5PSQ-184 Knowledge and attitude assessment of pharmacists toward telepharmacy in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

and the results are expressed as means± SD for continuous variables and as percentages (%) for categorical variables. Results 71 patients (53.3% women, mean age 82.7±6.7 (58-94) years) were treated with an AChEI. 74.6% (53 patients) were simultaneously treated with a DAP. Mean concomitant prescribed drugs (DAP and non-DAP) was 11.6±4.7 drugs (2-26). Prescribed AChEI were rivastigmine 56.3%, donepezil 38% and galantamine 5.6%. According to the classification of the systematic review of Durán et al, 71 patients were treated with a total of 95 DAP. The seven most frequently prescribed anticholinergic drugs were: quetiapine 39.4%, haloperidol 22.5%, ipratropium 21.1%, trazodone 14.1%, risperidone 12.7%, mirtazapine 7% and tramadol 5.6%. 57.7% of patients had dementia symptoms: confusional syndrome 31%, cognitive impairment 28.2%, mood disturbances 12.9% and somnolence 9.9%. The main destination was hospitalisation 85.9%, followed by hospital discharge 11.3% and death 2.8%. Conclusion and relevance A high percentage of elderly patients with dementia treated with AChEI were taking concomitant DAP, that present accumulated risk. The combined use of these drugs can increase cognitive impairment and also antagonise the effects of AChEI. The results of the study suggest the need for considering other treatment options or a decrease in the prescriptions for DAPs to reduce the pharmacological interactions and the related adverse effects of concomitant use.

Tele-pharmacy perception, knowledge and associated factors among pharmacy students in northwest Ethiopia: an input for implementers

“…The finding of this study revealed that 32.4% (95% CI = 27%-37%) of pharmacy students had adequate knowledge regarding telepharmacy. The result of this study is lower as compared with studies conducted in Malaysia 67% [ 4 ], Saudi Arabia 42% [ 19 ], and the United States of America 60% [ 8 ]. The significant disparity could be attributed to the fact that developing countries use fewer eHealth applications than middle-income and developed countries [ 20 , 21 ].…”

Knowledge, Perceptions, and Readiness of Telepharmacy among Hospital Pharmacists in Saudi Arabia

“…Previous research has demonstrated that telepharmacy reduces travel costs and saves time, which are considered a major barrier to patients in rural and distant settings, particularly the disabled and elderly, receiving healthcare services [ 4 , 9 ]. More than 91% of pharmacists in Alanazi et al’s study considered that employing a telepharmacy system may save them time and money [ 17 ]. The beneficial effect of telepharmacy in conserving patients’ resources was evaluated positively by study participants, with 91 percent agreement [ 18 ], according to Elnaem et al…”

“…There are also studies about the knowledge, perception, and willingness of the public to use telepharmacy services. Nonetheless, there are no studies on the knowledge, perceptions, and readiness of hospital pharmacists about telepharmacy in Saudi Arabia, except in one conference abstract [ 17 ]. So, the present study included pharmacists who are working in hospital pharmacies.…”

Pharmacists’ Perspectives on the Use of Telepharmacy in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

“…A total of 62.3% of participated pharmacists achieved good level of knowledge, which was higher than the finding from a Saudi Arabian study in 2021 (58%). 24 The reason for the above difference may be related to different sample sizes and evaluation methods. The percentage of pharmacists who meet the requirements of attitude toward using telepharmacy was 74.2%, in line with their readiness and active interest in the use of telepharmacy in pharmacy practice.…”