Evidence map›Paper›PMID 36243689›Full record

ArticleBMC primary care2022

Community pharmacists' counseling practices and patient experiences about topical corticosteroids - an online survey in the Klang Valley, Malaysia.

Abigail Dayang Nathan, Pathiyil Ravi Shankar, Chandrashekhar T Sreeramareddy

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC primary care, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Abigail Dayang NathanSchool of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Pathiyil Ravi ShankarIMU Centre for Education, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Chandrashekhar T SreeramareddyDepartment of Community Medicine, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. chandrashekharats@yahoo.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCommunity Pharmacists (CPs) play an important role in patient counseling regarding the use of topical corticosteroids (TCS). We assessed CP's self-reported counseling practices regarding TCS and patients' reported counseling experiences.

methodsA previously developed questionnaire was adapted to the Malaysian context. A random sample of 364 registered CPs practicing in three states, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Putrajaya were invited for an online survey. The questionnaire for CPs explored their perceived patient knowledge about topical corticosteroid (TCS) use, their counseling practices, and perceived barriers to counseling. Thirty patients were also selected from five pharmacies i.e., six consecutive patients who consulted each CP were invited to participate in the patient survey by completing a checklist about their experiences regarding the counseling received.

resultsA majority (> 90%) of the CPs mostly explained to the patients that the medication was TCS and the frequency and duration of application but only 10% correctly identified scenarios needing medical referral. Only about half of the CPs always explained about side effects, strength, efficacy, and storage of TCS. The two main barriers were patients' negative perception of TCS (65.4%) and pharmacists' lack of time for counseling (49.7%). Counseling practice score was associated with CPs' age (aOR 0.86, 95%CI 0.78-0.94), pharmacists' recommendation on TCS use (aOR 0.11, 95%CI 0.02-0.61), and time spent on counseling (aOR 1.42, 95%CI 1.13-1.64). Patients mentioned they were counselled on the frequency and duration of application of TCS, and potential adverse effects. Most were not counselled on action to take when an adverse event occurs and the storage and use of leftover medication.

conclusionCPs counseling practices to their patient about the use of TCS requires improvement. Continuing education and hands-on training are needed for CPs regarding counseling about TCS use.

Indexed as

Dermatologic AgentsPharmacistsCounselingGlucocorticoidsHumansMalaysiaPatient Outcome AssessmentSurveys and QuestionnairesDermatologic AgentsGlucocorticoidsCommunity pharmacistCounselingTopical corticosteroid

Identifiers

PMID36243689
PMCPMC9569015

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.