RESUMEN
Glycemic control in diabetic patients is a challenging issue and requires pharmacist involvement in the patient care plan and patient's awareness to optimize diabetic regimen
Objectives: the aim of this study is to investigate the role of clinical pharmacist on glycemic control of diabetic patients by insulin therapy management in the endocrine outpatient clinic in a teaching hospital in Jordan
Method: this is a prospective, randomized controlled study carried out in the Endocrine-outpatient clinic in Jordan University Hospital [JUH]. Patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to intervention [n=50] or control group [n=50]. Newly diagnosed patients with [HbA1c > 10%]; or those who are diabetic with [HbA1c >7%] and taking insulin with or without oral hypoglycemic agents; or patient with [HbA1C > 7%] and on two or more oral hypoglycemic gents for >/= 6 months were recruited either in the intervention group or the control group. Follow up started concurrently with data collection; patients were followed up for 3 months after enrollment. During the first visit demographic data, history of diabetes and diabetes assessment, other chronic disease, anti-diabetic medications and current medications used, adherence to medications, diabetes life style adherence and baseline data for HbA1c, FBG and weight were obtained. Moreover, the patients' medical records were reviewed by the pharmacist to obtain other related information. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software version [17.0]. Glycosylated hemoglobin A1C [HbA1c], fasting blood glucose [FBG], frequency of hypoglycemic episodes and weight gain were measured
Results: 88 patients completed the study; clinical pharmacist interventions resulted in a significant reduction in HbA1c by 1% [p-value <0.001] and fasting blood sugar by [28.44+/-84.62] mg/dl compared to the baseline [p-value=0.029] with a statistically significant difference between both groups [p-value <0.05]. Insignificant difference in weight gain was found between the 2 groups [p-value = 0.117], but with higher significant weight increase in the intervention group from baseline [p-value=0.001]. Although hypoglycemic episodes frequency was significantly higher during the first month in the intervention group compared to the control group [p-value=0.016], none of these episodes required hospitalization
Conclusion: this study supports the role of clinical pharmacist in glycemic control in diabetic insulin users', in a country like Jordan in which clinical pharmacy practice is relatively new
RESUMEN
Pharmacists do have a unique opportunity to educate patients about their medications in order to identify, prevent and manage any potential problems they may have faced. This study aimed to characterize and evaluate the counseling behavior and content by pharmacists and pharmacy assistants in a sample of outpatient pharmacies in a teaching hospital in Jordan. The study was conducted in 6 outpatient pharmacies at the participating hospital; Endocrinology, Cardiology, Respiratory, Pediatrics, Family Medicine and Emergency staff. The study consisted of observing 60 patient-pharmacist/assistant interactions behaviors and counseling content [if exists] in 6 different outpatient pharmacies at the participating hospital. Observations were conducted by a trained researcher using a pre-validated and piloted data collection form. Out of the 60 observed interactions, only 18 interactions involved patient counseling, the type of which was both verbal and written. The initiator of counseling in 44.4% of the cases was the patient. More than 2/3 [70.0%] of provided information to patients in all interactions was conducted using written labels only. The overall observed rate of counseling at the participating hospital pharmacies is low. There is a need to train pharmacists to offer more counseling to patients and have better communication and counseling skills
RESUMEN
The purpose of this study is to evaluate parents' knowledge, attitudes and common practices about using overthe- counter [OTC medications for their children. This is a cross-sectional survey of parents attending outpatient pediatric clinic at King Abdullah University Hospital from March 2007 to June 2007. A total of 1490 questionnaires were filled, mostly by mothers [71.9%. More than half of parents indicated that they used at least one OTC medication for their child[ren within the previous month. The main reasons for use were: convenience and time savings. More than 90% of parents believed OTC medications were effective and safe. Most parents reported asking their pharmacist for advice regarding the OTC. Many participants were unaware of information needed for safe medication use. Parents' knowledge regarding OTC medication use is inadequate. Specific guidelines for appropriate use should be provided to parents to the prescribing physician, and dispensing pharmacist