Do Professional Practices among Malaysian Private Healthcare Providers Differ? A Comparative Study using Simulated Patients

Alabid, Alamin Hassan M. A.; Ibrahim, Mohamed Izham Mohamed

doi:10.7860/jcdr/2013/6198.3789

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…However, commonly, the patient is providing a labelled empty container to the pharmacy and placing their trust in the pharmacist to fulfil this role, without consultation with their doctor. These results have some similarities with studies conducted in some developing countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam [43][44][45][46].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians’ Perceptions of Scopes of Practice Employing Agency Theory in the Management of Minor Ailments in Central Indonesian Community Pharmacies: A Qualitative Study

Mizranita,

Hughes,

Sunderland

et al. 2023

Pharmacy

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Community pharmacy staff assist in the management of minor ailments. Agency Theory underpins relationships between health professionals and patients. This study explores pharmacists’ and pharmacy technicians’ perceived scopes of practice of minor ailment services in community pharmacies. Twelve one-on-one semi-structured interviews used an open-ended interview guide for each cohort of community pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, between June and July 2021. Purposive sampling selected a diversity of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, thematically analysed assisted by NVivo version 20. Agency Theory aided the interpretation. Three main themes emerged: (1) inconsistencies in practice, (2) the lack of understanding of the scopes of practice of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, and (3) provision of prescription-only medicines for some minor ailments or to fulfil patient requests. Several sub-themes included pharmacy staff involvement, education and training, provision of prescription-only medicines, and weak regulatory enforcement. Agency Theory indicated pharmacy patients (principals) delegated authority to pharmacists and pharmacy technicians (agents), which was confused by partial pharmacist absence. The lack of defined scopes of practice for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians disrupted established professional relationships. The scopes of practice and roles of the pharmacist and pharmacy technicians should be clearly defined, assisted by practice guidelines.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians’ Perceptions of Scopes of Practice Employing Agency Theory in the Management of Minor Ailments in Central Indonesian Community Pharmacies: A Qualitative Study

Mizranita,

Hughes,

Sunderland

et al. 2023

Pharmacy

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“…Counseling services aim to enhance patients' understanding of their medicines and promote adherence [ 25 ]. Despite a significant proportion of respondents recognizing medication counseling as a typical role of a pharmacist, most respondents had not received these services.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing consumers’ perception and demand on the community pharmacists’ dispensing

Xuan,

Goh,

Rehman

et al. 2023

J of Pharm Policy and Pract

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Background This study aimed to assess the general public's perception of services provided by community pharmacies, their willingness to utilize these services, their satisfaction with and understanding of community pharmacists, and their views on dispensing separation and pharmacy medicines (P medicines). Methods An online cross-sectional study was conducted, in which questionnaires were distributed among the general public. A novel questionnaire was designed and validated specifically for this study. It was composed of six sections: demographics, pharmacy usage and service preferences, understanding and satisfaction with pharmacists, views on dispensing separation, private community pharmacies, and knowledge of P medicines. Statistical analyses such as one-way ANOVA, independent t test, and binary logistic regression were employed, with a p value of < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results The study received 222 responses. The majority of the respondents were females within the 20–29-year-old age group (62.2%). Most respondents preferred to consult doctors for medical treatment, with their primary reason for visiting community pharmacies being to collect prescribed medicines. About 52.7% of respondents expressed their willingness to avail of screening services and treatment for minor illnesses at community pharmacies. A statistically significant difference was found among different age groups regarding their views on the dispensing separation system, with those aged 41–50 years demonstrating higher scores. However, the binary logistic regression analysis did not reveal any statistical significance when comparing the understanding of P medicines among respondents. Conclusions In general, the public prefers to consult doctors for medical treatment and visit community pharmacies predominantly to collect prescriptions or purchase over-the-counter medications. Nonetheless, they are also open to utilizing services provided by community pharmacists, particularly screening services and treatment for minor illnesses.

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“…In an Iraqi SPM study in Baghdad with 75 visits using a symptom-based scenario on acute diarrhea, prices ranged from $0.20 to $1.38 (∆ 590%) 26 and in a Malaysian SPM study in the state of Penang with 100 visits also using a symptom-based scenario on common cold even from M$3.90 to M$37.00 (∆ 849%). 27 For oral emergency contraceptives (EC), a Brazilian SPM study in three urban regions with 122 visits using a product-based scenario showed a somewhat lower range from “only” $1.25 to $5.75 (∆ 360%). 28 However, a Congolese SPM study in Kinshasa with 73 visits also using a product-based scenario for oral EC showed even a range from $0.50 to $9.20 (∆ 1.740%).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dispensing and Variabilities in Pricing of Headache OTC Medicines by Community Pharmacies in a German Big City: A Simulated Patient Approach

Kunow¹,

Langer²

2021

CEOR

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Background In Germany, over-the-counter (OTC) medicines for self-medication may only be dispensed by community pharmacies (CPs). From the customer’s point of view, “adequate” counseling includes not only the recommendation of medicines that meet guidelines, but ao the dispensing of low-priced medicines. This is all the more important in Germany against the background of free pricing and a lack of obligation to display prices. The aim was to analyze the dispensing and possible price variability of OTC medicines for headache. Methods The cross-sectional design of the study based on the simulated patient methodology (SPM) included all 42 CPs of the German big city Potsdam and used eight trained simulated patients (SPs). Between October and December 2020, four different SPs visited each CP four times with two almost identical scenarios with the demand for a medicine for headache. Results All 168 planned visits were successfully completed and ibuprofen (60.1%) was dispensed most frequently. Across all dispensed medicines, prices varied from €0.93 to €9.97 (∆ 972%; median €3.46 [interquartile range (IQR) €2.25]). For repeated dispensing of the same CPs, the price variability was a maximum of €8.77. In addition, packs with ≤10 tablets were dispensed in 47.6%, with 11 to 20 tablets in 50.6%, and with >20 tablets in 1.8% of visits. Conclusion Increasing price transparency and strengthening price competition could make it easier for customers to access OTC medicines according to their personal needs.

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Do Professional Practices among Malaysian Private Healthcare Providers Differ? A Comparative Study using Simulated Patients

Cited by 5 publications

References 11 publications

Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians’ Perceptions of Scopes of Practice Employing Agency Theory in the Management of Minor Ailments in Central Indonesian Community Pharmacies: A Qualitative Study

Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians’ Perceptions of Scopes of Practice Employing Agency Theory in the Management of Minor Ailments in Central Indonesian Community Pharmacies: A Qualitative Study

Assessing consumers’ perception and demand on the community pharmacists’ dispensing

Dispensing and Variabilities in Pricing of Headache OTC Medicines by Community Pharmacies in a German Big City: A Simulated Patient Approach

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