The impact of clinical pharmacists in improving Jordanian patients’ health outcomes

Abstract

Objectives:To assess the impacts of clinical pharmacists on Jordanian patients’ health outcomes.Methods:A systematic review was conducted until July 2016 within EBSCO, Pubmed, Cochrane database, and ISI Web of Knowledge. Published studies evaluating the benefit of clinical pharmacy services on therapeutic, safety, humanistic, and economic outcomes in hospital or community settings in Jordan were targeted. Two reviewers independently extracted and assessed risk of bias using a pre-published validated tool. The literature search identified 130 publications of which 21 full texts met predetermined inclusion criteria.Results:Studies were of moderate quality. Pharmacist interventions resulted in an average reduction (95% CI) in systolic blood pressure of 5.45 mm Hg (2.95-7.92) and diastolic blood pressure of 3.03 mm Hg (1.09-4.96). The mean reduction in glycosylated hemoglobin was 0.75% (-0.49-1.99) and fasting blood sugar was 36.73 mg/dl (-19.7-93.1). The average reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was 2.36 (1.8-16.62) mg/dl and triglycerides was 20.16 (6.14-46.47). There was a minimal increase in the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol of 1.24 (1.64-4.11) mg/dl. Effects on safety along with humanistic and economic outcomes and long term effects remained unclear.Conclusion:Published evidence from Jordan highlights service opportunities for clinical pharmacists. Favorable but not always statistically significant impacts were found on therapeutic outcomes. More studies are needed to understand safety, humanistic, economic, and long-term outcomes. Therefore, the add-on benefits of this service to the health system are not well understood. Future studies of higher rigor and multi-perspective outcomes are mandated.

Pharmacists’ perception of their role during COVID-19: a qualitative content analysis of posts on Facebook pharmacy groups in Jordan

“… 30 Still, the role of clinical pharmacists in hospitals is still not clear in the health system in Jordan and is restricted to education rather than intervention. 31 …”

“…30 Still, the role of clinical pharmacists in hospitals is still not clear in the health system in Jordan and is restricted to education rather than intervention. 31 Unfortunately, it was reported that some pharmacy owners took advantage of the situation and tried to make extra profits. This would be illegal as medicine prices in Jordan are regulated and the same in all pharmacies around the country.…”

Clinical Pharmacists in Chronic Care

“…Interdisciplinary collaboration allows pharmacists opportunities to provide direct patient care or consultations by telecommunication in many different clinical environments, including disease management, primary care, or specialty care [16][17][18][19]. Pharmacists may manage chronic or acute illnesses associated with endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, or other systems [20].Clinical pharmacist researchers generate, disseminate, and apply new knowledge that contributes to improve HRQoL [21][22][23][24]. Within the system of health care, clinical pharmacists are experts in the therapeutic use of medications.…”

The impact of clinical pharmacist services on patient health outcomes in Pakistan: a systematic review

“…Since 1990, with pharmaceutical care introduction, pharmacists’ careers have evolved from single dispensary positions to patient-oriented health care [ 1 , 2 ]. In developed countries, pharmacists are sufficiently trained to play a vital role in pharmaceutical care [ 3 , 4 ]. However, in developing countries, pharmacists’ roles are gradually shifting toward ward rounds with other health professionals to monitor the patient’s progress, drug-related issues and communicate a medication therapy management plan [ 5 – 7 ].…”