Background: Recently, the employment retention rate (ERR) of hospital pharmacists has been decreasing and there are difficulties inconducting competency-based education (CBE) for pharmacy students. However, there is limited research on the impact of hospital pharmacists ERR on the quality of CBE. Therefore, this study aims to determine the relationship between the employment retention propensity (ERP) and the satisfaction with CBE of pharmacy students for patient consultation on the safe medication use. Method: A survey study was conducted using survey questionnaires of 5th year pharmacy school students who completed Introductory Pharmacy Practice Education from 2023 to 2024. Students’ perceptions of their ERP before graduation and satisfaction with CBE were assessed. This survey questions consisted of a 5-point Lickert scale and multiple-choice questions, expressed as percentages including multiple responses. Results: Among 57 students, 82.5% (n=47) responded. The most important determinant of employment retention was work environment (66.0%), followed by fair salary (59.6%). Compared to the satisfaction with patient consultation education on the safe medication use at tertiary hospitals, the satisfaction at general hospitals was higher (satisfaction: 66.7% at tertiary hospitals versus 80.0% at general hospitals). Overall satisfaction with the quality of CBE over time tended to gradually decline along with a decrease in pharmacists employment retention [satisfaction: 83% in 2019 vs 68% in 2024]. Conclusion Employment retention was positively related to work environment and salary level. Further research is needed to establish the relationship between students’ satisfaction with the CBE and the ERP for the future pharmacists.

Background: Recently, the employment retention rate (ERR) of hospital pharmacists has been decreasing and there are difficulties inconducting competency-based education (CBE) for pharmacy students. However, there is limited research on the impact of hospital pharmacists ERR on the quality of CBE. Therefore, this study aims to determine the relationship between the employment retention propensity (ERP) and the satisfaction with CBE of pharmacy students for patient consultation on the safe medication use. Method: A survey study was conducted using survey questionnaires of 5th year pharmacy school students who completed Introductory Pharmacy Practice Education from 2023 to 2024. Students’ perceptions of their ERP before graduation and satisfaction with CBE were assessed. This survey questions consisted of a 5-point Lickert scale and multiple-choice questions, expressed as percentages including multiple responses. Results: Among 57 students, 82.5% (n=47) responded. The most important determinant of employment retention was work environment (66.0%), followed by fair salary (59.6%). Compared to the satisfaction with patient consultation education on the safe medication use at tertiary hospitals, the satisfaction at general hospitals was higher (satisfaction: 66.7% at tertiary hospitals versus 80.0% at general hospitals). Overall satisfaction with the quality of CBE over time tended to gradually decline along with a decrease in pharmacists employment retention [satisfaction: 83% in 2019 vs 68% in 2024]. Conclusion Employment retention was positively related to work environment and salary level. Further research is needed to establish the relationship between students’ satisfaction with the CBE and the ERP for the future pharmacists.

Background: Recently, the employment retention rate (ERR) of hospital pharmacists has been decreasing and there are difficulties inconducting competency-based education (CBE) for pharmacy students. However, there is limited research on the impact of hospital pharmacists ERR on the quality of CBE. Therefore, this study aims to determine the relationship between the employment retention propensity (ERP) and the satisfaction with CBE of pharmacy students for patient consultation on the safe medication use. Method: A survey study was conducted using survey questionnaires of 5th year pharmacy school students who completed Introductory Pharmacy Practice Education from 2023 to 2024. Students’ perceptions of their ERP before graduation and satisfaction with CBE were assessed. This survey questions consisted of a 5-point Lickert scale and multiple-choice questions, expressed as percentages including multiple responses. Results: Among 57 students, 82.5% (n=47) responded. The most important determinant of employment retention was work environment (66.0%), followed by fair salary (59.6%). Compared to the satisfaction with patient consultation education on the safe medication use at tertiary hospitals, the satisfaction at general hospitals was higher (satisfaction: 66.7% at tertiary hospitals versus 80.0% at general hospitals). Overall satisfaction with the quality of CBE over time tended to gradually decline along with a decrease in pharmacists employment retention [satisfaction: 83% in 2019 vs 68% in 2024]. Conclusion Employment retention was positively related to work environment and salary level. Further research is needed to establish the relationship between students’ satisfaction with the CBE and the ERP for the future pharmacists.

Background: Recently, the employment retention rate (ERR) of hospital pharmacists has been decreasing and there are difficulties inconducting competency-based education (CBE) for pharmacy students. However, there is limited research on the impact of hospital pharmacists ERR on the quality of CBE. Therefore, this study aims to determine the relationship between the employment retention propensity (ERP) and the satisfaction with CBE of pharmacy students for patient consultation on the safe medication use. Method: A survey study was conducted using survey questionnaires of 5th year pharmacy school students who completed Introductory Pharmacy Practice Education from 2023 to 2024. Students’ perceptions of their ERP before graduation and satisfaction with CBE were assessed. This survey questions consisted of a 5-point Lickert scale and multiple-choice questions, expressed as percentages including multiple responses. Results: Among 57 students, 82.5% (n=47) responded. The most important determinant of employment retention was work environment (66.0%), followed by fair salary (59.6%). Compared to the satisfaction with patient consultation education on the safe medication use at tertiary hospitals, the satisfaction at general hospitals was higher (satisfaction: 66.7% at tertiary hospitals versus 80.0% at general hospitals). Overall satisfaction with the quality of CBE over time tended to gradually decline along with a decrease in pharmacists employment retention [satisfaction: 83% in 2019 vs 68% in 2024]. Conclusion Employment retention was positively related to work environment and salary level. Further research is needed to establish the relationship between students’ satisfaction with the CBE and the ERP for the future pharmacists.

No Abstract Available.
Humans

BACKGROUND: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the effect of metformin on weight loss was assessed to determine whether metformin should be recommended for the prevention or treatment of weight gain in patients receiving antipsychotic medication for the treatment of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. METHODS: The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for all published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from inception to June 2018. In addition, the references of relevant articles were also examined. Using Review Manager 5, the pooled estimates of the weighted mean difference (WMD) of the changes in body weight and body mass index (BMI) and the corresponding 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. RESULTS: The meta-analysis included 15 RCTs. The pooled analysis showed that compared with placebo, metformin led to significant reductions in body weight (WMD: −2.09, 95% CI: −2.59, −1.60; p<0.00001) and BMI (WMD: −0.90, 95% CI: −1.08, −0.72; p<0.00001). The effect of metformin on weight loss was greater in patients receiving olanzapine than in patients receiving clozapine (body weight, WMD: −2.39, 95% CI: −3.76, −1.02; p=0.0006 for olanzapine; −1.99, 95% C: −3.47, −0.51; p=0.009 for clozapine; BMI, WMD: −1.15, 95% CI: −1.74, −0.57, p=0.0001 for olanzapine; WMD: 0.76, 95% CI: −1.23, −0.28; p=0.002 for clozapine). CONCLUSION: Metformin can be recommended to manage olanzapine-induced weight gain in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. The magnitude of the reductionss in body weight and BMI implieds that the use of metformin to attenuate olanzapine-induced weight gain can minimize the risk of coronary heart disease.
Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Clozapine ; Coronary Disease ; Humans ; Metformin* ; Psychotic Disorders* ; Schizophrenia* ; Weight Gain* ; Weight Loss

BACKGROUND: Bone fractures are high in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Hyperglycemia and chronic kidney disease may increase the risk of fracture prevalence via altered bone metabolism, but whether glycemic control and kidney function are associated with the risk of fracture prevalence remains unclear. This study evaluated the relationship between glycemic control and baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and risk of fracture prevalence in older and middle-aged patients with T2DM. METHODS: Patients who underwent a general medical check-up between 2009 and 2013 were selected from the Korean National Health Insurance Sharing Service records. Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to assess the relationship between glycemic control and eGFR and risk of fracture prevalence. RESULTS: Cumulative fracture prevalence were higher in patients with T2DM, irrespective of whether they had tight or less stringent glycemic control (fasting blood glucose [FBG] ≥ 110 mg/dL). After adjustment for baseline age and FBG, tight and less stringent glycemic control was significantly associated with increased adjusted risk of fracture prevalence in middle-aged patients with T2DM (OR=1.13, 95% CI, 1.05–1.21, p=0.0005 vs OR=1.13, 95% CI, 1.06–1.20, p=0.0001), but not in older patients. Baseline eGFR was not significantly related to fracture prevalence in either older or middle-aged patients. CONCLUSION: Less stringent glycemic control significantly increased the adjusted risk of fracture prevalence in middle-aged patients with T2DM. Further studies are needed to confirm the effect of tight glycemic control on fracture prevalence.
Aged ; Blood Glucose ; Cohort Studies* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Fractures, Bone ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Humans ; Hyperglycemia ; Kidney ; Logistic Models ; Metabolism ; National Health Programs* ; Prevalence* ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Retrospective Studies*

BACKGROUND: Clinical Pharmacy Practice Experience (CPPE) is an important curriculum that offers students patient-centered disease prevention and treatment with evidence-based optimal pharmacotherapy for better clinical outcomes. However, few studies have evaluated the perception of pharmacy students regarding CPPE in tertiary and secondary hospitals. This study aimed to evaluate the perception of pharmacy students regarding the learning program of CPPE. METHODS: The survey questionnaire consisted of 15 self-administered questions regarding pharmacy practices, barriers, and improvement of practical training. Fourteen institutional pharmacies located in seven regions responded to a survey questionnaire from March 1 to June 30, 2017. The participants were pharmacy students doing clerkship in a hospital setting. RESULTS: The response rate was 73.6%. Thirty-five participants (22.4%) had used a hospital library, but 121 (77.6%) had never used the library for drug information resources. Eighty-one (50.0%) responded that clinical knowledge and drug information was the most beneficial practice. Thirty-seven (31.1%) respondents in the tertiary hospitals and 19 (46.3%) in the secondary hospitals answered that they were filling prescriptions during the daily break. On the other hand, 72 respondents (60.5%) in the tertiary hospitals and 17 (41.5%) in the secondary hospitals did literature research to prepare for presentation. CONCLUSION: More students in secondary hospitals continue to fill prescriptions during the daily break, as compared to those in tertiary hospitals. Therefore, the authors suggest self-directed learning to improve clinical performance and each institution considers offering onsite or online library service to improve evidence-based CPPE for pharmacy school students.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis is highly prevalent in overweight patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and can be reduced by physical activity via altered proinflammatory parameters. However, the association between the frequency of physical activity and the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis in prediabetic patients remains unclear and was evaluated in this study. METHODS: Utilizing the Korean National Health Insurance Sharing Service database, 58,391 adults, who met the research criteria and underwent a general medical check-up between 2009 and 2013, were selected for this study. To analyze the data, a logistic regression with a proc survey logistic procedure was used. RESULTS: The study revealed that the cumulative rheumatoid arthritis prevalence was lower in prediabetic patients compared to that in the control group (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.483–0.840; p=0.001). More frequent physical activity (≥3 days/week) was significantly associated with a reduced rheumatoid arthritis prevalence in both groups (OR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.039–0.521; p=0.044 vs. OR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.063–0.237; p=0.007). Additionally, a 3.8-fold higher risk of rheumatoid arthritis development was observed in prediabetic adults with less frequent baseline physical activity (≤2 days/week). Overall, in prediabetes, the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis was associated with the frequency of physical activity and not with the fasting plasma glucose levels. CONCLUSION More frequent physical activity is associated with a low risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis in prediabetic patients. Thus, further studies are needed to confirm the clinical outcomes of frequent physical activity in rheumatoid arthritis prevention and control.

Background: Recently, the Korean Association of Pharmacy Education has been focusing on competency-based education (CBE) and has established required areas of competencies to improve the graduation competency. However, competency-based assessment (CBA) tools for implementing CBE have not yet been developed for faculty members and students to successfully access the assessment tests. Moreover, the faculty members in charge in pharmacy schools have encountered various barriers in recruiting individuals with integrated clinical experience to act as virtual patients. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the advantages and limitations of applying CBA tool and faculty assessors in the development of CBE to ensure the reliability of this assessment. Methods: Utilizing CBA tool, the students’ communication skills and styles were assessed. students and faculty assessors were surveyed to evaluate the advantages and limitations of the CBA tool. Results: 8 assessors and 96 students participated in this study. 100% (8/8) of the faculty assessors and 77.4% (65/84) of the students reported that CBA tool is valuable to assess and improve student’s ability. 90.5% (76/84) of the students felt confident in applying knowledge to patient-centered care. CBA tool can be a valuable for the instructors in identifying the competency level of students but can also be associated with limitations in implementation to ensure the objectivity and reliability of the CBA. Conclusions The CBA tool can be valuable in assessing the level of students’ competency. Faculty assessors have the advantage of well-prepared themselves for patient roles, so that the time and cost required may be minimized.