Background: The evolution of pharmacy education to competency-based education (CBE) demands novel assessment tools that are objective, prompt and scalable. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is considered a disruptive power in medical education worldwide, but its penetration in Jordanian pharmacy education is unassessed. Objective: To model the integration and impact of AI-enhanced competency assessment instruments in the education of pharmacy at a university and its college. Methods: Mixed-methods design was utilized. A virtual cohort of 200 students was used to simulate AI-proctored examinations at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Mutah University. Simulation results consisted of diagnostic accuracy, feedback quality, faculty burden, and student/faculty impressions. From the hypothetical focus group simulations, qualitative data was synthesized. Results: Simulated AI evaluations were more accurate than traditional evaluations diagnostically above threshold levels at 94% versus 76%, respectively, as well as provided immediate feedback and resulted in a 70% reduction in faculty time for grading. Students expressed relatively high levels of satisfaction with AI feedback clarity (4.6/5) and fairness (4.7/5). Faculty reported increased congruence with curriculum objectives and augmentation of personalized teaching. Conclusion: AI-based assessment systems had potential to enhance competency tracking, support high-quality feedback and be time efficient within Jordanian pharmacy education. A staged approach to real-world implementation is advised, along with training of stakeholders and regulatory support.
Background:Delirium in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) is a significant neuropsychiatric condition that affects consciousness, attention, cognition, and perception. Its management is crucial due to its high incidence and potential severe outcomes.Objective: This review aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of quetiapine, an atypical antipsychotic, in managing pediatric delirium within PICUs, given its prevalent use in adults and emerging application in pediatric settings.Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted across databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Scopus, with no restriction on publication date. Studies were selected based on their focus on the safety and efficacy of quetiapine in pediatric delirium management. Data extraction and synthesis were performed, pooling quantitative data for meta-analysis and assessing study quality and bias using standardized tools. Results: The literature search yielded six studies suitable for inclusion, encompassing randomized controlled trials and observational studies. Quetiapine was generally well tolerated, with few serious side effects, such as QTc prolongation and metabolic issues. Efficacy outcomes were mixed, with some studies reporting reduced symptoms and duration of delirium. In contrast, others indicated no significant improvement compared to other treatments or placebo.Conclusions: Quetiapine shows potential for managing pediatric delirium in PICUs, with a safety profile that is acceptable in short-term use. However, the evidence is inconclusive regarding its overall efficacy in reducing delirium incidence and duration. More robust, controlled trials are needed to establish clear guidelines and assess long-term safety and efficacy.
Background: This study investigates the impact of emotional intelligence on communication in the pharmacist-patient relationship, where effective communication is crucial to treatment outcomes and the overall therapeutic process.Objective: The research aimed to examine how empathy, emotional self-regulation, and social skills influence verbal, non-verbal, and paraverbal communication in community pharmacy.Methodology: A quantitative descriptive-correlational cross-sectional design was employed for this study. Specifically, an online questionnaire consisting of 25 items was distributed to a sample of 246 community pharmacists. Jamovi-type analyses were conducted, which included descriptive statistics, Spearman correlations, multiple linear regression, independent t-tests, and ANOVA.Results: The results indicated significant correlations among several variables. There was a positive correlation between empathy and the use of non-verbal communication (rho = 0.187; p = 0.003), between emotional self-regulation and paraverbal modulation (adjustments in voice tone; rho = 0.245; p < 0.001), and between social skills and the clarity of verbal communication (rho = 0.224; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Multiple regression analyses showed that empathy and social skills predicted the clarity of verbal explanations, self-regulation predicted the use of nonverbal language, while both self-regulation and empathy predicted the adaptation of voice tone. The results emphasize the vital importance of emotional skills, particularly empathy and self-regulation, improving communication between pharmacists and patients. This analysis could be further developed and integrated into pharmacist education and ongoing professional development.
Background: Community pharmacists are often the first point of contact for patients seeking medications, positioning them as key stakeholders in addressing drug abuse and misuse. However, limited data exist on their readiness and perspectives in this area, particularly in Jordan.Aims: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of community pharmacists regarding drug abuse, to identify potential pharmacy-based initiatives to address the issue, to examine the barriers they encounter, and to highlight opportunities for enhancing pharmacist-led interventions in controlling medication misuse. Method: A reliability-validated online survey was created and sent out through social media to the community pharmacists to fill out and gain the knowledge and practice about drug abuse and misuse. Results: Most pharmacists (90.7%) reported encountering cases of drug misuse in their workplace, with over half (51.9%) facing ten or more incidents. While some claimed to know the difference between "misuse" and "abuse," only a certain percentage had received formal training on the topic. Despite ethical concerns, 30.6% admitting to treat suspected abusers differently, most pharmacists (92.9%) recognized their preventive role and expressed high willingness (93.8%) to receive future training. Knowledge levels were generally moderate, but practical preparedness and confidence in regulatory frameworks varied. Conclusion: In conclusion, the research highlights the need to monitor prescription and distribution processes properly; Jordanian community pharmacists demonstrate a moderate awareness of drug abuse issues and a clear willingness to engage in prevention. However, gaps in training and inconsistent attitudes highlight the need for enhanced education.
Objectives: Self-medication with over-the-counter (OTC) drugs is a widespread practice that provides convenience and cost savings but also raises concerns about misuse and safety. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), limited studies have assessed consumer satisfaction and self-medication patterns. Understanding these factors is essential for promoting safe and effective self-care practices. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among adult residents of the UAE (>= 18 years) who had used OTC medications. A structured questionnaire assessed sociodemographic characteristics, medication usage patterns, sources of information, motivations for self-medication, and consumer satisfaction. Exclusion criteria included healthcare professionals and individuals with incomplete responses. Data were collected digitally using QR code-linked surveys, and statistical analysis was performed to examine associations between sociodemographic factors and OTC medication use. Results: Among 211 participants, 114 (54%) reported regular OTC medication use. Usage was higher among females (n = 66, 58%) compared to males (n = 48, 42%), and among employed individuals (n = 71, 62%). The most commonly used OTC medications were analgesics, antipyretics, and respiratory treatments. Healthcare providers were the primary source of recommendations (n = 62, 49%), followed by friends and relatives (n = 44, 35%). The primary motivations for self-medication included the ability to treat mild illnesses independently (n = 85, 23%), keeping OTC medications at home for emergencies (n = 61, 17%), and avoiding hospital visits (n = 48, 13%). Consumer satisfaction was high, particularly regarding effectiveness (n = 93, 82%) and availability (n = 94, 82%), though concerns about cost were noted, with 44% (n = 49) expressing dissatisfaction. Conclusions: OTC medication use is prevalent in the UAE, driven by accessibility, affordability, and consumer confidence. While satisfaction levels are generally high, concerns about affordability and potential safety risks highlight the need for targeted public health strategies. Healthcare professionals and policymakers should implement educational initiatives to ensure responsible self-medication practices and enhance patient awareness of potential risks.
Background: The complexity of drug administration via tube feeding makes home enteral nutrition (HEN) difficult. Telepharmacy was established to provide continuous pharmacological care to assure safety and efficacy of the patients at home care. Objective: To examine drug-related problems (DRPs) in patients receiving HEN, and a pharmacy-led intervention on optimizing medication administration via feeding tubes at home care settings. Methods: This cohort study was conducted between April 2021 and January 2024 involving adult patients on tube feeding who received pharmaceutical care via telepharmacy. Medication review, pharmaceutical consultation, documentation and follow-up planning were performed by pharmacists. During remote consultations, DRPs were identified, and recommendations were made based on current clinical guidelines and evidence-based resources. Results: A total of 90 patients were included, with a mean age of 81.5 +/- 14.5 years (63% females). During 153 telepharmacy sessions, pharmacists identified 189 DRPs in 85 patients (94.44%), involving 207 medications. The common drug categories involved in DRPs included gastrointestinal drugs (26.09%), cardiovascular drugs (9.18%), and micronutrients (7.25%). The most frequent DRPs were failure to receive drugs (38.10%), improper drug selection (14.28%), untreated indications (8.47%), and drug interactions (8.47%). Telepharmacy-based pharmaceutical counseling and management successfully resolved 134 from 189 DRPs (70.89%). Most issues were addressed through caregiver medication counseling, clarification of drug administration techniques, correction of inappropriate dosage forms, and adjustment of drug regimens in collaboration with physicians. Some problems remained unresolved due to factors beyond immediate pharmacist management, such as unavailable of appropriate dosage forms, or limited authority to modify therapy. Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of telepharmacy services in optimizing pharmacotherapy and ensuring medication safety among patients receiving HEN.
Introduction:In the context of growing economic uncertainty and regulatory challenges in Kazakhstan, the sustainability and development of pharmacy practice require informed strategic management decisions. Personnel with pharmaceutical education, directly involved in operational processes, represent a valuable source of data for assessing organisational efficiency, financial resilience, and adaptation capacity in the current market.Objectives:This study aimed to characterise pharmaceutical workers and the internal structure, as well as the economic stability, of pharmacies in Kazakhstan based on employee perspectives. It also examined workforce motivation, strategic trends, logistics, and client base analytics in the context of sectoral transformation.Methods and materials: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 200 pharmacy professionals across Kazakhstan, all holding a pharmaceutical education. The survey instrument consisted of five thematic blocks: (1) influence of external and internal factors; (2) use of human resources; (3) financial sustainability; (4) development trends and strategic initiatives; and (5) client base analysis.Results: Most organisations provide for personnel training (91%) and use predominantly material forms of motivation (58.1%). At the same time, the share of those who confirmed the presence of strategic planning in case of external instability was 61.6%. More than a third of respondents are unaware of financial strategies and capital structure, indicating a low level of personnel involvement in management processes. The analysis also revealed the need to develop management competencies, especially in the field of "soft" skills and strategic thinking, which emphasizes the need to revise pharmaceutical education programs.Conclusion: The study revealed significant variation in the strategic and financial management practices of pharmacies in Kazakhstan. While some companies exhibit adaptive capacity and invest in human capital, others face constraints due to regulatory and structural gaps. The findings underscore the importance of enhancing financial strategies, employee involvement, and internal communication to ensure resilience and long-term competitiveness in the pharmaceutical sector.
Background: To provide high-quality care, it is necessary to minimize conflict and other negative effects on the health team's environment. Providing healthcare services necessitates the collaboration of numerous teams of nurses, surgeons, physicians, and pharmacists, and addressing challenges takes time. Regardless of the case, it is a critical responsibility for physician leaders. At any point, conflicts between medical staff members can erupt into violence or a lawsuit. Objectives: Identifying and analyzing factors that contribute to conflict between healthcare providers and managers in UAE hospitals. Methods and Materials: As part of the qualitative technique utilized in this study, face-to-face interviews were done. Just two public hospitals were chosen, with a sample size of 30 participants (ten nurses, ten pharmacists, and ten doctors) in two public hospitals. Result: In the examined hospitals, three important reasons were identified as a conflict between medical staff members: organizational factors, a lack of satisfaction, and workload. Conclusion: This study attempted to provide an in-depth understanding of the factors influencing the relationship between hospital managers and healthcare providers. This study investigated the elements that influence conflict in hospitals, as well as the reasons for and forms of workplace conflicts. These problems not only endanger patients and the quality of services they receive, but they also have an impact on leadership and managerial qualities.
Background: Wound exposure to water significantly increases the risk of infection and delayed healing, particularly in seawater immersion wounds (SWIs) where microbial contamination exceeds 100 million organisms per liter. NU_Woundguard, a medical-grade silicone protective device, was designed to maintain a watertight seal over standard dressings and reduce contamination risk. Objective: To rigorously evaluate the efficacy and safety of NU_ Woundguard in preventing water ingress under control, reproducible laboratory conditions simulating freshwater and seawater immersion. Methods: A controlled laboratory experiment was conducted using anatomically accurate, 3D-printed foot models with clinically validated normal and SWI wound simulations. Models were randomly assigned to Control (standard dressing only) or Intervention (standard dressing plus NU_Woundguard) groups. Both groups underwent standardized immersion at 10, 30, and 60 minutes in freshwater and seawater (n = 5 per condition). The primary efficacy outcome was water penetration, quantified by analytical weighing of absorbent detection sheets pre-and post-immersion. Safety outcomes included structural integrity, tensile strength retention, and dressing compatibility following 10 immersion cycles and 30 mechanical stress cycles. All measurements were performed in duplicate by blinded assessors using calibrated instruments. Results: NU_Woundguard achieved zero leakage across all conditions (0/30 samples; 0.00 +/- 0.00 g), while controls exhibited 100% leakage. At 60 minutes, mean penetration in controls was 1.85 +/- 0.42 g (freshwater) and 2.14 +/- 0.39 g (seawater). Tensile strength retention was 94.6% +/- 2.1%, with no structural defects observed. Conclusion: Under validated, standardized conditions, NU_Woundguard demonstrated complete prevention of water penetration and maintained mechanical durability, supporting its clinical potential as a non-pharmacological wound protection strategy.
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate ChatGPT's performance on pharmacology exam questions by assessing its accuracy in basic and clinical pharmacology, reasoning processes, and response consistency over time. Methods: A dataset of 583 multiple-choice questions from the Pharmacology Examination and Board Review (13th edition) was used. ChatGPT's responses were evaluated for logical justification, use of internal question stem information, and integration of external knowledge. Statistical analyses, including chi-square and McNemar tests, assessed associations and changes in response accuracy over a four-week interval. Results: ChatGPT achieved 76.2% accuracy (444/583 questions), demonstrating logical reasoning in 97% of responses. Internal information was used in 99.7% of cases, while external information was incorporated in 98% of correct and 93.5% of incorrect responses (p = 0.008). Information errors were the most common reason for incorrect answers. A statistically significant improvement in accuracy upon re-evaluation (chi 2 = 37.3, p < 0.0001) was observed, suggesting potential temporal variation in performance. Conclusion: ChatGPT meets or exceeds typical passing standards in many educational settings, with evidence of improved response accuracy over time. These findings highlight its capabilities in processing pharmacological content, with potential implications for future research into AI-assisted educational tools.
Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease develops from exposure of the esophagus to acidic refluxate from the stomach and duodenal bile. While a floating raft, in which calcium carbonate was the main antacid ingredient, is formed on top of the stomach fluid to provide a physical barrier against acid gastroesophageal reflux after ingesting alginate-based antacid products. Objective: This work aimed to test in vitro effectiveness of five alginate suspensions commercially available in the Thai market to understand their characteristics and behaviors in gastric conditions mimicking the human stomach. Methods: Five commercial alginate suspensions were tested under simulated gastric conditions (0.1 N HCl, 37 degrees C). Raft formation was assessed by recording onset time, volume, mass, and buoyancy. Raft strength was quantified using a texture analyzer with a penetration probe, while porosity was examined visually. Acid neutralization capacity (ANC) was measured by titration against 0.1 N HCl to pH 3.0, and neutralization duration was monitored over time. Correlations between raft characteristics and ANC were analyzed. Results: Rafts of products formed voluminously (64.9-83.8 mL, 39.8-46.4 g), porous and floating rafts within 0.4-6.3 min. Raft strength and neutralization duration was in the range of 13.3-29.9 g and 24-46 min, respectively. Marked differences were not evident in the acid neutralization capacity (ANC) values of the products (8.8-9.9 mEq). No correlation was observed between ANC and raft-forming capacity or duration of neutralization though raft structures could affect their neutralization profiles. Conclusion: The results demonstrated that formulation design and raw material sourcing could vary product performance. While the obtained values of in vitro effectiveness could be applied to set the specifications and characterization methods for developing new raft-forming formulations and products. Importantly, understanding raft characteristics could empower pharmacists to make informed recommendations, providing patients with improved symptom relief and management.
Background: Osteoporosis is considered one of the most important postmenopausal problems. The absence of efficacy markers and intolerable side effects hinders treatment outcomes. This study aimed to assess adherence to medications, quality of life and treatment satisfaction among Lebanese osteoporotic women. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between March-December 2020 in community and outpatient settings distributed in all Lebanese districts. A validated questionnaire was used to gather information through face-to-face and online interviews. Data was analyzed using a statistical package for social science (SPSS). Results: A total of 72 patients were recruited with a mean age of 60.40 of +/- 8.86 years. Almost all women (94.40%) were menopause with a mean age of 48.97 +/- 4.78 years (mean +/- SD). The majority were married (83.30%), had 2 or more children (81.90%), and were educated (86.10%). The adherence score was positively and significantly associated with the duration of smoking (beta=0.22, CI=0.03-0.41, P-value=0.027) and calcium intake (beta=5.68, CI=1.56-9.80, p-value=0.009). On the other hand, a negative association was noted with vitamin D intake (beta=-15.34, CI=-27.95,-2.73, p-value=0.019). Conclusion: Treatment satisfaction was significantly associated with the participant's age and menopause status. Proper education and awareness campaigns can help young women prevent the development of osteoporosis.
Background:In 2020, a revised consensus guideline of therapeutic monitoring of vancomycin for serious methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections was published, and reviewed by many regulatory authorities Stated that, in patients with suspected or definitive serious MRSA infections, an individualized dose targeting area under the curve over 24 hour (AUC24) to minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ratio of 400 to 600 mcg*hr/mL should be advocated to achieve clinical efficacy and improving patient safety, while many hospitals in Iraq utilize fixed manufacturer-recommended dose for vancomycin in patients with normal renal function which is 30 mg/kg/d given as two or four divided daily doses. Objective: Comparing vancomycin AUC24/MIC ratio of patients receiving conventional vancomycin doses to patients receiving individualized doses calculated by pharmacokinetic dosing methods. Methods: A prospective randomized study conducted in the Intensive Care Units (ICU) of two tertiary centers at Baghdad Medical Complex (Baghdad Teaching Hospital and Ghazi Al-Hariri Hospital for Surgical Specialties), Patients were assigned alternately, 30 patients who met inclusion criteria were assigned to the conventional group (group 1), receiving the conventional dose of 1 g of vancomycin every 12 hours or any other dose prescribed by ICU physicians, representing the current practice; and 30 patients were assigned to the interventional group (group 2), where vancomycin dose was calculated by pharmacokinetic dosing method. Results: The target AUC24/MIC Ratio of 400-600 mcg*hr/mL was achieved in 6 (20%) patients of group 1, and 16 (53.33%) patients of group 2, which was statistically significant with P-value 0.000. Conclusions: Individualized vancomycin dosing improved achievement of the therapeutic AUC24/MIC target versus conventional dosing (53.3% vs 20.0%) but was associated with increased nephrotoxicity.
