Effectiveness of social giving on the engagement of pharmacy professionals with a computer-based education platform: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Computer-based education is gaining popularity in healthcare professional development education due to ease of distribution and flexibility. However, there are concerns regarding user engagement. This pilot study aims to: 1) assess the feasibility and acceptability of a social reward and the corresponding study design; and 2) to provide preliminary data on the impact of social reward on user engagement. METHODS: A mixed method study combing a four-month pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT), surveys and interviews. The RCT was conducted using a computer-based education platform. Participants in the intervention group had access to a social reward feature, where they earned one meal for donation when completing a quiz with a passing score. Participants in the control group did not have access to this feature. Feasibility and acceptability of the social reward were assessed using surveys and telephone interviews. Feasibility of the RCT was assessed by participant recruitment and retention. User engagement was assessed by number of quizzes and modules completed. RESULTS: A total of 30 pharmacy professionals were recruited with 15 users in each arm. Participants reported high acceptability of the intervention. The total number of quizzes completed by the intervention group was significantly higher compared to the control group (n = 267 quizzes Vs. n = 97 quizzes; p-value 0.023). CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates the feasibility and acceptability of a web-based trial with pharmacy professionals and the social reward intervention. It also shows that the social reward can improve user engagement. A future definitive RCT will explore the sustainability of the intervention.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Computer-Based Education Platform, Pharmacy5in5, on Pharmacists' Knowledge of Anticholinergic Toxicity Using a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Computer-based education has been widely implemented in healthcare professional development education. However, there has been little examination of the potential for computer-based education to enhance pharmacists' knowledge. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of computer-based education on improving pharmacists' knowledge compared to printed education material. METHODS: This study was a web-based randomized controlled trial. Participants were randomly allocated to either an intervention group where they had access to the computer-based education module on Pharmacy5in5.ca or to a control group where they had access to printed educational material. Knowledge gain was assessed using a pre- and post-knowledge test. RESULTS: A total of 120 pharmacists were recruited and 101 completed the post-knowledge test (50/60 in the intervention group; 51/60 in the control group). Both groups showed a significant increase in knowledge gain (intervention group: pre-test mean score 19.35 ± 3.56, post-test mean score 22.42 ± 3.812, p value < 0.001; control group pre-test mean score 19.22 ± 3.45, post-test mean score 23.29 ± 3.087, p value < 0.001). However, the difference in knowledge change was not significant between the two groups (22.42 vs. 23.29, p value = 0.333). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, a computer-based education module enhanced pharmacists' knowledge to a similar degree to printed education material. Efforts should be made to provide computer-based education as an option to support pharmacists' professional development.

Identifying barriers, facilitators and behaviour change techniques to the adoption of the full scope of pharmacy practice among pharmacy professionals: Using the Theoretical Domains Framework.

BACKGROUND: As pharmacy evolves, pharmacy professionals continue to struggle to practice to their full scope. A theoretically-informed intervention to change practice can support pharmacy professionals in providing full scope services. The Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) can inform the design of a behaviour change intervention to improve the uptake of full scope services among pharmacy professionals. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to: (1) identify barriers and facilitators influencing the adoption of full scope services among pharmacy professionals, and (2) identify optimal behaviour change techniques (BCTs) to address the identified barriers and facilitators. METHODS: A three-step, mixed method study was conducted. First, a 24-item TDF-based survey was sent via email to users of a national computer-based educational platform (n = 2696). Second, TDF-based interviews were conducted with a convenient sample of survey respondents and analyzed using the framework method. Finally, validated linkages were used to link BCTs with corresponding barriers and facilitators, then interview data were analyzed using a deductive approach to guide the selection of the BCTs. RESULTS: A total of 225 participants completed the survey and 24 telephone interviews were conducted (17 pharmacists, 7 pharmacy technicians). A number of key barriers were identified on an individual level (e.g., lack of clear professional identity and limited decision-making skills in ambiguous cases) and on an organizational level (e.g., lack of social support from managers and concerns about making more errors with the current workflow). Mapping the barriers and facilitators to BCTs yielded 18 BCTs to support the adoption of full scope services, including modeling, rehearsal/practice, and social support. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlighted several barriers that need to be addressed to facilitate pharmacy professionals working to their full scope, including professional collaboration, professional identity, and adequate training. A comprehensive intervention combining skills training with modeling, social support, and decision-making tools could encourage practice change.

Assessing pharmacists' knowledge and compliance with narcotic inventory management using a computer-based educational platform.

OBJECTIVES: Pharmacy professionals are required to take all necessary steps to protect commonly misused drugs such as opioids at their pharmacies to minimize the risk of diversion. The aim of this study is to assess Canadian pharmacy professionals' knowledge and compliance with federal and provincial regulations using the computer-based educational platform Pharmacy5in5. METHODS: A Narcotic Inventory module was created and reviewed by experts representing provincial and federal regulators. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze users' performance in quizzes. Binomial regression and logistic regression models were used to investigate the effect of demographic factors on users' performance. P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. KEY FINDINGS: The analysis included data collected over a period of three months. A total of 792 users accessed the Narcotic Inventory module on the Pharmacy5in5 website between July 2019 and November 2019. Most of the users were licenced pharmacists (64%), female (72%), received their training in Canada (68%), and were practising in Ontario (80%). Users performed best on the quiz addressing the steps for reconciliation of inventory (93%), and worst on the quiz reviewing how to prepare for a Health Canada visit (66%). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, pharmacy professionals showed adequate knowledge of the CDSA and provincial/territorial regulations regarding opioids inventory management. Conversely, the study highlighted poor compliance with the reporting of losses and theft of controlled substances by pharmacy professionals. Innovative approaches are needed to influence pharmacy professionals' behaviours to improve their compliance with best practices concerning inventory management to reduce drug diversion.

Effects of computer-based education on health professionals' knowledge, skills, and behavior: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Computer-based platforms are rapidly growing as a promising way to deliver education to health professionals (HPs). However, evidence to support the use of computer-based education to change professional behavior and clinical practice and to guide the selection of design features of computer-based educational platforms is lacking in the existing literature. OBJECTIVES: To address the current gaps in knowledge, a scoping review approach was used to explore the effects of computer-based education on HP knowledge, skills, and behavior as the primary objective. A secondary aim was to determine the design features of computer-based educational platforms that enhanced user satisfaction. METHODS: The scoping review was conducted using the Arksey and O'Malley framework and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews. Relevant studies were first identified through searches in 7 scientific databases. Studies were then selected through independent screening by 2 reviewers. Finally, the data of selected studies were extracted and charted using Excel (Microsoft Corporation). RESULTS: Seventeen studies were selected for inclusion. The included studies were conducted on a wide range of HPs and used computer-based educational platforms with varying features, duration, clinical content, and offerings of accreditation. All studies reported at least 1 of the following outcomes: HPs' acceptance, attitude, and satisfaction; knowledge and skills; and behavior; however, none of the studies evaluated the degrees of change in patient outcomes. Only 2 studies used theoretical frameworks to develop their platform, with mixed impact on effectiveness and consistent effect on satisfaction. In addition, the platforms employed newer features such as tailored feedback and instant messaging. CONCLUSION: Computer-based education can enhance HP knowledge, skills, and behavior. Future studies should explicitly outline the features that further improve learning outcomes and construct their interventions around well-grounded theory to improve the effectiveness of computer-based education on changing HP behavior.

Impact of a pharmacist-provided information booklet on knowledge and attitudes towards oral contraception among Jordanian women: an interventional study.

OBJECTIVES: Jordan has high rate of unintended pregnancy, which is largely attributed to limited knowledge and misconceptions about contraceptive methods, namely oral contraceptive pills (OCPs). The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a pharmacist-provided information booklet on increasing the knowledge of Jordanian women about safe and effective OCP use. METHODS: This was a randomised interventional study. One hundred and sixty women who had used OCPs at least once in their lifetime were randomised to receive conventional counselling (control group) or a pharmacist-provided booklet (intervention group). Knowledge about and attitude towards OCP use were assessed before and immediately after the intervention, and at three-month follow-up. RESULTS: The mean knowledge score (out of 5) of women in the intervention group improved significantly from 1.76 at baseline (standard deviation [SD] 1.25) to 5.00 (p < .000) directly after the intervention, which then slightly decreased to 4.93 (SD 0.31; p = .033) at follow-up. The baseline mean knowledge score of the control group was 1.29 (SD 1.12) and did not significantly increase over time. It was also considerably lower than that of the intervention group both immediately after the intervention and at follow-up. As regards mean attitude score (out of 6), the control group demonstrated no changes from baseline, whereas the intervention group improved significantly from 5.15 (SD 1.63) to 5.50 (SD 1.36; p = .014). CONCLUSIONS: Provision of an information booklet by pharmacists to women in Jordan using OCPs is highly recommended. Studies with a larger sample size and from different regions of Jordan are recommended.

Impact of ramadan intermittent fasting on oxidative stress measured by urinary 15-f(2t)-isoprostane.

Fasting and caloric restriction have been associated with reduced incidence of chronic diseases and cancers. These effects have been attributed to reduced oxidative stress. Since Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF) has been associated with reduced caloric intake, it was hypothesized that RIF would alleviate oxidative stress in healthy volunteers. The study was designed to elucidate the impact of RIF on oxidative stress measured by 15-F(2t)-Isoprostane (15FIP). Fifty healthy subjects (23 men and 27 women) who intended to fast Ramadan were recruited. Urine and serum sampling and anthropometric and dietary assessments were conducted one week before Ramadan (T0), at the end of the third week of Ramadan (T1), and one month after Ramadan (T2). Biochemical measurements included urinary 15FIP, creatinine, and hematological indices. Results revealed that the urinary level of 15FIP measured at T0 was normal, while they showed a significantly (P < 0.05) higher level when measured at T1 concomitant with a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the body weight and total body fat percent. In conclusion, results suggest that increased body weight is associated with increased lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress, and the impact of RIF on oxidative stress is mediated by the changes in body weight at the end of the month.