Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Swee Shiuan Wong, Hooi Min Lim, Adrian Jian Zhi Chin, Felicia Wen Si Chang, Kah Chun Yip, Chin Hai Teo, Adina Abdullah, Chirk Jenn Ng
Summary: This study found a low level of eHealth literacy among primary care patients in Malaysia. While they were confident in searching for online health information, they lacked skills in appraising them. Higher education, income, and recent experience of seeking online health information were associated with higher eHealth literacy levels.
Article
Microbiology
David Petroff, Olaf Baetz, Katrin Jedrysiak, Anja Luellau, Jan Kramer, Hjoerdis Moeller, Renate Heyne, Burkhard Jaeger, Thomas Berg, Johannes Wiegand
Summary: The linkage between primary and secondary care appears to be problematic in the elimination of HCV infection. While screening may detect patients, there is an issue of drop out in the referral pathway. Additional clinical details from screening to therapy could not be analyzed in this study.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Angela Salomon, Jody Boffa, Sizulu Moyo, Jeremiah Chikovore, Giorgia Sulis, Benjamin Daniels, Ada Kwan, Tsatsawani Mkhombo, Sarah Wu, Madhukar Pai, Amrita Daftary
Summary: There are concerns about inappropriate antimicrobial use, private healthcare costs, and TB diagnostic delay in the prescribing practices among private general practitioners for individuals with TB-like symptoms in South Africa.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Su Miin Ong, Ming Tsuey Lim, Seng Fah Tong, M. N. Kamaliah, Peter Groenewegen, Sheamini Sivasampu
Summary: Public and private sectors have different strengths in primary care service delivery. The government can leverage these strengths to strengthen services. Areas for improvement include seamless care strategies that promote good referral, feedback, and information continuity.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Rachael Taylor, Shamasunder Acharya, Martha Parsons, Ushank Ranasinghe, Kerry Fleming, Melissa L. Harris, Deniz Kuzulugil, Julie Byles, Annalise Philcox, Meredith Tavener, John Attia, Johanna Kuehn, Alexis Hure
Summary: This study investigates the impact of the Australian Diabetes Alliance Program (DAP) on general practitioners (GPs) in managing diabetes. Overall, GPs were supportive of the program and reported significant changes in their knowledge, skills, and approach to care. However, some GPs indicated that the program could be time consuming and more flexibility was needed.
BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Primary Health Care
Eoin Hurley, Laura L. Gleeson, Stephen Byrne, Elaine Walsh, Tony Foley, Kieran Dalton
Summary: This review presents the views of general practitioners (GPs) on pharmacist services in general practice worldwide for the first time. The inclusion of pharmacist services in the practice has potential benefits, but it is a complex process. This review provides insights into the thoughts of GPs on the matter and will be helpful for establishing or improving pharmacist services in the general practice environment.
Article
Primary Health Care
Hooi Min Lim, Swee Shiuan Wong, Kah Chun Yip, Felicia Wen Si Chang, Adrian Jian Zhi Chin, Chin Hai Teo, Adina Abdullah, Chirk Jenn Ng
Summary: This study aimed to examine the prevalence and factors associated with online health information-seeking behavior among primary care patients in Malaysia. The findings showed that 54.7% of the patients used the internet to search for health information. Higher education levels, longer duration of internet use, and higher eHealth literacy were significantly associated with online health information-seeking behavior. Patients had lower trust in websites and social media compared to healthcare professionals.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nur Sufiza Ahmad, Ernieda Hatah, Mohamad Ridha Jalil, Mohd Makmor-Bakry
Summary: The study found that consumers in Malaysia have good knowledge and attitudes towards medicine price transparency initiative, but their actual practices are still lacking. Factors such as gender, race, and out-of-pocket spending on medication can influence consumers' good practices towards price transparency.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Tanya Doherty, Geetesh Solanki, Emmanuelle Daviaud, Yvandi Bartmann, Anthony Hawkridge, Sue Fawcus
Summary: Researching the utilization of private general practitioners (GPs) contracted to provide caesarean delivery services in rural hospitals, this study aims to document their profile and outcomes, as well as stakeholder experiences. The findings suggest that private GPs can help fill gaps and expand quality care in rural public facilities.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Mat Nawi Zanaridah, Mohd Noor Norhayati, Zakaria Rosnani
Summary: The study aimed to assess the knowledge, practice, and attitudes of primary care practitioners in Selangor, Malaysia towards evidence-based medicine (EBM), as well as identify factors associated with its practice. Findings showed that while many physicians had suboptimal knowledge and low levels of practicing EBM, a majority had a neutral attitude towards it. Factors such as extensive work experience, quick access to online references on mobile phones, and a positive attitude were associated with EBM practice.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Charlotte Blease, John Torous, Zhiyong Dong, Gail Davidge, Catherine DesRoches, Anna Kharko, Andrew Turner, Ray Jones, Maria Hagglund, Brian McMillan
Summary: This study explores the experiences and opinions of GPs in England regarding patient access to their web-based health records. The majority of GPs expressed skepticism about the benefits of access for both patients and their practices.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Clare Macdonald, Becky MacGregor, Sarah Hillman, Christine MacArthur, Debra Bick, Beck Taylor
Summary: This qualitative systematic review aims to explore the views and experiences of general practitioners (GPs) regarding their role in postnatal care. The study findings indicate that GPs perceive postnatal care as an opportunity for relationship building and health promotion. Addressing organizational barriers can positively influence GPs' motivation to provide optimal care.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Janet M. Y. Cheung, Zoe Menczel Schrire, Melissa Aji, Matthew Rahimi, Helena Salomon, Iliana Doggett, Nicholas Glozier, Delwyn J. Bartlett, Keith Wong, Ronald R. Grunstein, Christopher J. Gordon
Summary: This study examined the attitudes and beliefs of primary care health providers in Australia towards digital health interventions (DHIs) for sleep and their implementation in practice. The results showed that while DHIs have the potential to improve care, there are still issues that need to be addressed, such as training, care pathways, and financial models.
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Aleksandra Vrkatic, Maja Grujicic, Jelena Jovicic-Bata, Budimka Novakovic
Summary: General practitioners need to have adequate nutritional knowledge, positive attitudes, and confidence to effectively provide nutritional counseling services. Studies show that GPs vary in their nutrition knowledge assessments and self-confidence in nutrition counseling skills, and face various barriers that impact their nutritional counseling practice. Health policies aimed at overcoming barriers and creating a supportive environment for GPs to implement nutrition counseling strategies efficiently are key to improving the quality and quantity of nutritional counseling.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jannik M. Tielker, Jan P. Weber, Steffen T. Simon, Claudia Bausewein, Stephanie Stiel, Nils Schneider
Summary: The study investigated the experiences, challenges, and perspectives of German GPs regarding end-of-life care during the first peak of the pandemic in spring 2020. Results showed that while most GPs believed that the quality of end-of-life care for patients was maintained during the pandemic, a significant proportion reported a decrease in quality. Changes in contact methods with patients, such as increased telephone contact and video consultations, were observed during the pandemic.
Review
Nursing
Amanda Fox, Ria Joseph, Lynda Cardiff, Debra Thoms, Patsy Yates, Lisa Nissen, Raymond Javan Chan
Summary: This study aims to explore the facilitators and barriers of nurse prescribing implementation and provide practical recommendations. Through a review of 39 articles, key issues in nurse prescribing implementation were identified, highlighting the need for thorough consideration before implementation.
JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING
(2022)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Holly Foot, Ian Scott, Nancy Sturman, Jennifer A. Whitty, Kylie Rixon, Luke Connelly, Ian Williams, Christopher Freeman
Summary: Pharmacist-led interventions with primary care physician communication are effective in reducing hospital readmissions, especially at 30 days follow-up.
RESEARCH IN SOCIAL & ADMINISTRATIVE PHARMACY
(2022)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nyasha Gondora, Sarah G. Versteeg, Caitlin Carter, Lisa D. Bishop, Beth Sproule, Dana Turcotte, Katelyn Halpape, Michael A. Beazely, Shelita Dattani, Mona Kwong, Lisa Nissen, Feng Chang
Summary: Pharmacists play a vital role in opioid stewardship, with interventions led by pharmacists or interdisciplinary teams showing improvements in outcome measures. They also contribute to community stakeholder education, policy and guideline setting, and risk assessment.
RESEARCH IN SOCIAL & ADMINISTRATIVE PHARMACY
(2022)
Article
Orthopedics
Kristin Graham, Lisa Matricciani, Helen Banwell, Saravana Kumar, Ryan Causby, Saraid Martin, Lisa Nissen
Summary: Non-medical prescribing is a potential healthcare reform strategy in Australia that could create efficiencies in the health system. Podiatrists, although well positioned to prescribe, face barriers to endorsement due to lack of government subsidy for scheduled medicines. Research found that most podiatrists prescribe for pain, inflammation, or infections, with few actually having endorsement to prescribe scheduled medicines. Various barriers, particularly related to training processes, exist in the current endorsement system for podiatrists.
JOURNAL OF FOOT AND ANKLE RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Nursing
Amanda Fox, Carla Thamm, Fiona Crawford-Williams, Ria Joseph, Lynda Cardiff, Debra Thoms, Lisa Nissen, Patsy Yates, Raymond Javan Chan
Summary: This study explores nurses' preferences for educational preparation and support in expanding nursing practice to include prescribing. The survey results indicate that most nurses prefer education delivered through a blended approach by health services and universities, along with support from authorized prescribers and multidisciplinary collaboration. Course accreditation and formal qualification are identified as the major factors influencing nurses' desire to undertake a specific program.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Marea Patounas, Esther T. L. Lau, Deborah Rigby, Vincent Chan, Lisa M. Nissen
Summary: This study aimed to develop and test an evaluation instrument for clinical Home Medicines Review (HMR) reports in Australia. The results showed that the HMR reports aligned with practice guidelines for some criteria, but there were still areas that did not meet the standards. Future research should be conducted on a larger scale to further investigate adherence to practice guidelines in clinical HMR report writing.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACY PRACTICE AND RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Pathology
Kar-Yan Su, Jie-Yi Koh Kok, Yie-Wei Chua, Shearn-Dior Ong, Hooi Leng Ser, Priyia Pusparajah, Pui San Saw, Bey Hing Goh, Wai-Leng Lee
Summary: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-derived lipid bilayers released by cells. Bacterial EVs (BEVs) have attracted interest as potential diagnostic markers due to their differential bacterial composition in biofluids between patients and healthy controls. This review outlines the commonly used approach for investigating BEVs in biofluids, including 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing, and discusses the potential of BEVs as biomarkers for various diseases.
EXPERT REVIEW OF MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Shakti Shrestha, Arjun Poudel, Ayda S. Forough, Kathryn J. Steadman, Lisa M. Nissen
Summary: This study reviewed deprescribing tools for older adults with limited life expectancy and assessed the rigor of their development and validation. The findings indicate that there is a limited number of consensus-validated deprescribing tools available for use in this population. These tools target specific disease medications or medication classes guided by the GRADE framework, or a list of medications irrespective of disease, developed using various approaches and validated using the Delphi method.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACY PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Shakti Shrestha, Arjun Poudel, Kathryn J. Steadman, Lisa M. Nissen
Summary: Developed and validated a Deprescribing Tool for Older People with Limited-life Expectancy (De-TOPPLE) through expert consensus and feedback. The tool addresses risk and benefit evaluation, distinguishing medication types, following deprescribing process, and stepwise approach. Version 1 of De-TOPPLE was developed after two rounds of the Delphi process.
BASIC & CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Pui San Saw, Nur Zahirah Balqis-Ali, Kia Fatt Quek, Badariah Ahmad, Weng Hong Fun, Sondi Sararaks, Shaun Wen Huey Lee
Summary: Despite advancements in person-centered implementation, this study aims to determine organizational actions to achieve a person-centered culture through conceptual mapping. A participatory, multi-staged, group concept-mapping approach was employed involving healthcare managers in Malaysia. The generated cluster labels include multidisciplinary team, training and education, service user empowerment, and quality assurance. Strategies involving extending professional activities and training healthcare providers were rated as most important and feasible, but additional resources are needed to avoid increasing workload.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Judith A. A. Singleton, Esther T. -L. Lau, Lisa M. M. Nissen
Summary: This study aimed to investigate waste disposal behaviors in a hospital pharmacy department. Bin audits revealed recyclable waste percentages ranging from 4.9% to 36.1% in the clinical waste stream, and from 14.3% to 44.4% in the general waste stream. Lack of recycling bins in the main dispensing areas and confusion over the correct disposal of original containers and non-contaminated packaging waste were identified as reasons for poor waste segregation. Provision of commingled recycling bins and education on waste segregation processes can improve waste management in hospital pharmacy departments.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACY PRACTICE AND RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jean Spinks, Richard Violette, Douglas I. R. Boyle, Dennis Petrie, Laura Fanning, Kerry K. Hall, Fiona Kelly, Amanda J. Wheeler, Robert S. Ware, Joshua Byrnes, Esa Chen, Andrew Donald, Nicolette Ellis, Megan DelDot, Lisa Nissen
Summary: The ACTMed program aims to use information technology and financial incentives to encourage collaboration between pharmacists and general practitioners, thereby reducing the risk of medication-related problems and improving the quality and efficiency of healthcare services.
MEDICAL JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIA
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Danielle Mazza, Anisa Rojanapenkul Assifi, Safeera Yasmeen Hussainy, Deborah Bateson, Stefanie Johnston, Jane Tomnay, Jessica Kasza, Jody Church, Luke E. Grzeskowiak, Lisa Nissen, Sharon Tracey Cameron
Summary: The ALLIANCE trial aims to compare the subsequent uptake of effective contraception in women seeking emergency contraceptive pills or medical abortion medicines who receive the ALLIANCE community pharmacy-based intervention with those who do not receive the intervention.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Vivienne Mak, Daniel Malone, Nilushi Karunaratne, Wendy Yao, Lauren Randell, Thao Vu
Summary: This study explored the use of a video-based reflective design to prepare first-year pharmacy students for clinical examinations. The results showed that the use of video recordings and reflections improved students' performance, and they acquired metacognitive skills and learning strategies through the self-assessment of their videos.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Vivienne Mak, Sunanthiny Krishnan, Sara Chuang
Summary: Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) are commonly used in healthcare education. This study evaluated second-year pharmacy students' and examiners' experiences of their first virtual OSCEs in Australia using a mixed-method design. The majority of students preferred the virtual experience, but face-to-face OSCEs were still considered important and irreplaceable.