Diabetes-Related Healthcare Services in Nepal-A Qualitative Exploration of Healthcare Professionals' Opinions.

Healthcare professionals' level of engagement in diabetes care and their perceptions of challenges to effective diabetes care are key indicators impacting diabetes management. This study investigated diabetes-related healthcare services provided in Nepal, and explored healthcare professionals' opinions of the barriers to, and strategies for, effective diabetes care. In-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted with thirty healthcare professionals providing healthcare or medication-related services to patients with type 2 diabetes within Kathmandu Valley. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. Participants were physicians, dieticians, nurses and pharmacy staff. Diabetes care services varied between healthcare institutions, between healthcare professionals and between patients, with the overall patient-care model reported as sub-optimal. Diabetes related services were mostly limited to physician-patient consultations. Only a few hospitals or clinics provided additional diabetes education classes, and individual dietician or nurse consultations. Limited collaboration, large patient-load and workforce shortages (particularly lack of diabetes educators) were reported as major issues affecting diabetes care. Regulatory measures to address healthcare system barriers were identified as potential facilitators for effective diabetes management. Whilst the findings are specific to Nepal, there are lessons to be learnt for other healthcare settings as the fundamental barriers to optimal diabetes care appear to be similar worldwide.

Evaluation of the impact of pharmacist-led medication reconciliation intervention: a single centre pre-post study from Ethiopia.

Background The role of pharmacists in medication reconciliation (MedRec) is highly acknowledged in many developed nations. However, the impact of this strategy has not been well researched in low-and-middle-income countries, including Ethiopia. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of pharmacist-led MedRec intervention on the incidence of unintentional medication discrepancies in Ethiopia. Setting Emergency department in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Ethiopia. Method A single centre, prospective, pre-post study was conducted on adults (aged 18 years or over) that had been hospitalized for at least 24 h and were taking at least 2 home medications on admission. The intervention involved assignment of a pharmacist to an emergency care team so as to take the best possible medication history and reconcile this list with the current medications in use. Main outcome measure Incidence and potential clinical severity of unintentional medication discrepancies. Results 123 patients were included (pre-intervention, 49; post-intervention, 74). The proportion of patients with at least one unintended discrepancy was reduced from 59 to 10.5% after the intervention (p < 0.001). Similarly, the percentage of patients with potentially severe clinical impact medication discrepancies reduced significantly after the intervention (p < 0.01). Most importantly, the likelihood of occurrence of unintentional medication discrepancies was approximately 17 times more often in the absence of pharmacist intervention (OR 16.45, 95% CI 5.22, 51.85). Conclusion This study has found that pharmacist-led MedRec intervention was impactful, and it was able to minimize the incidence of unintentional medication discrepancies significantly.

Barriers and facilitators to hospital pharmacists' engagement in medication safety activities: a qualitative study using the theoretical domains framework.

BACKGROUND: Hospital pharmacists play a central role in medication safety activities. However, in Ethiopia, this role has been launched recently and little is known regarding the current status of this extended service. Using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), we aimed to identify the barriers and facilitators to hospital pharmacists' engagement in medication safety activities across various public hospitals in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. METHODS: Eight focus group discussions, using an interview guide that was drawn upon the TDF, were conducted with 44 hospital pharmacists to explore their beliefs regarding their involvement in clinical services. Group discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using directed content analysis based on the TDF. Relevant domains were identified by applying relevance criteria to each of the domains in the TDF. RESULTS: Content analysis revealed six domains that influence hospital pharmacists' engagement in medication safety activities. These domains included 'Knowledge', 'Skills', 'Environmental context and resources', 'Motivations and goals', 'Social influences' and 'Social/professional role'. Most hospital pharmacists believed knowledge gap was an issue, as was the lack of training and supportive skills although some expressed as they were competent enough for their skills in identifying medication related problems. Most participants were very much enthusiastic for their extended roles and were positive towards the future of the profession; however, competing priorities along with the lack of remuneration and awareness (of other health care professionals) regarding the profession's role were barriers to service delivery. There were also a number of resource constraints, such as staffing, infrastructure and government funding, and acceptance rate of pharmacist's recommendation that were likely to influence the clinical practice of pharmacists. CONCLUSION: Using the TDF, this study identified a wide range of barriers and facilitators to hospital pharmacists' engagement in medication safety activities in resource-limited settings. There existed considerable interrelationships between domains that were perceived to influence hospital pharmacists' behaviours, and this may assist in designing behaviour change interventions that target common behavioural domains.

Nepalese patients' anti-diabetic medication taking behaviour: an exploratory study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore anti-diabetic medication taking behaviour in Nepalese patients with type 2 diabetes and investigate the factors impacting medication taking in this population. DESIGN: Face-to-face interviews (n = 48) were conducted with Nepalese patients with type 2 diabetes in Sydney (Australia) and Kathmandu (Nepal). All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. Participants' medication adherence was also assessed quantitatively using the summary of diabetes self-care activity (SDSCA) questionnaire. RESULTS: The medication taking behaviour of Nepalese participants aligned with the Stages of Change Model, with some notable patterns of behaviour. Most participants initiated and implemented anti-diabetic medications soon after obtaining their prescription. However, a few, delayed initiation and/or ceased medications after initiation to recommence later. Nonetheless, upon recommencement, participants persisted fairly well with their medications. The self-reported medication adherence was high (97.3%). Although some participants expressed adherence as a challenge at the start of therapy, medication taking on a day-to-day basis was not reported as difficult. Factors such as participants' reluctance towards using medications and preference for natural methods of treatment, together with inadequate understanding about diabetes and treatment resulted in the delay in initiating therapy, and contributed to cessation of therapy. On the other hand, ooccasional non-adherence in daily medication taking was mostly related to inconsistency in meal practices and forgetfulness. Encouragement from doctors and increased awareness about the disease and treatment facilitated medication adherence, including initiation of therapy. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that Nepalese patients are likely to delay or cease anti-diabetic medications until they fully accept and acknowledge the benefits and necessity of medications for effective diabetes management. Thus, educating patients about the need for medications, as well as implementing strategies to address patients' psychological resistance towards medications will be essential for effective medication management.

Adverse Drug Events and Medication Errors in African Hospitals: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Medication errors and adverse drug events are universal problems contributing to patient harm but the magnitude of these problems in Africa remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to systematically investigate the literature on the extent of medication errors and adverse drug events, and the factors contributing to medication errors in African hospitals. METHODS: We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and Global Health databases from inception to 31 August, 2017 and hand searched the reference lists of included studies. Original research studies of any design published in English that investigated adverse drug events and/or medication errors in any patient population in the hospital setting in Africa were included. Descriptive statistics including median and interquartile range were presented. RESULTS: Fifty-one studies were included; of these, 33 focused on medication errors, 15 on adverse drug events, and three studies focused on medication errors and adverse drug events. These studies were conducted in nine (of the 54) African countries. In any patient population, the median (interquartile range) percentage of patients reported to have experienced any suspected adverse drug event at hospital admission was 8.4% (4.5-20.1%), while adverse drug events causing admission were reported in 2.8% (0.7-6.4%) of patients but it was reported that a median of 43.5% (20.0-47.0%) of the adverse drug events were deemed preventable. Similarly, the median mortality rate attributed to adverse drug events was reported to be 0.1% (interquartile range 0.0-0.3%). The most commonly reported types of medication errors were prescribing errors, occurring in a median of 57.4% (interquartile range 22.8-72.8%) of all prescriptions and a median of 15.5% (interquartile range 7.5-50.6%) of the prescriptions evaluated had dosing problems. Major contributing factors for medication errors reported in these studies were individual practitioner factors (e.g. fatigue and inadequate knowledge/training) and environmental factors, such as workplace distraction and high workload. CONCLUSION: Medication errors in the African healthcare setting are relatively common, and the impact of adverse drug events is substantial but many are preventable. This review supports the design and implementation of preventative strategies targeting the most likely contributing factors.

Blood glucose monitoring in type 2 diabetes - Nepalese patients' opinions and experiences.

BACKGROUND: Blood glucose monitoring forms a vital component of diabetes care. Monitoring conducted at home using glucometers, and in laboratories by professionals, are two common methods of blood glucose monitoring in clinical practice. OBJECTIVE: To investigate Nepalese patients' perceptions and practices of blood glucose monitoring in diabetes. METHODS: In-depth interviews were conducted with 48 Nepalese participants with type 2 diabetes in Sydney and Kathmandu. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. RESULTS: In Australia, most participants perceived home monitoring as useful; and both home and laboratory monitoring were conducted at fairly regular intervals. In Nepal, only a small number conducted home monitoring and the laboratory method formed the primary method of day-to-day monitoring. The laboratory method was preferred due to easy access to laboratories, lack of faith in glucometers and perceptions that home monitoring is costlier. However, overall monitoring was irregular in Nepal. In addition to the healthcare system which enabled cheaper self-monitoring in Australia, Nepalese in Australia also tended to have a better understanding about the purpose of home monitoring. CONCLUSIONS: This study has highlighted the disparity in perceptions and practices related to blood glucose monitoring. Understanding the importance of blood glucose monitoring and access to affordable resources are critical facilitators for conducting regular monitoring. Both patient and health-system factors play a key role in ensuring continued diabetes monitoring and management.

Perceived impact of Nepalese food and food culture in diabetes.

Consuming a healthy diet forms an important component of diabetes management; however, adhering to a healthy diet is challenging. Dietary behaviour is often guided by socio-cultural, environmental and emotional factors, and not necessarily by physical and nutritional needs. This study explored Nepalese patients' perceptions of the impact of diet, diet management requirement for diabetes and how Nepalese food culture in particular influenced diet management. Interviews were conducted with Nepalese participants with type 2 diabetes in Sydney and Kathmandu; and data was thematically analysed. Diet was recognized as a cause of, and a key treatment modality, in diabetes. Besides doctors, participants in Nepal received a large amount of dietary information from the community. Dietary changes formed a major component of lifestyle modifications adopted after diagnosis, and mostly consisted of removal of foods with added sugar and foods with high total sugar content from the diet, and a reduction in overall quantity of foods consumed. Perceived dietary restriction requirements created social and emotional discomfort to patients. Most participants perceived the Nepalese food culture as a barrier to effective diet management. Meals high in carbohydrates, limited food choices, and food preparation methods were identified as barriers, particularly in Nepal. In Australia, participants reported greater availability and easier access to appropriate food, and healthier cooking options. The socio-cultural aspects of food behaviour, mainly, food practices during social events were identified as significant barriers. Although diet was acknowledged as an important component of diabetes care, and most adopted changes in their diet post-diagnosis, effective and sustained changes were difficult to achieve. Future public health campaigns and education strategies should focus on improving diet knowledge, awareness of food options for diabetes, and effective dietary management.

Medication reconciliation as a medication safety initiative in Ethiopia: a study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Medication related adverse events are common, particularly during transitions of care, and have a significant impact on patient outcomes and healthcare costs. Medication reconciliation (MedRec) is an important initiative to achieve the Quality Use of Medicines, and has been adopted as a standard practice in many developed countries. However, the impact of this strategy is rarely described in Ethiopia. The aims of this study are to explore patient safety culture, and to develop, implement and evaluate a theory informed MedRec intervention, with the aim of minimising the incidence of medication errors during hospital admission. METHODS AND ANALYSES: The study will be conducted in a resource limited setting. There are three phases to this project. The first phase is a mixed methods study of healthcare professionals' perspectives of patient safety culture and patients' experiences of medication related adverse events. In this phase, the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture will be used along with semi-structured indepth interviews to investigate patient safety culture and experiences of medication related adverse events. The second phase will use a semi-structured interview guide, designed according to the 12 domains of the Theoretical Domains Framework, to explore the barriers and facilitators to medication safety activities delivered by hospital pharmacists. The third phase will be a single centre, before and after study, that will evaluate the impact of pharmacist conducted admission MedRec in an emergency department (ED). The main outcome measure is the incidence and potential clinical severity of medication errors. We will then analyse the differences in the incidence and severity of medication errors before and after initiation of an ED pharmacy service.

Nepalese patients' perceptions of treatment modalities for type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Perceptions and beliefs about treatment can influence patients' adherence to treatment regimens. Perceptions, in turn, are often shaped by patients' sociocultural context. Nepal and the Nepalese have unique sociocultural traditions and beliefs, and their perceptions of diabetes treatment remain largely unexplored. This study explored Nepalese participants' perceptions of diabetes treatment, and whether perceptions differed between the Nepalese living in Australia and Nepal. METHODS: Face-to-face qualitative interviews (n=48) were conducted with Nepalese participants with type 2 diabetes in Sydney and Kathmandu. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analyzed. RESULTS: Perceptions of diabetes treatment were similar among Nepalese participants in Australia and Nepal. There was a general reluctance to start oral antidiabetic medications and an even greater reluctance to commence parenteral (insulin) therapy. Participants preferred to try lifestyle modifications and alternative treatments such as herbs and "traditional" medicines, particularly as a first step. Unwillingness to take medications was primarily associated with the belief that, once started, these medications needed to be taken for life, and perceptions of long-term harms caused by such medications. Even when commenced on medication, participants were averse to any type of therapy escalation, for example, moving to insulin therapy. Insulin was perceived as the "last option" available for diabetes treatment. Most participants, however, did not find medication taking challenging once they had commenced treatment. CONCLUSION: Antidiabetic medications were perceived to be harmful and unstoppable once initiated. These perceptions significantly impacted participants' willingness to commence antidiabetic medications and therefore have the potential to adversely affect their medication-taking behavior. This study therefore highlights the need to explore the impact of these perceptions on participants' medication-taking behavior, and the need to address patients' views of "modern" (commonly prescribed) and "traditional" (natural) medications through information and education, to ensure increased understanding of how medications are used for diabetes management.

Impact of electronic medication reconciliation interventions on medication discrepancies at hospital transitions: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Medication reconciliation has been identified as an important intervention to minimize the incidence of unintentional medication discrepancies at transitions in care. However, there is a lack of evidence for the impact of information technology on the rate and incidence of medication discrepancies identified during care transitions. This systematic review was thus, aimed to evaluate the impact of electronic medication reconciliation interventions on the occurrence of medication discrepancies at hospital transitions. METHODS: Systematic literature searches were performed in MEDLINE, PubMed, CINHAL, and EMBASE from inception to November, 2015. We included published studies in English that evaluated the effect of information technology on the incidence and rate of medication discrepancies compared with usual care. Cochrane's tools were used for assessment of the quality of included studies. We performed meta-analyses using random-effects models. RESULTS: Ten studies met our inclusion criteria; of which only one was a randomized controlled trial. Interventions were carried out at various hospital transitions (admission, 5; discharge, 2 and multiple transitions, 3 studies). Meta-analysis showed a significant reduction of 45 % in the proportion of medications with unintentional discrepancies after the use of electronic medication reconciliation (RR 0.55; 95 % CI 0.51 to 0.58). However, there was no significant reduction in either the proportion of patients with medication discrepancies or the mean number of discrepancies per patient. Drug omissions were the most common types of unintended discrepancies, and with an electronic tool a significant but heterogeneously distributed reduction of omission errors over the total number of medications reconciled have been observed (RR 0.20; 95 % CI 0.06 to 0.66). The clinical impact of unintended discrepancies was evaluated in five studies, and there was no potentially fatal error identified and most errors were minor in severity. CONCLUSION: Medication reconciliation supported by an electronic tool was able to minimize the incidence of medications with unintended discrepancy, mainly drug omissions. But, this did not consistently reduce other process outcomes, although there was a lack of rigorous design to conform these results.

Pharmacy-led medication reconciliation programmes at hospital transitions: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Medication reconciliation is recognized as an important tool for the prevention of medication discrepancies and subsequent patient harm at care transitions. However, there is inconclusive evidence as to the impact of medication reconciliation at hospital transitions overall, as well as pharmacy-led medication reconciliation services. This review sought to evaluate the impact of pharmacy-led medication reconciliation interventions on medication discrepancies at hospital transitions and to categorize these interventions as single transition interventions or multiple transitions interventions. METHODS: PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, IPA, CINHAL and PsycINFO databases, inclusive from inception to December 2014, were searched. Included studies were published studies in English that compared the effectiveness of pharmacy-led medication reconciliation interventions to usual care and that aimed to assess medication discrepancies at hospital transitions. 'Usual care' was defined as any care where targeted medication reconciliation was not undertaken as an intervention, or if an intervention was conducted, it was not provided by a pharmacist/pharmacy technician. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Nineteen studies which involved a total of 15 525 adult patients were included. Eleven studies were randomized controlled trials. Overall, pharmacy-led medication reconciliation intervention usually revealed a trend towards reduction in medication discrepancies, compared with usual care. Seventeen studies involving 18 medication reconciliation interventions targeting the various transitions (admission, 9; discharge, 4; and multiple transitions, 5) were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with usual care, single medication reconciliation interventions at transitions in care (either admission or discharge) showed a significant reduction of 66% in patients with medication discrepancies (RR 0·34; 95% CI: 0·23-0·50) in favour of the intervention. There was no difference between groups for interventions targeting multiple transitions (RR 0·88; 95% CI: 0·77-1·02). Subgroup analyses confined to RCTs showed that there were no differences for target of transition (admission vs. discharge), type of intervention (multifaceted intervention vs. medication reconciliation) and setting (single centre vs. multicentre), nor pharmacists vs. pharmacy technicians (non-RCTs only). Importantly, medication discrepancies of higher clinical impact were more easily identified through pharmacy-led interventions than with usual care. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: Pharmacy-led medication reconciliation interventions were found to be an effective strategy to reduce medication discrepancies, and had a greater impact when conducted at either admission or discharge but were less effective during multiple transitions in care. Further studies that are designed to assess the impact of the involvement of pharmacy technicians in medication reconciliation are also needed.

Effectiveness of pharmacist-led medication reconciliation programmes on clinical outcomes at hospital transitions: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Pharmacists play a role in providing medication reconciliation. However, data on effectiveness on patients' clinical outcomes appear inconclusive. Thus, the aim of this study was to systematically investigate the effect of pharmacist-led medication reconciliation programmes on clinical outcomes at hospital transitions. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, IPA, CINHAL and PsycINFO from inception to December 2014. Included studies were all published studies in English that compared the effectiveness of pharmacist-led medication reconciliation interventions to usual care, aimed at improving medication reconciliation programmes. Meta-analysis was carried out using a random effects model, and subgroup analysis was conducted to determine the sources of heterogeneity. RESULTS: 17 studies involving 21,342 adult patients were included. Eight studies were randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Most studies targeted multiple transitions and compared comprehensive medication reconciliation programmes including telephone follow-up/home visit, patient counselling or both, during the first 30 days of follow-up. The pooled relative risks showed a more substantial reduction of 67%, 28% and 19% in adverse drug event-related hospital revisits (RR 0.33; 95% CI 0.20 to 0.53), emergency department (ED) visits (RR 0.72; 95% CI 0.57 to 0.92) and hospital readmissions (RR 0.81; 95% CI 0.70 to 0.95) in the intervention group than in the usual care group, respectively. The pooled data on mortality (RR 1.05; 95% CI 0.95 to 1.16) and composite readmission and/or ED visit (RR 0.95; 95% CI 0.90 to 1.00) did not differ among the groups. There was significant heterogeneity in the results related to readmissions and ED visits, however. Subgroup analyses based on study design and outcome timing did not show statistically significant results. CONCLUSION: Pharmacist-led medication reconciliation programmes are effective at improving post-hospital healthcare utilisation. This review supports the implementation of pharmacist-led medication reconciliation programmes that include some component aimed at improving medication safety.

A Systematic Review of Interventions Addressing Adherence to Anti-Diabetic Medications in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes--Components of Interventions.

BACKGROUND: Poor adherence to anti-diabetic medications contributes to suboptimal glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). A range of interventions have been developed to promote anti-diabetic medication adherence. However, there has been very little focus on the characteristics of these interventions and how effectively they address factors that predict non-adherence. In this systematic review we assessed the characteristics of interventions that aimed to promote adherence to anti-diabetic medications. METHOD: Using appropriate search terms in Medline, Embase, CINAHL, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (IPA), PUBmed, and PsychINFO (years 2000-2013), we identified 52 studies which met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Forty-nine studies consisted of patient-level interventions, two provider-level interventions, and one consisted of both. Interventions were classified as educational (n = 7), behavioural (n = 3), affective, economic (n = 3) or multifaceted (a combination of the above; n = 40). One study consisted of two interventions. The review found that multifaceted interventions, addressing several non-adherence factors, were comparatively more effective in improving medication adherence and glycaemic target in patients with T2D than single strategies. However, interventions with similar components and those addressing similar non-adherence factors demonstrated mixed results, making it difficult to conclude on effective intervention strategies to promote adherence. Educational strategies have remained the most popular intervention strategy, followed by behavioural, with affective components becoming more common in recent years. Most of the interventions addressed patient-related (n = 35), condition-related (n = 31), and therapy-related (n = 20) factors as defined by the World Health Organization, while fewer addressed health care system (n = 5) and socio-economic-related factors (n = 13). CONCLUSION: There is a noticeable shift in the literature from using single to multifaceted intervention strategies addressing a range of factors impacting adherence to medications. However, research limitations, such as limited use of standardized methods and tools to measure adherence, lack of individually tailored adherence promoting strategies and variability in the interventions developed, reduce the ability to generalize the findings of the studies reviewed. Furthermore, this review highlights the need to develop multifaceted interventions which can be tailored to the individual patient's needs over the duration of their diabetes management.

Risk of bias in randomized trials of pharmacological interventions in children and adults.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether randomized controlled trials of pharmacologic interventions in children are more likely to be biased than similar trials in adults. STUDY DESIGN: Trials involving only children and published in MEDLINE between January 2008 and October 2009 (n=100) were randomly selected and matched, by drug class and therapeutic area, with a similar trial completed in adults. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to compare the pediatric and adult trials. RESULTS: The characteristics of adult and pediatric trials included were similar, except that adult studies were more likely to be conducted in Europe and published in specialty journals. Two-thirds of all trials were single center, and 62% had 100 or fewer participants. Many trials had an unclear risk of bias for allocation concealment (65% adult, 52% pediatric). More pediatric trials had a low risk of bias for random sequence generation (59% pediatric, 41% adult, P=.002) and blinding of outcome assessment (63% pediatric, 48% adult, P=.04) than adult trials; however, a sensitivity analysis of trials published since 2008 (and so matched by year of publication) did not confirm this finding, suggesting year of publication was an important confounder. CONCLUSIONS: When randomized controlled trials are matched for drug class and therapeutic area, trials involving children display a similar risk of bias. Differences in the risk of bias between pediatric and adult trials are not caused by differences in the capacity of researchers to conduct and report trials of high quality.

A national study of the processes and outcomes of paediatric formulary applications in Australia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the processes by which pharmaceuticals are added to the formularies of Australian paediatric hospitals. DESIGN: Descriptive study of the processes and outcomes of all submissions to Australian paediatric hospital drug and therapeutics committees from 1 July 2010 to 31 December 2011. SETTING: All eight tertiary paediatric hospitals in Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Interviews with committee secretaries or delegates and document analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Total number of formulary applications, stratified by therapeutic class, approval rates for each hospital and quality of supporting information. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty applications were considered during the study period, with most applications approved (range, 67%-100%). Neurological agents were the most common therapeutic class considered. A conflict of interest was declared for 10 applications (8%). Forty-five (38%) were independently reviewed by a statewide medicines advisory committee or hospital pharmacist. Several committees approved identical applications during the period of review and with different outcomes. For applications submitted for new drugs or new indications (95 applications), supporting data included randomised controlled trials (37/95), case series (36/95), product information (34/95) and narrative reviews (29/95). Few applications (14/95) included a systematic review or meta-analysis. No application included an evaluation of the risk of bias of supporting studies. CONCLUSIONS: There is limited high-quality evidence informing paediatric hospital-based drug approvals. Approval processes vary considerably among institutions with substantial duplication of effort and variable outcomes. Resources and training appear insufficient given the technical complexity of submissions. A national, standardised approach to hospital-based drug evaluation could reduce overlap and improve decision making.

A qualitative study of Swedes' opinions about shared electronic health records.

European countries are world-leading in the development and implementation of e-Health. In Sweden, all primary healthcare centres and most hospitals use digital records. Some regions use the same software which allows for clinical information to be shared (regionally shared EHRs), but there is a movement towards making all EHRs inter-operable to allow for a National Patient Summary (NPS). The aim of this study was to explore the opinions of Swedish consumers and health professionals about shared EHRs and the NPS. Semi-structered phone interviews were conducted with consumers and health professionals. The majority of interviewed health professionals were currently using regionally shared EHRs. In their experience, having access to regionally shared EHRs facilitated a holistic patient approach, assisted in patient follow-up, and reduced inappropriate (over)prescribing. Consumers had a poor level of knowledge about shared EHRs and the NPS. Unlike health professionals, consumers perceived a NPS to be of great value. The findings indicate that there was a discrepancy between health professionals and consumers' knowledge of, and the perceived need for, a NPS.

A qualitative study of Australians' opinions about personally controlled electronic health records.

BACKGROUND: A personally controlled electronic health record (PCEHR) system is being implemented in Australia. Every Australian that wants a PCEHR will be able to opt-in from July 2012. AIM: To explore the opinions of Australian consumers and healthcare providers about the PCEHR. METHODS: In this qualitative study, consumers and healthcare providers were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. RESULTS: Perceived benefits identified by participants regarding the PCEHR included instant access to clinical information, and safer and more efficient healthcare delivery. The risk of unauthorised access and breaches of privacy were some of the perceived drawbacks. Although consumers seemed unwilling to opt-in to have a PCEHR, the vast majority of healthcare providers were positive towards this development and predicted better and safer healthcare as a result. CONCLUSIONS: Consumers and healthcare providers appeared uniformed about the imminent PCEHR. The wide-spread unwillingness among participants to opt-in to have a PCEHR could potentially jeopardise successful implementation and uptake of this system. A well-designed system without security glitches and with individualised information from trusted healthcare providers regarding the benefits of having a PCEHR appears critical in engaging consumer opt-in.

Setting priorities for high-cost medications in public hospitals in Australia: should the public be involved?

AIM: To explore healthcare decision makers' perceptions about public involvement in setting priorities for high-cost medications (HCMs) in public hospitals in Australia. METHODS: In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 decision-makers (executive directors of hospitals, area health service managers, directors of hospital pharmacy departments and senior medical doctors) in a Sydney Area Health Service. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim, thematically content analysed and coded. RESULTS: The majority of participants perceived that the 'rationing debate' needs to happen in Australia. The community at large should be encouraged to understand that healthcare resources are limited and choices need to be made. The perspectives of the public, according to participants, were considered diverse (tax payers, patients, consumers). Owing to the complexities of the healthcare system, their involvement of the public in decision-making regarding access to HCMs in public hospitals was considered limited. For participants, the role of the public was likely to be at the macro level, deciding how much they were prepared to spend on healthcare. CONCLUSION: The role of the public in setting priorities for HCMs in public hospitals was perceived by these healthcare decision makers as limited. However since rationing is unavoidable, there should be an explicit debate about the principles and issues concerned.

Challenges in chronic illness management: a qualitative study of Australian pharmacists' perspectives.

OBJECTIVE: To explore pharmacists' views on managing patients with chronic illness; to understand the incentives and barriers they perceive and the solutions they propose to overcome these barriers. SETTING: Hospital pharmacists, with experience in managing people with chronic illnesses, working in western Sydney, Australia, were interviewed during June and July 2008. METHOD: A qualitative study involving group and individual interviews using a semi-structured interview guide. RESULTS: Hospital pharmacists identified lack of communication between different healthcare providers and with patients as a contributing factor to lack of continuity of care and this was perceived as a major barrier in managing patients with chronic illnesses. Pharmacists were also concerned about the effects of medication costs, and poor patient knowledge regarding their disease and medications, and the effects on adherence. Suggested solutions included taking a teamwork approach in the management of chronic illness and providing more information to patients to improve adherence. CONCLUSION: The identified incentives and barriers have provided valuable information on what pharmacists face in managing patients with chronic illness. Most of the solutions suggested by them have been tested and proven unsuccessful. Develop successful health policy to address the identified barriers remains a challenge.