• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.143-152
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to explore changes in pharmacists' perceptions of preceptorship in the experiential education and to evaluate the educational effects of a preceptor orientation program. Methods: Code-matched pre- and post-surveys were conducted for Pharmacists who participated in a preceptor orientation program designed by the Pusan National University (PNU) College of Pharmacy in May and December, 2011. A total of 50 sets of survey responses were analyzed. Results: After a 2-day course of 8-hour preceptor orientation workshop scheduled 1 week apart, the number of respondents who became fully aware and understand toward goals and vision of 6-year pharmacy education was increased from 52% to 96%. The orientation program also improved the understanding of pharmacists on preceptor's roles and functions, and the number of respondents who reported that their perceptions of preceptorship were changed positively was increased by 40%. In addition, the data demonstrated that the preceptor orientation program improved the overall perceived self-assessed competence of participants as a preceptor by 12.9 points (from 51.76 to 64.66 points, p = 0.0001). Most of the participants agreed the preceptor orientation program was beneficial and ongoing training and education for preceptor development is necessary. Conclusion: This study identified the perceptions of pharmacists on 6-year pharmacy education and preceptorship in the experiential education. Findings from the survey demonstrated that the preceptor orientation program of the PNU College of Pharmacy was effective to improve pharmacist's competence as a preceptor. This study was a good start in identifying areas where preceptor development is needed, and provides insights into the development and implementation of preceptor orientation programs. In the future, more rigorous research is needed to explore long-term effects of preceptor orientation program and the outcomes of preceptor education in the improvement of the quality of experiential education.

• Health Policy and Management
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• 제11권4호
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• pp.70-87
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to identify health care providers' perceptions about the goal achievement and benefit/loss caused by the separation policy of drug prescribing and dispensing after the policy implemented on July 1, 2001. Uslng stratified sampling method based on the administration area, Ku, 315 physicians and pharmacists were sampled from the rosters of physician and pharmacist association in the city of Busan on 2001. There were 122 and 115 responses from physician and pharmacist sample, respectively. 78.3% of physicians and 50.4% of pharmacists evaluated that the goal of the policy was not achieved. Moreover, 75.3% of physicians and 40.7% of pharmacists did not support the policy. Most physicians and pharmacists considered preventing the citizens with drug abuse and misuses as the most important benefit derived from the policy. However, physicians and pharmacists concerned over raising health care cost that could be patients' burden. The most important physicians' benefit derived from the policy was free choice of all possible medicine that might result in effectiveness of medication. In physicians' the most important loss, most physicians worried about that breaking traditional patient and physician relationship might cause physicians' authority in treating diseases to be damaged. Pharmacists considered the most important policy benefit as hiked social status resulted from enforcement of profession due to the policy whereas they considered the most significant loss as expected financial problems of small pharmacies compared to that of large pharmacies or pharmacies adjacent to hospitals. In the current problems of the policy, physician and pharmacists blamed the government for inadequate preparations of the policy implementation. Physicians and pharmacists also considered citizens' mature attitudes toward the policy as a crucial success factor.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• 제34권2호
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• pp.108-117
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• 2024

Background: This study aimed to explore the current activities of pharmacists in local pharmacies for preventing narcotics addiction, identify areas for improvement, and support initiatives to enhance and expand the activities of "narcotics addiction prevention counseling pharmacies" (hereinafter referred to as "Majung Pharmacies"). Methods: Surveys were conducted targeting local community pharmacists participating in the Majung Pharmacy activities in Daegu. Results: Out of 42 pharmacists who registered in the Majung Pharmacy movement in 2021, 41 responded (response rate of 98%). After excluding three participants who met the exclusion criteria, data from 38 participants were analyzed. The participating pharmacists were generally well aware of the conditions for pharmacists to serve as "accessible experts" in the forefront of drug addiction prevention. It was observed that the activities of Majung Pharmacies, particularly among highly engaged pharmacists, led to positive effects such as an increased focus on medication counseling for psychotropic drugs, thereby enhancing their professionalism. However, a significant number of participants also expressed negative opinions. Factors such as enthusiasm for professional activities and perceptions of the pharmacist's social role were important in shaping perceptions of Majung Pharmacy activities, whether positively or negatively. Additionally, this study underlined that pharmacists in practice are highly aware of the seriousness of issues arising from the use of narcotics by prescriptions. Conclusion: Suggestions were outlined for both short-term and long-term strategies aimed at ensuring the stable growth and expansion of Majung Pharmacy initiatives.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.37-42
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to evaluate barriers to pharmacists' routine work in community setting. A survey was given to 281 pharmacists who enrolled in 16-week clinical pharmacy educating program in continuous education center for advanced pharmacy at Seoul National University. Three main questions that pharmacists were asked to answer were: (1) difficulties on dispensing prescription, (2) difficulties on communicating with doctors, (3) most difficult disease on patients counseling. The response rates for the survey were more than 60 % for each three questions (62.63 %, 63.7 %, and 64.41 %, respectively). The top three barriers to dispensing prescription were lack of professional knowledge about medications, prescription error and its solving ability and patient counseling. The top three barriers to communicating with doctors were lacking of opportunity to discuss about patients' medication due to unavailability of doctors, doctors' attitude using authoritative manner, and a pharmacist's lack of knowledge. The top 4 most difficult diseases on patients counseling were cardiovascular disorders, dermatologic disorders, endocrinologic disorders, and psychiatric disorders.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.169-182
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• 2014

Background: There exist some different perceptions on clinical pharmacy between Korean and western societies. Since the pharmacists who received the 6-year pharmacy education join the pharmacy profession soon, it appears imperative to know whether the western-style clinical pharmacy is adaptable to Korean-style pharmacy education and profession. Methods: The authors surveyed 54 professors in the membership directory of the Korean College of Clinical Pharmacy (KCCP) on their perceptions on clinical pharmacy and clinical pharmacists, and their willingness for adapting clinical pharmaceutical care (CPC) and clinical pharmaceutical sciences (CPS) into clinical pharmacy education. The survey consists of 47 questions including dichotomized and Likert scale questionnaires in the areas of respondent demographics, clinical pharmacy, clinical pharmacists, CPC and CPS. Results: Of the 54 KCCP members surveyed, 29 completed the questionnaires in full and one in part. It appears that most KCCP members acknowledge the existence and importance of the two major fields of clinical pharmacy, CPC and CPS. Twenty-eight (96.6%) and seventeen members (68.0%) agreed to introduce CPC and CPS into the clinical pharmacy education in Korea, respectively. Seventeen (63.0%) answered CPC would be successfully adapted in Korea. Twenty (74.1%) agreed that it is desirable for clinical pharmacists to perform CPC and CPS simultaneously. Conclusion: Based on this survey, the authors suggest that pharmacy schools provide their students with the education opportunities on CPC to nurture clinical pharmacists through a master's program and CPS to foster clinical pharmaceutical scientists through a Ph.D. program.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권13호
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• pp.5305-5309
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• 2014

Background: This study aimed to assess the most common physical side effects experienced by local chemotherapy patients. Their perceptions of these side effects and informational needs from clinical pharmacists were also evaluated. Materials and Methods: This was a single-center, cross-sectional study. A face-to-face interview guided by a structured questionnaire with cancer patients admitted to receive repeated cycles of chemotherapy was conducted. Information collected included chemotherapy-related side effects after last chemotherapy experience, the most worrisome side effects, the side effects overlooked by healthcare professionals and the preferred method, amount and source of receiving related information. Results: Of 99 patients recruited, 90 participated in this survey (response rate: 90.9%). The majority were in the age range of 45-64 years (73.3%) and female (93.3%). Seventy-five (83.3%) and seventy-one (78.9%) experienced nausea and vomiting, respectively. Both symptoms were selected as two of the most worrisome side effects (16.7% vs. 33.3%). Other common and worrisome side effects were hair loss and loss of appetite. Symptoms caused by peripheral neuropathies were perceived as the major symptoms being overlooked (6.7%). Most patients demanded information about side effects (60.0%) and they would like to receive as much information as possible (86.7%). Oral conversation (83.3%) remained as the preferred method and the clinical pharmacist was preferred by 46.7% of patients as the educator in this aspect. Conclusions: The high prevalence of chemotherapy-related side effects among local patients is of concern. Findings of their perceptions and informational needs may serve as a valuable guide for clinical pharmacists to help in side effect management in Malaysia.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.94-101
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• 2015

Background: In order to achieve the goals of community pharmacy practice, its legal, labour-related, and economic barriers need to be identified. This study examined pharmacists' perceptions of constraints on providing optimal pharmacy services in order to identify underlying factors and analyse the associations between barriers and pharmaceutical services in community pharmacies. Methods: A survey targeting pharmacy owners was conducted from May to June 2012 using a structured questionnaire including nine pharmaceutical service items. According to the service provision level, we classified pharmacists as inactive (fewer than 5 items among the listed 9 service items) and active providers (5 or more items). Principal component analysis was used to group significant factors for barriers into four thematic components. Associations between the participants' demographics and pharmacy characteristics and the services provided were explored by logistic regression analyses. Results: Participants were 402 pharmacists. Over 60% provided disease management services for hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidaemia. Variables that affected pharmaceutical services included the lack of separate areas for patient counselling (OR: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.18-3.80), and clinical knowledge and information-related barriers (OR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.36-0.97). Conclusion: Strategies for improving clinical knowledge and providing expeditious information are necessary in order to improve community pharmacy services.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• 제58권5호
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• pp.349-356
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• 2014

With the advent of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART), the perceptions of HIV therapy have changed from treating acute and terminal diseases to managing complex chronic diseases. Due to needs for specialists with professional knowledge on anti-retroviral therapies, pharmacists have been recognized as established and integral members in HIV multi-disciplinary care teams. Nevertheless, the roles of Korean pharmacists for HIV/AIDS therapy were highly limited. According to the transition of '2+4'-year pharmacy school curricula in Korea, it is necessary for pharmacy students to possess improved knowledge about and proper attitudes toward HIV/AIDS as future pharmacists. However, there have been little studies regarding the assessment of HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitudes, and risk perceptions of pharmacy students in Korea. Thus, this study was to examine Korean pharmacy students' knowledge levels, attitudes, and risk perceptions about HIV/AIDS and compare them according to pharmacy educational systems. The self-reported questionnaire was utilized to collect data. Total 238 students responded to the survey questionnaires. Most pharmacy students who participated in this study knew that the main transmission routes of HIV were unprotected sex, unscreened blood, occupational exposure, and intravenous drug use. However, they did not properly know post exposure prophylaxis for HIV. The pharmacy students under '2+4'-year curricula were more competent with treatment, care, counseling for HIV patients than those under 4-year curricula. Most pharmacy students thought that all healthcare students and professionals should receive mandatory HIV testings. The results from this study may contribute to developing new educational programs about HIV/AIDS. Additionally, further studies regarding the changes of Korean pharmacy students' attitudes and risk perceptions will need to be performed after they participate in these kinds of the programs.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• 제33권2호
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• pp.97-105
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• 2023

Background: Dispensing of prescription drugs is the most important task for community pharmacists. However, the public's satisfaction with pharmacist services is not high, and distrust due to dispensing by unqualified person and/or under unsanitary conditions led to demands for transparent dispensing room (TDR) in pharmacies. Objective: This study was conducted to investigate how pharmacy students perceive pharmacists' credibility and professional ethics in conjunction with the TDR issue. Methods: A survey using 20-items questionnaire was conducted from July 12 to 20, 2019 in pharmacy students nationwide. Results: Among 218 respondents, 84.1% attended pharmacy school located in the metropolitan area, 61.1% were the 3rd or 4th graders, and 81.2% had no practical training in community pharmacy. 56.2% were unaware of the TDR issue, and 66.8% agreed on the public's demand for TDR. 68.8% disagreed that TDR was the best way to solve the problem of unqualified dispensing, while 51.9% agreed that TDR was the best way in solving unsanitary dispensing problem. Publics' confidence level of community pharmacists was mean 5.84 (range 1-10). In a question asking how expertise and professional ethics affect pharmacist confidence, 50% said expertise was more important, 31.7% the same, and 18.3% said professional ethics was more important. Conclusions: To overcome the demand for TDR which began with public distrust in pharmacists, it is necessary to seek measures to increase the credibility of pharmacists, and as part of this, pharmacist ethics should be systematically educated at pharmacy school.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제57권3호
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• pp.212-222
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• 2024

Objectives: Epilepsy is a chronic disease that requires long-term treatment and intervention from health workers. Medication adherence is a factor that influences the success of therapy for patients with epilepsy. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the role of pharmacists in improving the clinical outcomes of epilepsy patients, focusing on medication adherence. Methods: A scoping literature search was conducted through the ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases. The literature search included all original articles published in English until August 2023 for which the full text was available. This scoping review was carried out by a team consisting of pharmacists and neurologists following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Extension for Scoping Reviews and the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines, including 5 steps: identifying research questions, finding relevant articles, selecting articles, presenting data, and compiling the results. Results: The literature search yielded 10 studies that discussed pharmacist interventions for patients with epilepsy. Five articles described educational interventions involving drug-related counseling with pharmacists. Two articles focused on similar pharmacist interventions through patient education, both verbal and written. Three articles discussed an epilepsy review service, a multidisciplinary intervention program involving pharmacists and other health workers, and a mixed intervention combining education and training with therapy-based behavioral interventions. Conclusions: Pharmacist interventions have been shown to be effective in improving medication adherence in patients with epilepsy. Furthermore, these interventions play a crucial role in improving other therapeutic outcomes, including patients' knowledge of self-management, perceptions of illness, the efficacy of antiepileptic drugs in controlling seizures, and overall quality of life.