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Title: | Exploring views of pharmacists on antibacterial prescribing : a Maltese perspective |
Authors: | Attard Pizzuto, Maresca Camilleri, Liberato Azzopardi, Lilian M. Serracino-Inglott, Anthony |
Keywords: | Pharmacists -- Malta Antibiotics -- Research -- Malta Hospitals -- Malta Antibacterial agents |
Issue Date: | 2019 |
Publisher: | John Wiley & Sons Ltd. |
Citation: | Attard Pizzuto, M., Camilleri, L., Azzopardi, L.M., & Serracino-Inglott, A. (2019). Exploring views of pharmacists on antibacterial prescribing: a Maltese perspective. International Journal of Pharmacy Practice, 27(3), 256-263. |
Abstract: | Objectives: To investigate the perception of Maltese pharmacists to prescribe a selected number of antibiotics. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire entitled ‘Antibiotic Prescribing by Pharmacists’ was developed to study pharmacist perception to prescribing a selected number of antibacterial agents. The questionnaire was validated by a two-round Delphi technique and disseminated to all practising pharmacists (N = 930) during a 3-month period. Key findings: Two hundred and nine pharmacists answered the questionnaire. The majority of pharmacists (77%) were in agreement with pharmacists prescribing a selected number of antibacterials. Reasons given are that pharmacist prescribing would increase recognition of the participation of pharmacists within patient care and as members of the healthcare team. Protocol-based prescribing was the preferred model for prescribing by 60% of pharmacists. Half of the respondents (50%) feel competent to prescribe, 34% have no opinion and 16% do not feel competent at all. Co-amoxiclav for an uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection was the antibacterial that most pharmacists (51%) feel confident prescribing. When pharmacists were asked whether they feel comfortable prescribing other medications rather than antibacterials, 93% answered positively, with 83% feeling mostly comfortable prescribing lactulose solution. Conclusion: Pharmacists in Malta are in agreement with prescribing selected antibiotics for minor ailments. A collaborative approach between medical practitioners and pharmacists should be evaluated as a possible national structure towards achieving better antibiotic prescribing whilst giving patient access to the use of antibacterials as necessary. |
URI: | https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/48012 |
Appears in Collections: | Scholarly Works - FacM&SPha Scholarly Works - FacSciSOR |
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