergoing bariatric surgery view and engage with their health, before and after weight loss surgery. Given that significant health improvements result from sustained weight loss, ensuring patient adherence to recommended preoperative and postoperative guidance is critical for bariatric surgery success. In a patient cohort with high information needs preoperatively, and notoriously high attrition rates postoperatively, online forums may present an underutilized method of support. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to conduct a narrative review focusing on the developing roles that online forums can play for patients with bariatric conditions preoperatively and postoperatively. METHODS: A literature search was conducted in October-November 2019 across 5 electronic databases: Scopus, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and MEDLINE. Qualitative or mixed methods studies were included if they evaluated patients undergoing bariatric surgery (or bariatric surgery health care professionals) engaging with, using, or analyzing online discussion forums or social media platforms. Using thematic analysis, themes were developed from coding patterns within the data to identify the roles and challenges of online forums for patients undergoing bariatric surgery. RESULTS: A total of 8 studies were included in this review, with 5 themes emerging around (1) managing expectations of a new life; (2) decision making and signposting; (3) supporting information seeking; (4) facilitating connectedness: peer-to-peer social and emotional support; and (5) enabling accessibility and connectivity with health care professionals. CONCLUSIONS: Online forums could offer one solution to improving postoperative success by supporting and motivating patients. Future research should consider how best to design and moderate online forums for maximal effectiveness and the sharing of accurate information. The surgical multidisciplinary team may consider recommendations of online peer-support networks to complement care for patients throughout their surgical journey.

Training Student Pharmacists in Medication Dispensing and Checking Within a High-Fidelity Clinical Environment.

Objective. To describe the implementation of and student pharmacist experience with high-fidelity training in medication dispensing and clinical checking processes and procedures. Methods. An actual dispensary in a large teaching hospital was used as the setting in which to provide undergraduate student pharmacists the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge regarding the process and procedures of medication dispensing and clinical checking. The sessions were facilitated by a member of the hospital pharmacy team and overseen by a faculty member. Students were required to conduct legal and clinical checks and process anonymized hospital prescriptions. Students recorded their experiences in their professional portfolio as blog entries, which were then discussed with academic staff members on a biweekly basis. Content analysis of the blogs was conducted to investigate the student experience. Results. Forty-eight students attended 30 hours of dispensing sessions over a 20-week period from September to April. Content analysis of 102 blog entries demonstrated students reporting observations and experiences which mapped to the three components of communities of practice: the domain of pharmacy practice, the working dynamics of a community of professionals within the workplace, and the commonality of practice and shared repertoire of resources. Conclusion. The high-fidelity teaching of students about the dispensing and checking process in an actual dispensary environment supports student pharmacists' knowledge and skills development. The work-based nature of this approach also provides experiential learning opportunities for students to observe and participate in the professional community of practice.

Exploring Undergraduate Pharmacy Student Experiences of Learning Human Anatomy Using Cadaveric Specimens.

Objective. To gain insights into pharmacy students' experiences in learning human anatomy using qualitative interviews and thematic analysis. Methods. Participants included Master of Pharmacy students at the end of their first year or the beginning of their second year. The study used a transcendental phenomenological design. Data were collected using semi-structured individual interviews that were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was used to identify structural and textural components of participants' experiences using data management software. Results. Sixteen participants were recruited and interviewed. Students described developing an understanding of anatomy that differed from their previous experiences, focusing on variation in anatomical structures between patients, and developing professional attributes such as empathy and respect. Students described haptic learning that acted as a hook on which to anchor additional learning from textbooks and lectures. Finally, students perceived the experience as valuable to their future careers as caring professionals. Conclusion. The results of this qualitative study demonstrate that the value of teaching anatomy to undergraduate students goes beyond developing a broad knowledge of anatomical structures, but also engages a deeper conceptual appreciation of professionalism, thereby inducting them into a community of professional practice.

Improving medication-related clinical decision support.

PURPOSE: Current uses of medication-related clinical decision support (CDS) and recommendations for improving these systems are reviewed. SUMMARY: Using a systematic approach, articles published from 2007 through 2014 were identified in MEDLINE and EMBASE using MeSH terms and keywords relating to the 5 basic medication-related CDS functionalities. A total of 156 full-text articles and 28 conference abstracts were reviewed across each of the 5 areas: drug-drug interaction (DDI) checks (n = 78), drug allergy checks (n = 20), drug dose support (n = 55), drug duplication checks (n = 11), and drug formulary support (n = 20). The success of medication-related CDS depends on users finding the alerts valuable and acting on the information received. Improving alert specificity and sensitivity is important for all domains. Tiering is important for improving the acceptance of DDI alerts. The ability to perform appropriate cross-sensitivity checks is key to producing appropriate drug allergy checks. Drug dosage alerts should be individualized and deliver practical recommendations. How the system is configured to identify certain drug duplications is important to prevent possible patient toxicity. Accurate knowledge databases are needed to produce relevant drug formulary alerts and encourage formulary adherence. Medication-related CDS is still relatively immature in some organizations and has substantial room for improvement. For example, decision support should consider more patient-specific factors, human factors principles should always be considered, and alert specificity must be improved in order to reduce alert fatigue. CONCLUSION: Standardization, integration of patient-specific parameters, and consideration of human factors design principles are central to realizing the potential benefits of medication-related CDS.

Factors contributing to medication errors made when using computerized order entry in pediatrics: a systematic review.

Objective: To identify and understand the factors that contribute to medication errors associated with the use of computerized provider order entry (CPOE) in pediatrics and provide recommendations on how CPOE systems could be improved. Materials and Methods: We conducted a systematic literature review across 3 large databases: the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Embase, and Medline. Three independent reviewers screened the titles, and 2 authors then independently reviewed all abstracts and full texts, with 1 author acting as a constant across all publications. Data were extracted onto a customized data extraction sheet, and a narrative synthesis of all eligible studies was undertaken. Results: A total of 47 articles were included in this review. We identified 5 factors that contributed to errors with the use of a CPOE system: (1) lack of drug dosing alerts, which failed to detect calculation errors; (2) generation of inappropriate dosing alerts, such as warnings based on incorrect drug indications; (3) inappropriate drug duplication alerts, as a result of the system failing to consider factors such as the route of administration; (4) dropdown menu selection errors; and (5) system design issues, such as a lack of suitable dosing options for a particular drug. Discussion and Conclusions: This review highlights 5 key factors that contributed to the occurrence of CPOE-related medication errors in pediatrics. Dosing support is the most important. More advanced clinical decision support that can suggest doses based on the drug indication is needed.

A Consensus Approach to Investigate Undergraduate Pharmacy Students' Experience of Interprofessional Education.

Objective. To assess the development of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors for collaborative practice among first-year pharmacy students following completion of interprofessional education. Methods. A mixed-methods strategy was employed to detect student self-reported change in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Validated survey tools were used to assess student perception and attitudes. The Nominal Group Technique (NGT) was used to capture student reflections and provide peer discussion on the individual IPE sessions. Results. The validated survey tools did not detect any change in students' attitudes and perceptions. The NGT succeeded in providing a milieu for participating students to reflect on their IPE experiences. The peer review process allowed students to compare their initial perceptions and reactions and renew their reflections on the learning experience. Conclusion. The NGT process has provided the opportunity to assess the student experience through the reflective process that was enriched via peer discussion. Students have demonstrated more positive attitudes and behaviors toward interprofessional working through IPE.

A systematic review of the types and causes of prescribing errors generated from using computerized provider order entry systems in primary and secondary care.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the different types and causes of prescribing errors associated with computerized provider order entry (CPOE) systems, and recommend improvements in these systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of the literature published between January 2004 and June 2015 using three large databases: the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Embase, and Medline. Studies that reported qualitative data about the types and causes of these errors were included. A narrative synthesis of all eligible studies was undertaken. RESULTS: A total of 1185 publications were identified, of which 34 were included in the review. We identified 8 key themes associated with CPOE-related prescribing errors: computer screen display, drop-down menus and auto-population, wording, default settings, nonintuitive or inflexible ordering, repeat prescriptions and automated processes, users' work processes, and clinical decision support systems. Displaying an incomplete list of a patient's medications on the computer screen often contributed to prescribing errors. Lack of system flexibility resulted in users employing error-prone workarounds, such as the addition of contradictory free-text comments. Users' misinterpretations of how text was presented in CPOE systems were also linked with the occurrence of prescribing errors. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Human factors design is important to reduce error rates. Drop-down menus should be designed with safeguards to decrease the likelihood of selection errors. Development of more sophisticated clinical decision support, which can perform checks on free-text, may also prevent errors. Further research is needed to ensure that systems minimize error likelihood and meet users' workflow expectations.

A literature review of the training offered to qualified prescribers to use electronic prescribing systems: why is it so important?

OBJECTIVES: A key element of the implementation and ongoing use of an electronic prescribing (ePrescribing) system is ensuring that users are, and remain, sufficiently trained to use the system. Studies have suggested that insufficient training is associated with suboptimal use. However, it is not clear from these studies how clinicians are trained to use ePrescribing systems or the effectiveness of different approaches. We sought to describe the various approaches used to train qualified prescribers on ePrescribing systems and to identify whether users were educated about the pitfalls and challenges of using these systems. METHODS: We performed a literature review, using a systematic approach across three large databases: Cumulative Index Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Embase and Medline were searched for relevant English language articles. Articles that explored the training of qualified prescribers on ePrescribing systems in a hospital setting were included. KEY FINDINGS: Our search of 'all training' approaches returned 1155 publications, of which seven were included. A separate search of 'online' training found three relevant publications. Training methods in the 'all training' category included clinical scenarios, demonstrations and assessments. Regarding 'online' training approaches; a team at the University of Victoria in Canada developed a portal containing simulated versions of electronic health records, where individuals could prescribe for fictitious patients. Educating prescribers about the challenges and pitfalls of electronic systems was rarely discussed. CONCLUSIONS: A number of methods are used to train prescribers; however, the lack of papers retrieved suggests a need for additional studies to inform training methods.

Safety profile of lamotrigine in overdose.

BACKGROUND: Lamotrigine is an anticonvulsant as well as a mood stabilizer. Apart from its established use in the treatment of epilepsy, there has been an expansion of its use in the treatment of mental disorders. Patients with epilepsy as well as those with mental disorders are at increased risk of deliberate drug overdoses. An evidence base for the safety profile of lamotrigine in overdose is an essential tool for prescribers. The objective of this study was to carry out a narrative synthesis of the existing evidence for the safety profile of lamotrigine in overdose. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted of EMBASE (1974 to December 2015), MEDLINE (1946 to December 2015), PsycINFO (1806 to December 2015) and CINAHL (1981 to December 2015) databases. Studies were included in which there was a deliberate or accidental single drug overdose of lamotrigine, with its toxic effects described. Studies that did not involve an overdose were excluded. A narrative synthesis of the described toxic effects was carried out. RESULTS: Out of 562 articles identified, 26 studies were included, mainly in the form of case reports and series. The most commonly described toxic effects of lamotrigine were on the central nervous system, specifically seizures, movement disorders and reduced consciousness. Other toxic effects included QTc interval and QRS complex prolongations, hypersensitivity reactions, serotonin syndrome as well as rhabdomyolysis possibly due to seizures and/or agitation. Deaths were recorded in two studies, with cardiovascular and neurological toxic effects described. CONCLUSIONS: Even though lamotrigine has been reported to be well tolerated, there is a risk of toxic effects which can be life threatening in overdose. This needs to be borne in mind when prescribing to patients at an increased risk of deliberate drug overdose.

Community pharmacy-delivered interventions for public health priorities: a systematic review of interventions for alcohol reduction, smoking cessation and weight management, including meta-analysis for smoking cessation.

OBJECTIVES: To systematically review the effectiveness of community pharmacy-delivered interventions for alcohol reduction, smoking cessation and weight management. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analyses. 10 electronic databases were searched from inception to May 2014. STUDY DESIGN: randomised and non-randomised controlled trials; controlled before/after studies, interrupted times series. INTERVENTION: any relevant intervention set in a community pharmacy, delivered by the pharmacy team. No restrictions on duration, country, age, or language. RESULTS: 19 studies were included: 2 alcohol reduction, 12 smoking cessation and 5 weight management. Study quality rating: 6 'strong', 4 'moderate' and 9 'weak'. 8 studies were conducted in the UK, 4 in the USA, 2 in Australia, 1 each in 5 other countries. Evidence from 2 alcohol-reduction interventions was limited. Behavioural support and/or nicotine replacement therapy are effective and cost-effective for smoking cessation: pooled OR was 2.56 (95% CI 1.45 to 4.53) for active intervention vs usual care. Pharmacy-based interventions produced similar weight loss compared with active interventions in other primary care settings; however, weight loss was not sustained longer term in a range of primary care and commercial settings compared with control. Pharmacy-based weight management interventions have similar provider costs to those delivered in other primary care settings, which are greater than those delivered by commercial organisations. Very few studies explored if and how sociodemographic or socioeconomic variables moderated intervention effects. Insufficient information was available to examine relationships between effectiveness and behaviour change strategies, implementation factors, or organisation and delivery of interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Community pharmacy-delivered interventions are effective for smoking cessation, and demonstrate that the pharmacy is a feasible option for weight management interventions. Given the potential reach, effectiveness and associated costs of these interventions, commissioners should consider using community pharmacies to help deliver public health services.