No abstract

No abstract

BackgroundPatient satisfaction is the ultimate goal of healthcare system which can be achieved from good patient-healthcare professional relationship and quality of healthcare services provided.Study was conducted to determine the baseline satisfaction level of newly diagnosed diabetics and to explore the impact of pharmaceutical care intervention on patients’ satisfaction during their follow-ups in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Nepal.MethodsAn interventional, pre-post non-clinical randomised controlled study was designed among randomly distributed 162 [control group (n = 54), test 1 group (n = 54) and test 2 group (n = 54)] newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus patients by consecutive sampling method for 18 months. Diabetes Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire was used to evaluate patient’s satisfaction scores at baseline, three, six, nine and, twelve months’ follow-ups. Test groups patients were provided pharmaceutical care whereas control group patients only received their usual care from physician/nurses. The responses were entered in SPSS version 16. Data distribution was not normal on Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Non-parametric tests i.e. Friedman test, Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon signed rank test were used to find the differences among the groups before and after the intervention (p ≤0.05).ResultsThere were significant (p < 0.001) improvements in patients’ satisfaction scores in the test groups on Friedman test. Mann-Whitney U test identified the significant differences in satisfaction scores between test 1 and test 2 groups, control and test 1 groups and, control and test 2 groups at 3-months (p = 0.008), (p < 0.001) and (p < 0.001), 6-months (p = 0.010), (p < 0.001) and (p < 0.001), 9-months (p < 0.001), (p < 0.001) and (p < 0.001) and, 12-months (p < 0.001), (p < 0.001) and (p < 0.001) follow-ups respectively.ConclusionPharmaceutical care intervention significantly improved the satisfaction level of diabetics in the test groups compare to the control group. Diabetic kit demonstration strengthened the satisfaction level among the test 2 group patients. Therefore, pharmacist can act as a counsellor through pharmaceutical care program and assist the patients in managing their disease. This will not only modify the patients’ related outcomes and their level of satisfaction but also improve the healthcare system.

Background: Cost is a vital component for people with chronic diseases as treatment is expected to be long or even lifelong in some diseases. Pharmacist contributions in decreasing the healthcare cost burden of chronic patients are not well described due to lack of sufficient evidences worldwide. In developing countries like Nepal, the estimation of direct healthcare cost burden among newly diagnosed diabetics is still a challenge for healthcare professionals, and pharmacist role in patient care is still theoretical and practically non-existent. This study reports the impact of pharmacist-supervised intervention through pharmaceutical care program on direct healthcare costs burden of newly diagnosed diabetics in Nepal through a non-clinical randomised controlled trial approach.

Objective: The present study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of 3 rd - and 4 th -year medical, dental, and pharmacy students about hepatitis B (HB) infection at a private medical university, Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among 482 medical, dental, and pharmacy students of 3 rd - and 4 th -year degree program of Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology University to assess their KAP about HB infection using 34 prevalidated questions by convenient sampling method. A questionnaire was administered to the students, and their responses were measured at “yes” and “no” scale. Students' responses were entered in SPSS version 22, and quantitative analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests at P < 0.05. Findings: The medical, dental, and pharmacy students had good knowledge and practice with positive attitude about HB infection. Mann–Whitney U-test determined a significant difference in knowledge ( P < 0.001) and practice ( P < 0.001) scores between medical and pharmacy, attitude ( P < 0.001) scores between medical and dental, and attitude ( P < 0.001) and practice ( P < 0.001) scores between pharmacy and dental students. Students' age was correlated with their attitude, practice, and KAP scores and family income with their knowledge, attitude, practice, and KAP scores. Conclusion: Although students' knowledge and practice were good with positive attitude, all the students did not participate in health education program, screening, and vaccination of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection which makes them more vulnerable to occupational HBV infection. Hence, it is recommended to organize a regular health education program for the students on screening and vaccination against HBV to prevent its infection.

The drug information center (DIC) at the Manipal Teaching Hospital (MTH), Pokhara, Nepal, was started in November 2003. The DIC provides objective, unbiased information on drugs and therapeutics to health care professionals in the teaching hospital and outside. The DIC is also involved in activities beyond the provision of drug information. The DIC maintains a close liaison with the hospital drug and therapeutics committee and various clinical departments. Postgraduate students are trained in the activities of the DIC. The DIC runs a pharmacovigilance center and a medication counseling center. The resources of the DIC are used for teaching undergraduate medical students and undergraduate pharmacy students of Pokhara University. The DIC is also involved in the Continuing Pharmacy Education (CPE) program of hospital pharmacists. The DIC publishes a quarterly drug information and pharmacovigilance bulletin. The DIC supports research by members and clinicians and encourages student research. The members liaise with other DICs and organizations.

Students read widely beyond their course. The possibility of introducing medical humanities in the curriculum should be explored.

No abstract