Understanding rural pharmacists' perspectives: lived experiences and insights associated with rural recruitment and retention.

Introduction: Pharmacists serve an important role in rural communities, and in some cases they may be the only health professional available. Their recruitment and retention is a major concern for rural communities and health services; however, a deeper understanding regarding the advantages and challenges of sustaining a rural pharmacy workforce is somewhat limited. The aim of this study was to develop a deeper understanding of pharmacists' perspectives about factors influencing pharmacist recruitment and retention to rural and remote communities.

The Pharmacy Community Apgar Questionnaire: a modified Delphi technique to develop a rural pharmacist recruitment and retention tool.

Introduction: An adequate healthcare workforce remains essential for the health of rural communities. Strategies to address rural health workforce challenges have often centred on the medical and nursing workforce; however, addressing the rural pharmacist workforce also remains critical as they are often the first point of contact for health advice. Initiatives have increased pharmacist supply; however, key issues such as poor attraction, recruitment, and retention to rural areas remain.

Strategies to increase the pharmacist workforce in rural and remote Australia: a scoping review.

Introduction: Despite reports suggesting an oversupply of pharmacists, there is currently an inadequate supply in rural and remote Australia. This can lead to a reduction in pharmaceutical services for an already vulnerable population. The objective of this study was to identify strategies for increasing the pharmacist workforce and factors associated with retention in rural and remote Australia Methods: Database searches of Ovid Medline (Medline and Embase), CINAHL and Scopus were conducted.

Correction: Anticoagulation Knowledge Tool (AKT): Further evidence of validity in the Italian population.

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Anticoagulation Knowledge Tool (AKT): Further evidence of validity in the Italian population.

Introduction: Oral Anticoagulation therapy (OAC) is highly effective in the management of thromboembolic disorders. An adequate level of knowledge is important for self-management and optimizing clinical outcomes. The Anticoagulation Knowledge Tool (AKT) was developed to assess OAC knowledge and caters for both patients prescribed direct oral anticoagulants or vitamin K antagonist (VKA).

Adherence to Oral Anticoagulants in Atrial Fibrillation: An Australian Survey.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the proportion of patients who have suboptimal adherence to oral anticoagulant (OAC), identify the predictors of adherence, and determine whether patient-related factors vary across adherence levels in Australia.

Methods: Respondents were recruited for an online survey using Facebook. Survey instruments included the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale, the Anticoagulation Knowledge Tool, the Perception of Anticoagulant Treatment Questionnaires, and a modified Cancer Information Overload scale.

Anticoagulation knowledge in patients with atrial fibrillation: An Australian survey.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most commonly diagnosed arrhythmia in clinical practice, and is associated with a significant medical and economic burden. Anticoagulants reduce the risk of stroke and systemic embolism by approximately two-thirds compared with no therapy. Knowledge regarding anticoagulant therapy can influence treatment outcomes in patients with AF.

The relationship between knowledge, health literacy, and adherence among patients taking oral anticoagulants for stroke thromboprophylaxis in atrial fibrillation.

Background: Patients' knowledge regarding their oral anticoagulant (OAC) treatment for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF), their level of medication adherence, and health literacy are known to affect treatment outcomes. However, contemporary data regarding the relationships between these variables are lacking.

Objective: To investigate the relationships between anticoagulant knowledge, health literacy, and self-reported adherence in patients taking warfarin and the directly acting oral anticoagulants.

Development and Validation of an Oral Anticoagulation Knowledge Tool (AKT).

Background: Assessing and improving patients' anticoagulation knowledge can lead to better treatment outcomes. While validated knowledge instruments exist for use in people taking warfarin, these tools are not necessarily applicable to patients taking direct-acting oral anticoagulants.

Objective: To develop and validate an oral anticoagulation knowledge instrument that is applicable to all oral anticoagulant medications.

A Summary of the Literature Evaluating Adherence and Persistence with Oral Anticoagulants in Atrial Fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a growing public health concern and remains an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke. Warfarin, a commonly used oral anticoagulant, is associated with a 60-70 % relative reduction in stroke risk and a reduction in mortality of 26 %. However, warfarin has several limitations, including a narrow therapeutic window, variable dose response, multiple interactions with other drugs and concurrent illnesses, and the need for frequent laboratory monitoring.