A Scoping Review of Factors Affecting COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake and Deployment in Global Healthcare Systems.

: COVID-19 vaccines were rapidly developed and deployed on a large scale during a global crisis. A range of deployment strategies were used globally to maximize vaccine uptake. In this scoping review, we identify and analyze the main healthcare system and policy factors that guided and influenced COVID-19 vaccination deployment and uptake globally.

Medication adherence for people with acquired communication disorders: A systematic review.

Conditions such as stroke, dementia and neurodegeneration are major contributors to the incidence of acquired communication disorders in Europe. Pharmacological interventions play a central role in the management and treatment of these conditions, though many patients with an acquired communication disorder may be at a higher risk of medication non-adherence than their peers. The objectives of the current review were to identify, in the context of people with acquired communication disorders: factors that influence medication adherence; current interventions targeting medication adherence; and current measures of medication adherence.

Informing the development of antipsychotic-induced weight gain management guidance: patient experiences and preferences - qualitative descriptive study.

Background: Antipsychotic-induced weight gain (AIWG) is a substantial contributor to high obesity rates in psychiatry. Limited management guidance exists to inform clinical practice, and individuals with experience of managing AIWG have had no or minimal input into its development. A lack of empirical research outlining patient values and preferences for management also exists.

Shared decision-making interventions in the choice of antipsychotic prescription in people living with psychosis (SHAPE): Protocol for a realist review.

Background: Shared decision-making (SDM) has yet to be successfully adopted into routine use in psychiatric settings amongst people living with severe mental illnesses. Suboptimal rates of SDM are particularly prominent amongst patients with psychotic illnesses during antipsychotic treatment choices. Many interventions have been assessed for their efficacy in improving SDM within this context, although results have been variable and inconsistent.

Economic cost-benefit analysis of person-centred medicines reviews by general practice pharmacists.

Background: Medicines reviews by general practice pharmacists improve patient outcomes, but little is known about the associated economic outcomes, particularly in patients at higher risk of medicines-related harm.

Aim: To conduct an economic cost-benefit analysis of pharmacists providing person-centred medicines reviews to patients with hyperpolypharmacy (prescribed ≥ 10 regular medicines) and/or at high risk of medicines-related harm across multiple general practice settings.

Method: Service delivery costs were calculated based on the pharmacist's salary, recorded timings, and a general practitioner fee.

Point Prevalence Survey of Acute Hospital Patients with Difficulty Swallowing Solid Oral Dose Forms.

The safe administration of solid oral dose forms in hospital inpatients with swallowing difficulties is challenging. The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of difficulties in swallowing solid oral dose forms in acute hospital inpatients. A point prevalence study was completed at three time points.

Hospitalisation and adverse drug events in a geriatric oncology setting: A systematic review of the literature.

Background: Geriatric Oncology is a specialty where a multidisciplinary approach can address the unmet needs of older adults with cancer. Older adults are at increased risk of adverse drug events (ADE) due to age-related changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, increasing treatment complexity, and medication burden.

Objectives: To review the literature to determine the incidence of unplanned hospitalisation due to ADE for all medications, both systemic anticancer therapy (SACT) and non-SACT medications.

Inconclusiveness of psychometric testing of medication adherence questionnaires.

Purpose: To propose a paradigm change for the validation procedures of medication adherence questionnaires.

Methods: A total of 121 validation procedures of unique questionnaires for medication adherence were analyzed.

Results: "Construct validity" and "internal consistency" were most often assessed, and test results varied largely.

Ageing-related considerations for medication used in supportive care in cancer.

Both randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and retrospective studies have shown that a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) prior to a patient commencing systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) results in improved quality of life outcomes and is associated with a decreased risk of grade 3-5 toxicity; however, data are lacking in relation to adverse drug events (ADE) associated with supportive care medications. Supportive care medications are prescribed as prophylactic agents in a SACT regimen, for management of treatment related toxicity and for symptoms caused by the disease itself. While necessary, the commencement of SACT and supportive medications may cause, or exacerbate, a significant drug burden in older patients, some of whom may have existing comorbidities.

Prevalence and Cost of Antipsychotic Prescribing, within the Context of Psycholeptic Prescribing, in the Irish Setting.

Psycholeptic and specifically antipsychotic prescribing is increasing worldwide each year. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and cost of antipsychotic prescribing, within the wider frame of psycholeptic prescribing, in the Irish context. Quantitative analysis of a dataset from the Primary Care Reimbursement Service relating to cost and prescribing frequency of ATC Class N05 psycholeptic drugs from January 2020-August 2022 inclusive was conducted using Microsoft Excel for Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2311) and STATA 18.

Healthcare professional perspectives on medication challenges in the post-stroke patient.

Medications play an essential role in the management of patients who have experienced a stroke. Despite the recognised importance and widespread availability of secondary prevention guidelines, Irish research has shown a continuous failure to meet secondary prevention targets upon discharge. While complex interventions involving healthcare professionals (HCPs) such as Speech and Language Therapists (SLT), Occupational Therapists (OTs) and Pharmacists have been effective in combatting medication non-adherence, community multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) are not as well defined as in the acute setting, leading to wide variation in patient care.

Development and validation of the 15-STARS - A novel self-report pharmacy-based questionnaire to screen for medication non-adherence.

Background: Published scales measuring medication adherence are myriad. There is a need for a tool that guides towards downstream adherence interventions.

Objective: To develop and validate a self-report questionnaire able to detect modifiable determinants of medication non-adherence.

Adult Patients with Difficulty Swallowing Oral Dosage Forms: A Systematic Review of the Quantitative Literature.

The aim of this systematic review was to identify and critically appraise the available evidence regarding solid oral dosage forms (SODFs), e.g., tablets, and challenges regarding the oral administration of medicine to inpatients in a variety of healthcare settings such as (1) hospitals, (2) nursing homes and (3) long-term stay units (LTSUs).

Quality assurance standards and their use in the preparation of parenteral systemic anticancer therapy products in healthcare establishments: a scoping review.

Objectives: The use of parenteral systemic anticancer therapy (SACT) has led to improved cancer survival. A quality assurance (QA) system of the aseptic compounding process is necessary to ensure safe and consistent production of parenteral SACT. This scoping review identifies international evidence and practice relating to QA standards in the preparation of parenteral SACT in healthcare establishments.

Comprehensive pharmacological geriatric assessment compared to usual care in an older adult with cancer in the absence of polypharmacy.

Introduction: Medication reconciliation as part of a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment by a specialist pharmacist is a process that has been shown to be beneficial in terms of medication adherence in patients taking oral anticancer medication and potentially cost-effective in cancer patients. Medication review guidelines in older adults with cancer suggest using polypharmacy (≥ 5 medications) as an indication for medication review in older adults with cancer.

Case Report: We present a case where a medication review as part of a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment in the absence of polypharmacy resulted in two pharmacist interventions when standard care resulted in no intervention.

Hospitalization due to adverse drug events in older adults with cancer: A retrospective analysis.

Introduction: Geriatric oncology is a rapidly evolving field of practice, where comprehensive geriatric assessments (CGA) and multidisciplinary team (MDT) input have the potential to improve patient outcomes. Polypharmacy and potential drug interactions (PDI) have been associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes in older adults with cancer, receiving systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT). Our aim was to assess the incidence of unplanned hospitalization in older adults with cancer attending medical oncology outpatient clinics and to determine whether an unplanned hospitalization was potentially due to an adverse drug event (ADE).

Predicting antipsychotic-induced weight gain in first episode psychosis - A field-wide systematic review and meta-analysis of non-genetic prognostic factors.

Background: Whether non-genetic prognostic factors significantly influence the variable prognosis of antipsychotic-induced weight gain (AIWG) has not yet been systematically explored.

Methods: Searches for both randomized and non-randomized studies were undertaken using four electronic databases, two trial registers, and via supplemental searching methods. Unadjusted and adjusted estimates were extracted.

Metabolic Syndrome in Adults Receiving Clozapine; The Need for Pharmacist Support.

People who are diagnosed with treatment resistant schizophrenia (TRS) are likely to have clozapine as a therapeutic management option. There is a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients receiving clozapine. To mitigate against this, monitoring of weight, waist circumference, lipid profile, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and blood pressure (BP) is recommended.

Healthcare provider perceptions of safety culture: A multi-site study using the safety attitudes questionnaire.

Introduction: Patient safety culture, the way in which members of a healthcare organisation think about and prioritise safety, has been linked to positive patient outcomes. The aim of this study was to use the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (SAQ) to measure the safety culture in a variety of healthcare settings located in the province of Munster of Ireland.

Methods: The SAQ was applied in six healthcare settings in the Munster province of Ireland between December 2017 and November 2019.

Identifying intervention strategies to improve HPV vaccine decision-making using behaviour change theory.

Although the HPV vaccine is highly safe and effective, its uptake is sub-optimal in many countries, including Ireland. There is therefore a need to identify appropriate interventions that will increase HPV vaccine acceptance by parents. In this study, we took a systematic approach to understand the factors that influence HPV vaccine uptake by parents of adolescent girls in Ireland to define suitable behaviour change interventions that would support positive vaccine decision-making in the future.

Supporting pharmacy students' preparation for an entry-to-practice OSCE using video cases.

Background And Purpose: Objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) are widely used, including in licensure examinations. OSCEs assess diverse skills in a structured manner, but can be stressful for students and have a significant organisational burden for faculty. Case-based video OSCE preparation resources were developed for students preparing for a licensure OSCE.