Exploring the Evolving Role of Pharmaceutical Services in Community Pharmacies: Insights from the USA, England, and Portugal.

Chronic diseases are a leading cause of death worldwide and have a significant negative impact on public health, overall well-being, national economies, and the long-term sustainability of already burdened health systems. In addressing some of the current health challenges, the contribution of pharmacists and community pharmacies is of particular significance. Pharmacists play a vital role in the medication use process, enhancing the efficacy of pharmacological interventions and facilitating the delivery of health services.

Assessing Type 2 Diabetes Risk in the Post-Pandemic Era: A Pharmacy-Led FINDRISC Screening Study.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major global health issue, with type 2 diabetes (T2D) accounting for over 90% of cases. Community pharmacies, given their accessibility, are well positioned to assist in early detection and management of T2D. This study evaluated post-pandemic T2D risk in a Portuguese population using the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC) across five community pharmacies.

Infection in Hospitalized Patients-A Retrospective Epidemiological Study.

infection (CDI) is the main source of healthcare and antibiotic-associated diarrhea in hospital context and long-term care units, showing significant morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological context, describing the severity and outcomes of this event in patients admitted to our hospital, thus confirming the changing global epidemiological trends in comparison with other cohorts. We conducted a single-center, observational, and retrospective study at the Hospital do Espírito Santo (HESE), Évora, in Portugal, analyzing the incidence of CDI in patients meeting eligibility criteria from January to December 2018.

Identification of an oncological clinical pathway through questionnaires to health professionals.

Background: Clinical Pathways in Oncology can benefit patients using organized interventions to standardize and increase care efficiency. Healthcare systems should have tools to identify their oncological clinical pathways for a better institutional organization to reduce mortality rates and contain costs without compromising quality. Our objective is to determine the regional Oncology Clinical Pathway from a first basic hypothesis using questionnaires directed to healthcare professionals considered key deciders within the Pathway.

The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Oncology Patient Management.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way cancer patients should be managed. Using published literature on best practices on oncology patient management, we developed checklists to establish which recommendations were followed and differences between healthcare staff and institutions in a local health unit (overseeing two regional hospitals and 14 primary Healthcare Centers) in an interior region in Portugal. Checklists were delivered and completed by 15 physicians, 18 nurses and 5 pharmacists working at the Hospitals, and 29 physicians and 46 nurses from primary healthcare centers.