Background: Calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) is the most used phosphate binder among chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients in Malaysian hospitals. Hence, it is crucial for patients to have adequate knowledge and practice of CaCO 3 administration for effective phosphate-lowering therapy. Patient education serves as a keystone in inducing positive changes in patients' knowledge and practices. Aim: To evaluate the impact of pharmacist-led education sessions (PLES), an educational approach in improving patients' knowledge and practices regarding CaCO 3 administration. Method: A total of 57 CKD patients prescribed CaCO 3 were enrolled in a prospective, cross-sectional study at the nephrology unit of a public-funded hospital in Penang, Malaysia. Their baseline knowledge and practices of CaCO 3 administration were assessed using a validated questionnaire consisting of five questions in the knowledge and practice sections, respectively. A patient's total score of less than seven was considered unsatisfactory, and these patients were provided PLES by pharmacists experienced in kidney health. After an interval of 4 weeks, patients were reassessed with the same set of questions. Results: The median (interquartile range) knowledge and practice scores before PLES were 0 (0, 1) and 3 (3, 5), respectively, while the overall score was 4 (3, 5). A significant improvement was demonstrated after PLES in the knowledge score (3 (2, 4) (p < 0.001)), practice score (5 (5, 5) (p < 0.001)) and overall score (7 (6, 9) (p < 0.001)). All the questions assessing CKD patients' knowledge and practices showed significant improvement after PLES. Conclusion: Pharmacist-led education sessions have an impact on improving CKD patient's knowledge and practices regarding CaCO 3 administration.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.