pharmacist

Exploring Job Satisfaction, Organizational Commitment and the Intention to Stay or Leave the Public Workforce Among Fully Registered Pharmacists (FRP) in Miri Hospital

Vol. 9 No. 1 (2023): Malaysian Journal of Pharmacy / Published: June 30, 2023

Abstract

Background: Pharmacy services have expanded tremendously over the past few decades to provide comprehensive patient-centered pharmaceutical care. This expansion inevitably places a growing demand on the pharmacy workforce. Positive correlations have been established between job satisfaction and key factors such as motivation, job performance, productivity, organizational commitment and most importantly patient safety and satisfaction. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among all fully registered pharmacists (FRPs) in Miri Hospital using a questionnaire that has been previously validated (n = 47). This questionnaire consists of four parts with aims to capture the demographic profile of the respondents, factors affecting job satisfaction, assessment of job satisfaction and organizational commitment and assessment of decision to stay or leave their current employer, the Ministry of Health (MOH). Participants were also invited to express their opinion on how to improve the pharmacy service in the public workforce through open- ended question. Results: A total of 42 pharmacists (response rate 85.7%) in Miri Hospital participated in this survey. Most of the respondents in this study were female (81%) and of Chinese ethnicity (78.6%), with a median age of 31 years old. The proportion of single and married respondents were similar (54.8% and 45.2% respectively). The length of employment of the respondents in MOH ranged from 3 to 13 years, with a median of 7 years. The mean job satisfaction and organizational commitment scores were 60.81 (standard deviation (SD) 8.70) and 56.48 (SD 7.21) respectively out of a maximum possible score of 90.0. 95.2% of the respondents indicated strong inclination to remain in their current job. Conclusion: Gaining insight into the factors which influence job satisfaction and organizational commitment holds significance in reducing the turnover rate of pharmacists and enhancing their productivity levels. Our study showed moderate job satisfaction and organizational commitment among pharmacists in Miri Hospital. Job satisfaction does not seem to differ for all respondents; nevertheless, female respondents were found to be more committed the organization.

The Effect of Pharmacist’s Interventions on Anaemia Management among Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Patients in Terengganu Tertiary Hospital

DOI: 10.52494/CCYK7186

by Zaiha Harun, Wan Najiah Wan Mokhtar, Norlaila Kartina Malini Mamat, Muhammad Zaidi Sattar, Chui Wei Fong and Tengku Nur Izzati Tengku Abd Kadir.

Vol. 7 No. 1 (2021): Malaysian Journal of Pharmacy / Published: June 30, 2021

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Abstract

Abstract Pharmacist’s interventions in anaemia management have been shown to improve clinical and economic outcomes. To determine the outcome of hemoglobin (Hb) level after the… Read More »The Effect of Pharmacist’s Interventions on Anaemia Management among Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Patients in Terengganu Tertiary Hospital

Self-medication practices among Malaysian consumer: A questionnaire- based study

DOI: 10.52494/KNEA2553

by Guat See Ooi, Chee Ping Chong and Mohd Baidi Bahari.

Vol. 1 No. 10 (2012): Malaysian Journal of Pharmacy / Published: October 1, 2012

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Abstract

This study was carried out to assess the prevalence of self-medication practice among Malaysian consumers who visit to community pharmacies. The data was collected using structured questionnaires which were randomly distributed to 500 consumers who visited to 10 conveniently selected community pharmacies in Sungai Petani, Kedah between August to October 2007. Out of the 500 questionnaire distributed, 105 responses were received for a response rate of 21.0%. Approximately 45% of the respondents have practiced self-medication in the preceding six months. The respondents mainly practiced self-medication for fever (35.2%), colds and flu (35.2%) and cough (31.4%). The most popular classes of medicines used by the consumers were analgesic/NSAIDs (32.4%), cold and flu medicines (23.8%) and antacids (18.1%). Only 27.6% of respondents were confident in self-managing medications or dietary supplements. The consumers mostly agreed that more advice on medications should be given by pharmacist (75.2%) and pharmacist has high level of professionalism on medication (65.7%). The study concluded that the practice of self-medication mostly involved management of minor ailments using non-prescription and over-the-counter medicines.

Outpatient Prescription Intervention Activities by Pharmacists in a Teaching Hospital

DOI: 10.52494/HJPB1043

by Chua Siew Siang, Kuan Mun Ni and Mohamed Noor bin Ramli.

Vol. 1 No. 3 (2003): Malaysian Journal of Pharmacy / Published: April 1, 2003

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Abstract

Prescriptions with prescribing errors received by an outpatient pharmacy of a teaching hospital were sampled. The types of pharmacist interventions on problematic prescriptions and its outcome were identified and documented. From a total of 6340 prescriptions processed by the outpatient pharmacy in a one-week period, 43 prescriptions (0.68%) required interventions by the pharmacy staff. These included 54% of the prescriptions that were incomplete or inadequately written (errors of omission) and 46% that contained the wrong drug, dose regimen, strength and dosage form (errors of commission). A total of 62 types of action were taken by the pharmacy staff to resolve the 43 problematic prescriptions. These include contacting the prescribers concerned (24.2%), clarifying with the patient or his/her representative (19.4%), contacting the prescriber’s nurse (17.7%) and checking the patient’s appointment or identity card (4.8%). Of the 43 problematic prescriptions, 48.8% were clarified without any change and dispensed while 32.6% were changed and dispensed. The study reinforces the importance of prescription screening and interventions by pharmacists in minimising preventable adverse events attributed to medication errors. It also emphasizes the necessity of interdisciplinary communication and cooperation in identifying and resolving prescribing errors and irregularities in order to achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes for the patient.

Noncompliance with Prescription Writing Requirements and Prescribing Errors in an Outpatient Department

DOI: 10.52494/GUBZ9393

by Kuan Mun Ni, Chua Siew Siang and Mohamed Noor bin Ramli.

Vol. 1 No. 2 (2002): Malaysian Journal of Pharmacy / Published: July 1, 2002

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Abstract

New prescriptions received by an outpatient pharmacy department of a teaching hospital were audited retrospectively for noncompliance with prescription writing requirements as well as to identify the types of prescribing errors. Of the 397 prescriptions screened in a single day, 96.7% had one or more of the legal or procedural requirements missing. These errors of omission, included prescriptions without the patient’s age, date, clinic or department where the prescription was issued, route of administration, dose and frequency of the drug to be used, strength, dosage form and quantity of drug to be supplied. Additionally, there were errors of commission involving 8.4% of the prescribed drugs. A total of 39 drug-drug interactions were identified; 15 were classified as potentially hazardous but could be overcome with careful monitoring of the patients. The results of the present study show a low compliance rate to the legal and procedural requirements in prescription writing. This indicates a need for pharmacy and medical educators to further emphasize the importance of writing clear and complete prescriptions. It also calls for the implementation of educational and monitoring programmes to bring more awareness to all concerned so as to reduce the rate of noncompliance and hence minimize the occurrence of prescribing errors.