Patient feedback on hospital pharmacists' consultation skills: A feasibility study using the Interpersonal Skills Questionnaire (ISQ).

Background: Improvement in practitioners' consultation skills (CSs) can be driven by patient feedback, however, to date, no study has been conducted with reference to pharmacy consultations. The Interpersonal Skills Questionnaire (ISQ) is potentially appropriate for collecting patient feedback on pharmacists' CSs. This study aims to explore the feasibility of collecting patient feedback on hospital pharmacists' CSs using the ISQ, to identify the acceptability of the feedback process, and to identify methods to enhance the process in the future.

Exploring the views of community pharmacists on patient feedback on their consultations.

Objectives: To explore community pharmacists' (CPs) views on patient feedback on their consultations.

Methods: The study was conducted at community pharmacies in the East of England. Pharmacists employed at a large multiple pharmacy were invited to a telephone/face-to-face interview.

COVID-19 Pandemic Challenges and Lessons Learned by Pharmacy Educators Around the Globe.

The coronavirus identified in 2019 (COVID-19) has affected peoples' lives worldwide. This pandemic forced both pharmacy faculty members and students to adapt to a new teaching and learning environment not only in the United States but around the globe. Pharmacy educators faced challenges and opportunities to convert classroom learning and experiences, as well as student assessments, to a remote or online format.

Clinical and cost effectiveness of a multi-professional medication reviews in care homes (CAREMED).

Objectives: With 70% of care home residents experiencing a medication error every day in the UK, better multi-professional working between medical practitioners, pharmacists and care homes was recommended. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness (falls reduction) and cost-effectiveness, of a multi-professional medication review (MPMR) service in care homes for older people.

Method: A total of care homes in the East of England were cluster randomised to 'usual care' or two multi-professional (General practitioner, clinical pharmacist and care homes staff) medication reviews during the 12-month trial period.

Patient feedback questionnaires to enhance consultation skills of healthcare professionals: A systematic review.

Objective: To identify patient feedback questionnaires that assess the development of consultation skills (CSs) of practitioners.

Methods: We conducted a systematic search using seven databases from inception to January 2017 to identify self-completed patient feedback questionnaires assessing and enhancing the development of CSs of individual practitioners. Results were checked for eligibility by three authors, and disagreements were resolved by discussion.

Development of a core outcome set for effectiveness trials aimed at optimising prescribing in older adults in care homes.

Background: Prescribing medicines for older adults in care homes is known to be sub-optimal. Whilst trials testing interventions to optimise prescribing in this setting have been published, heterogeneity in outcome reporting has hindered comparison of interventions, thus limiting evidence synthesis. The aim of this study was to develop a core outcome set (COS), a list of outcomes which should be measured and reported, as a minimum, for all effectiveness trials involving optimising prescribing in care homes.

The UK Pharmacy Care Plan service: Description, recruitment and initial views on a new community pharmacy intervention.

Introduction: The UK government advocates person-centred healthcare which is ideal for supporting patients to make appropriate lifestyle choices and to address non-adherence. The Community Pharmacy Future group, a collaboration between community pharmacy companies and independents in the UK, introduced a person-centred service for patients with multiple long-term conditions in 50 pharmacies in Northern England.

Objective: Describe the initial findings from the set up and delivery of a novel community pharmacy-based person-centred service.

The potential for deprescribing in care home residents with Type 2 diabetes.

Background Type 2 diabetes is a common diagnosis in care home residents that is associated with potentially inappropriate prescribing and thus risk of additional suffering. Previous studies found that diabetes medicines can be safely withdrawn in care home residents, encouraging further investigation of the potential for deprescribing amongst these patients. Objectives Describe comorbidities and medicine use in care home residents with Type 2 diabetes; identify number of potentially inappropriate medicines prescribed for these residents using a medicines optimisation tool; assess clinical applicability of the tool.

A drop-in clinic for patients with poorly-controlled diabetes: a community pharmacy feasibility study.

Background: Preparatory work suggests that there may be a role for the pharmacist in managing sub-optimal medication adherence and dose titration of prescribed medicines in patients with type 2 diabetes. Patients have reported that they are receptive towards pharmacists becoming involved in their care providing that this is integrated into the care received from their medical practice.

Objective: To determine whether a community pharmacy diabetes drop-in clinic is feasible and acceptable to patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes.

Impact of active monitoring on lithium management in Norfolk.

Background: Lithium has been used in the fields of rheumatology and psychiatry since the 1800s and it is now generally considered to be a gold standard treatment for bipolar disorders. However, lithium is known to have significant side effects and requires close serum level monitoring to ensure levels remain within the therapeutic range to minimize the risk of serious adverse effects or toxicity. This article reviews the monitoring of lithium and reports on the implementation of a regional lithium register and database within Norfolk.

The views of pharmacists who participated in a community pharmacy randomised controlled trial.

Objective: Examining case studies of research projects can prove useful to determine what design aspects can be changed to improve the robustness and feasibility of future projects.

Methods: Pharmacists who took part as research partners in a feasibility study of an eczema support service that failed to achieve its recruitment objectives were asked to attend a focus group to determine their views about factors that may have affected pharmacist recruitment rate.

Key Findings: Pharmacists expressed positive opinions about being involved in research in principle and remaining engaged for further projects.

An audit of prescribing for type 2 diabetes in primary care: optimising the role of the community pharmacist in the primary healthcare team.

The Government has identified that the pharmacist should have greater involvement in the management of long-term conditions. The aim of this audit was to determine the adherence to National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines for type 2 diabetes patients and identify whether there is a potential role for pharmacists in their long-term management. All prescribing, in 194 patients, was within guidance for anti-hyperglycaemics.

The current and future roles of community pharmacists: views and experiences of patients with type 2 diabetes.

Background: The current UK government agenda is for community pharmacists to assume greater responsibility for medication management in patients with chronic conditions. This agenda may require a significant change in the way patients currently interact with their community pharmacist.

Objectives: To explore the experiences and views of patients with type 2 diabetes regarding the current and proposed future role of community pharmacists.

A cost-consequences analysis of an adherence focused pharmacist-led medication review service.

Objectives: The aim of this project was to conduct an economic evaluation of the Norfolk Medicines Support Service (NMSS), a pharmacist-led medication review service for patients identified in primary care as non-adherent.

Methods: The cost-consequences analysis was based on a before and after evaluation of the NMSS. Participants completed a self-reported adherence and health-related quality of life questionnaire prior to the review, at 6 weeks and 6 months.

Does it matter whether the recipient of patient questionnaires in general practice is the general practitioner or an independent researcher? The REPLY randomised trial.

Background: Self-administered questionnaires are becoming increasingly common in general practice. Much research has explored methods to increase response rates but comparatively few studies have explored the effect of questionnaire administration on reported answers.

Methods: The aim of this study was to determine the effect on responses of returning patient questionnaires to the respondents' medical practice or an independent researcher to questions relating to adherence and satisfaction with a GP consultation.