Pharmacy students' and pharmacists' perceptions about geriatric pharmacotherapy education
Date
2017
Authors
Wahab, M.S.A.
Othman, N.
Kowalski, S.R.
Zulkifly, H.H.
Ali, A.A.
Ming, L.C.
Majeed, A.B.A.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
Pharmacy Education, 2017; 17(1):100-108
Statement of Responsibility
Conference Name
Abstract
Background: An adequate background knowledge base in geriatric pharmacotherapy (GPT) must be attained by pharmacists in order for them to provide optimal care to the elderly.
Objectives: To investigate the perceptions of pharmacy students about the need for competency in GPT, pharmacists’ level of self-perceived confidence in providing GPT, and their opinions about GPT training and education.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a questionnaire was distributed to pharmacy students from a public university and pharmacists from four public hospitals in Selangor, Malaysia between May and August 2013.
Results: The response rates were 85.8% (151/176) and 58.9% (128/217) for the pharmacy students and pharmacists respectively. Pharmacy students agreed with the need for GPT competency (mean agreement: 4.64 ± 0.61), but pharmacists’ self-perceived confidence in GPT was moderate (mean agreement: 3.26 ± 0.71). The respondents’ agreement about the adequacy of GPT education received during their undergraduate studies was also modest (pharmacy students, 3.22 ± 0.86; pharmacists, 2.84 ± 0.82; p<0.01). In addition, the respondents welcomed more education in GPT; considered knowledge in common GPT-related topics as important; preferred software to obtain GPT information; and perceived clinical attachment with geriatricians as useful to enhance their GPT knowledge.
Conclusion: Our findings provide a basis to make more GPT education available to both pharmacy students and pharmacists.
School/Discipline
Dissertation Note
Provenance
Description
Access Status
Rights
Copyright 2017 FIP