Objective. To design, implement, and evaluate an interprofessional learning workshop on pediatric prescribing.Design. An interactive workshop on pediatric prescribing was designed and delivered by pediatricians and pharmacists to fourth-year medical and pharmacy students on 3 university campus settings. Students were assigned to either interprofessional workshop groups (pharmacy and medical students) or non-interprofessional workshop groups (medical students only).Assessment. Two hundred thirty students completed the workshops and 92% returned both the pre- and post-workshop questionnaires. Attitudes toward interprofessional learning significantly improved among students in the interprofessional workshop groups (p< 0.001) and confidence in prescribing for pediatric patients significantly improved among all students (p< 0.001).Conclusions. The workshop improved medical and pharmacy students’ knowledge and confidence in pediatric prescribing and significantly improved their attitudes toward working and lear...

Social prescribing is increasingly viewed as a non-pharmacological option to address psychosocial consequences of social isolation, loneliness and bereavement; key contributors to poor mental health and wellbeing. Our study explored experiences and attitudes of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to social prescribing in England, Scotland, and Wales, using an on-line survey. (Ethical approval, University of Bath, November 2017). The electronic survey was distributed to pharmacists registered with Royal Pharmaceutical Society local practice forum network groups in England, Scotland, and Wales, and pharmacy technicians via social media platforms. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and free text by thematic analysis. One hundred and twenty respondents took part in the survey; (94.6% pharmacists and 5.4% pharmacy technicians). Responses indicated a lack of knowledge and experience with social prescribing; however, there was enthusiasm for pharmacists and the wider pharmacy team to be involved in local social prescribing pathways. Respondents believed they were well positioned within the community and consequently able to be involved in identifying individuals that may benefit. Barriers to involvement, included time, funding and training while enablers were pharmacist skills and the need within the community for social prescribing. There is a willingness in pharmacy, to be involved in social prescribing, however further research is required to enable the pharmacy team to be full participants in social prescribing pathways.

Aim: We aimed to explore participant perspectives on social prescribing (SP) for mental health and well-being and the acceptability of community pharmacists (CP) as members of SP pathways that support people with mild to moderate depression and anxiety. Background: SP aims to support people with poor health related to socio-demographic determinants. Positive effects of SP on self-belief, mood, well-being, and health are well documented, including a return to work for long-term unemployed. Methods: The study was set in a city in southwest England with diverse cultural and socio-demographics. We recruited SP stakeholders, including CP, to either one of 17 interviews or a focus group with nine members of the public. Findings: An inductive iterative approach to thematic analysis produced four superordinate themes: (1) offering choice a non-pharmacological option, (2) supporting pharmacy communities – ‘it is an extension of what we do’, (3) stakeholder perspectives – pharmacists are very busy and their expertise unknown by some, and (4) potential for pharmacy in primary care. Stakeholders viewed CP as local to and accessible by their community. Pharmacists perceived referral to SP services as part of their current role. General practitioner participants considered pharmacy involvement could reduce their workload and expand the primary healthcare team. Importantly, general practitioners and CP viewed SP as a non-pharmacological alternative to prescribing unnecessary antidepressants and reduce associated adverse effects. All participants voiced concerns about pharmacy dispensing busyness as a potential barrier to involvement and pharmacists requesting mental health training updates. Key findings suggest CP offer a potential alternative to the general practitioner for people with mild to moderate depression and anxiety seeking access to support and health information. However, CP need appropriately commissioned and funded involvement in SP, including backfill for ongoing dispensing, medicines optimization, and mental health first aid training.

Aim: To compare sole nurse and doctor‐led multidisciplinary team delivery of community clozapine services for people with treatment‐resistant schizophrenia.Background: Around 20% of people with schizophrenia are treatment resistant and fail to respond to front line medications. Clozapine, a second‐line treatment, has potentially serious side effects requiring regular monitoring. Different models of community clozapine services are emerging in the British National Health Service, but there is little evidence about which is best.Design: Questionnaire survey of service users.Methods: All patients on the lists of seven clozapine clinics (four sole nurse, three multidisciplinary team) in one trust were invited to participate, 2009–2010. Forward stepwise regression was used to investigate associations between patient well‐being, functioning, self‐efficacy and satisfaction, and clinic model attended, controlling for socio‐demographic and health characteristics and processes of care. Use (and costs) of other health and social services accessed was compared between models.Results: Sixty‐six service users (35% participation rate) responded. Well‐being and functioning were associated with patient characteristics and processes of care, not clinic model. Patients managed by sole nurses reported, over 3 months: more community psychiatric nurse visits and hospital psychiatrist appointments. Clinic list size affects costs per patient.Conclusions: Multidisciplinary team delivery may reduce use of other services. Although multidisciplinary team delivery is regarded as best practice, sole nurses can effectively provide clozapine services and may be warranted in areas of low population density.

Background: Despite cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk prediction equations becoming more widely available for people aged 75 years and over, views of older people on CVD risk assessment are unknown. Aim: To explore older people’s views on CVD risk prediction and its assessment. Design and Setting: Qualitative study of community dwelling older New Zealanders. Methods: We purposively recruited a diverse group of older people. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. Results: Thirty-nine participants (mean age 74 years) of Māori, Pacific, South Asian and European ethnicities participated in one of 26 interviews or three focus groups. Three key themes emerged, (1) Poor knowledge and understanding of cardiovascular disease and its risk assessment, (2) Acceptability and perceived benefit of knowing and receiving advice on managing personal cardiovascular risk; and (3) Distinguishing between CVD outcomes; stroke and heart attack are not the same. Most participants did not understand CVD terms but were familiar with ‘heart attack,’ ‘stroke’ and understood lifestyle risk factors for these events. Participants valued CVD outcomes differently, fearing stroke and disability which might adversely affect independence and quality of life, but being less concerned about a heart attack, perceived as causing less disability and swifter death. These findings and preferences were similar across ethnic groups. Conclusion: Older people want to know their CVD risk and how to manage it, but distinguish between CVD outcomes. To inform clinical decision making for older people, risk prediction tools should provide separate event types rather than just composite outcomes.