1. Barriers and Facilitators to Medication Adherence among the Vulnerable Elderly: A Focus Group StudyMartina Horvat, Ivan Eržen, Dominika Vrbnjak, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Poor medication adherence is a significant public health issue, especially among the vulnerable elderly, leading to increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. This study aimed to explore, identify, and understand the barriers and facilitators to medication adherence among vulnerable elderly individuals. We conducted a qualitative study using focus group interviews with 31 participants, including community nurses, social care services, volunteers from non-governmental organizations, patient association members, and informal caregivers, using semi-structured questions and inductive content analysis to gather and analyze qualitative data. Two main categories, “Perceived barriers” and “Facilitative interventions” were developed. The findings revealed multiple barriers, including medication-related barriers, patient-related barriers and barriers related to the healthcare system and healthcare personnel. Participants also highlighted the importance of facilitating interventions like medication management, health education, supportive social networks, and ensuring continuity of care. The study underscores the need for targeted strategies to improve medication adherence among the vulnerable elderly. Ključne besede: medication adherence, elderly, vulnerability, barriers, facilitators Objavljeno v DKUM: 23.09.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 7
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2. Case report: Clinical pharmacist prescriber in depression treatment in primary care settings: clinical case focused on prescribing practiceMatej Štuhec, 2025, drugi znanstveni članki Opis: Introduction: Pharmacotherapy of depression represents a significant challenge in the management of depression in primary care. Although effective treatments have been available, many patients are still not adequately managed. Clinical pharmacists represent one of the possible strategies in the management, although this practice is rarely seen outside the United Kingdom and the United States. Aim: The aim of the case was to evaluate the impact of clinical pharmacist prescribers on depression treatment. Methods: A longitudinal, observational, case-based medication review by a pharmacist prescriber was conducted for a 63-year-old Slovenian patient in a primary care ambulatory setting. The review included three structured medication review assessments performed by a clinical pharmacist prescriber at defined intervals: first observation, two months post-intervention, and six months after first observation. The pharmacists conducted medication reviews and prescribed medications like physicians, operating within a collaborative practice agreement as dependent prescribers. Predefined outcomes included diabetes management (HbA1c and blood glucose), lipid levels (S-LDL), pain (Visual Analogue Scale [VAS]), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9]), and quality of life (assessed via EQ-5D-VAS). The patient’s complete medication regimens were reviewed, focusing on dosage appropriateness, indication matching, potential drug-drug interactions, and medication adherence. Results: A 63-year-old male Slovenian patient diagnosed with depression, type 2 diabetes with polyneuropathy, and hypothyroidism underwent two medication reviews between December 2024 and July 2025. The pharmacist prescribed amitriptyline and semaglutide (accepted by the patient’s physician). Notable improvements were observed in glycemic control (HbA1c reduced from 9.9% to 8.2%), and quality of life (EQ-5D-VAS score improved from 30/100 to 80/100). Depression symptoms also resolved, with the PHQ-9 score improving from 11 to 4. Conclusions: This case study demonstrates that interventions by a clinical pharmacist prescriber during the medication review process resulted in improved clinical outcomes in the treatment of depression, as well as enhanced quality of life. It represents an important contribution to the development of pharmacist prescribing roles in depression management within primary care settings outside of the United Kingdom and the United States. Ključne besede: depression, pharmacist prescriber, clinical pharmacy, ambulatory care, medication review Objavljeno v DKUM: 15.09.2025; Ogledov: 0; Prenosov: 8
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3. Recommendations for wider adoption of clinical pharmacy in Central and Eastern Europe in order to optimise pharmacotherapy and improve patient outcomesKamila Urbańczyk, Sonja Guntschnig, Vasilis Antoniadis, Slaven Falamić, Tijana Kovacevic, Marta Kurczewska-Michalak, Branislava Miljković, Anna Olearova, Inese Sviestina, Attila Szucs, Matej Štuhec, 2023, pregledni znanstveni članek Opis: Clinical pharmacy as an area of practice, education and research started developing around the 1960s when pharmacists across the globe gradually identified the need to focus more on ensuring the appropriate use of medicines to improve patient outcomes rather than being engaged in manufacturing and supply. Since that time numerous studies have shown the positive impact of clinical pharmacy services (CPS). The need for wider adoption of CPS worldwide becomes urgent, as the global population ages, and the prevalence of polypharmacy as well as shortage of healthcare professionals is rising. At the same time, there is great pressure to provide both high-quality and cost-effective health services. All these challenges urgently require the adoption of a new paradigm of healthcare system architecture. One of the most appropriate answers to these challenges is to increase the utilization of the potential of highly educated and skilled professionals widely available in these countries, i.e., pharmacists, who are well positioned to prevent and manage drug-related problems together with ensuring safe and effective use of medications with further care relating to medication adherence. Unfortunately, CPS are still underdeveloped and underutilized in some parts of Europe, namely, in most of the Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries. This paper reviews current situation of CPS development in CEE countries and the prospects for the future of CPS in that region. Ključne besede: clinical pharmacy, cost-effective treatment, drug safety, drug utilization, health policy, medication adherence, medication errors, polypharmacy Objavljeno v DKUM: 27.05.2024; Ogledov: 190; Prenosov: 18
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4. Prevalence of mental disorders and high rates of absenteeism from work among healthcare professionals in Slovenia : a retrospective studyDarja Korošec, Dominika Vrbnjak, Gregor Štiglic, 2023, izvirni znanstveni članek Ključne besede: health professionals, occupational health, mental health, absenteeism, medication for mental disorders, COVID-19 Objavljeno v DKUM: 21.05.2024; Ogledov: 153; Prenosov: 19
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5. Medication use in uncontrolled pediatric asthma : results from the SysPharmPediA studyAmir Hossein Alizadeh Bahmani, Elise M. A. Slob, Lizan D. Bloemsma, Susanne Brandstetter, Paula Corcuerea, Mario Gorenjak, Susanne Harner, Simone Hashimoto, Anna M. Hedman, Michael Kabesch, Uroš Potočnik, 2023, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Background
Uncontrolled pediatric asthma has a large impact on patients and their caregivers. More insight into determinants of uncontrolled asthma is needed. We aim to compare treatment regimens, inhaler techniques, medication adherence and other characteristics of children with controlled and uncontrolled asthma in the: Systems Pharmacology approach to uncontrolled Paediatric Asthma (SysPharmPediA) study.
Material and methods
145 children with moderate to severe doctor-diagnosed asthma (91 uncontrolled and 54 controlled) aged 6–17 years were enrolled in this multicountry, (Germany, Slovenia, Spain, and the Netherlands) observational, case-control study. The definition of uncontrolled asthma was based on asthma symptoms and/or exacerbations in the past year. Patient-reported adherence and clinician-reported medication use were assessed, as well as lung function and inhalation technique. A logistic regression model was fitted to assess determinants of uncontrolled pediatric asthma.
Results
Children in higher asthma treatment steps had a higher risk of uncontrolled asthma (OR (95%CI): 3.30 (1.56–7.19)). The risk of uncontrolled asthma was associated with a larger change in FEV1% predicted post and pre-salbutamol (OR (95%CI): 1.08 (1.02–1.15)). Adherence and inhaler techniques were not associated with risk of uncontrolled asthma in this population.
Conclusion
This study showed that children with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe asthma were treated in higher treatment steps compared to their controlled peers, but still showed a higher reversibility response to salbutamol. Self-reported adherence and inhaler technique scores did not differ between controlled and uncontrolled asthmatic children. Other determinants, such as environmental factors and differences in biological profiles, may influence the risk of uncontrolled asthma in this moderate to severe asthmatic population. Ključne besede: pediatric asthma, asthma control, uncontrolled asthma, medication, adherence, inhaler technique Objavljeno v DKUM: 16.08.2023; Ogledov: 472; Prenosov: 48
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