Patient's General Perception and Attitude toward Pharmacists in Saudi Arabia

Purpose: To explore the patient’s perception and attitude toward pharmacists in Saudi Arabia. Methods: It is a 4-month cross-sectional survey of patient perception of pharmacists. The survey consisted of 49 questions divided in two parts: the first part collects demographic information and the second part contains questions on 4 domains: (1) patient general perception of pharmacist, (2) patients perception of pharmaceutical care services, (3) patient perception of visiting ambulatory care, (4) patient’s perception of pharmacist’s relationship and counseling. The 5-point Likert response scale system was used. The questions were open and closed-ended. The survey was distributed through social media at a 500-bed general hospital in Alhassa region, an ambulatory care pharmacy. The authors interviewed the patients with an electronic survey documentation. The survey was in an electronic format and it analyze domain one primary or necessary information about patient medication through the survey monkey system. Results: A total of 617 patients responded to the survey. Of them, 536 (87.7%) were Saudi and 75 (12.3%) were non-Saudi nationals. There were 457 (74.1%) female and 160 (25.9%) male responders. In the past 12 months, most of the patients [222 (36%)] visited the pharmacy more than 10 times, whereas the others [122 (19.8%)] visited the pharmacy at least 5–9 times. Most of the patients 481 (83.5%) spent less than 11 min with the pharmacist. The highest score was obtained for the statements related to pharmacy job vital in our society (4.63), the pharmacist had a very significant role in preventing medication errors (4.4), the necessity of present pharmacist schools (4.09) and the pharmacist is the first person ask him about drugs (4.01). More 60% of responders will choose the pharmacy as professional specialty or suggest the family members or friend select the pharmacy professional. The pharmacist shared in public education through the television and media (3.7) and newspaper (3.65) followed by schools (3.56) and public education exhibitors (3.48). Most of the patients visited the pharmacist to seek help in health diseases 429 (73.1%), the pharmacist knows more about drug doses and adverse drug reaction 224 (38.16%, followed by free consultation and 166 (28.28%) and no need for an appointment for pharmacy visit. Also, the patient refused to utilize the pharmacy just for cosmetics 404 (67%). Conclusion: According to our results, patient’s perception during pharmacy visit was found to be acceptable. Majority of patients had a good perception of a pharmacist and his role with patients and the general public. The pharmacist should expand pharmaceutical care services overall healthcare institutions in Saudi Arabia.

Patient's Perception of Pharmaceutical Care Services; Challenges and Improving in Saudi Arabia

Purpose: To explore the patient’s perception of Pharmaceutical care services; challenges and developments in Saudi Arabia. Methods: It is a 4-months cross-sectional survey of patient perception of pharmacists. The survey consisted of two-part demographic information and second part forty-nine questions divided into four domains. It included domain 1: Patient general perception of pharmacist domain 2: patients’ perception of pharmaceutical care services, domain 3: patient perception of visiting ambulatory care and domain 4: Patient’s perception of the pharmacist’s relationship and counseling. The 5-point likert response scale system was used. The questions were open and closed-ended. The survey was distributed through social media and as a 500-bed general hospital in Alhassa region, an ambulatory care pharmacy. The authors did the patients interview with electronic survey documentation. The survey was made an electronic format and it analyzed domain two about patient perception of pharmaceutical care services; challenges and developments in Saudi Arabia through the survey monkey system. Results: The total responders were 617 patients. Of those, 536 (87.7%) was Saudi and 75 (12.3%) was non-Saudi. The gender distribution 457 (74.1%) were females and 160 (25.9%) were males. The majority of patients visited the pharmacy in the past 12-months was 222 (36%) more than ten times while 122 (19.8%) attended (5-9 times). Most of the patient visited the pharmacy at evening 395 (64.6%). Most of the patients’ 481 (83.5%) spent less than 11 min with the pharmacist. The most pharmaceutical care services provided to patients were dispensing of prescribed medication 390 (70.8%), medication consultation 262 (47.5%), dispensing of non-medications, supplements 233 (42.3%) and dispensing of over the counter medications 229 (41.6%). The high scores of the pharmaceutical care services provide to the patients were in private’s hospitals (3.71) and community pharmacies (3.63). The most current experience of perception and challenges with high propriety scores were some pharmacy crowding, medication labels missed and patient privacy missed. The most future perception suggestion with high propriety and opportunity scores were published the pharmacy location through social media and implementation of adverse drug reaction reporting for patients. Conclusion: Patients’ perception is a crucial tool to improve pharmaceutical care. Monitor implementation of the patient medication education system with private places, monitoring of drug-related problems will support the future vision of patient perception and attitude towards the pharmacist.

National Medication Utilization Evaluation Program in Saudi Arabia

The national Medication Utilization Evaluation Program at the Ministry of health in Saudi Arabia with complimentary of physician order techniques is new system founded in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The programming part of pharmacy strategic planning and national pharmacy practice at health care services at the Ministry of health. The Medication Utilization Evaluation program started with evidence-based medicine guidelines. The new project of Medication Utilization Evaluation physician order was one the outcome of the program. The program steps development through central committee by Pharmacy department at the most prominent hospital crossover regions in Saudi Arabia. The project is complementary of pharmaceutical concept and alerting system of misuse of medications and subsequences medication-related problems and avoids the unnecessary economic burden on the healthcare system. The new national Medication Utilization Evaluation project is new in Saudi Arabia, Gulf, and Middle East counties.