How confident are pharmacists in providing pharmaceutical care on anticoagulants? A cross-sectional, self-administered questionnaire study in Borneo, Malaysia

ackground: Anticoagulants are the cornerstone therapy for the management of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and atrial fbrillation (AF). Pharmacists should be confdent and equipped with the skill and updated knowledge in managing anticoagulation therapy. Objective: To explore self-reported confdence level of pharmacists, perceived reasons infuencing their confdence and socio-demographic associated with high confdence level in the area of anticoagulation. Methods: A cross-sectional, self-administered questionnaire survey was carried out among fully registered pharmacists who work in selected government hospitals and clinics in Borneo, Malaysia, from January 2019 to February 2020. Results: Overall, responses from 542 fully registered pharmacists were obtained. Proportion of respondents who claimed confdent in providing necessary information to patient receiving warfarin (n=479, 88.3%) was signifcantly higher (p<0.001) compared to low molecular weight heparins (n=317, 58.5%) and direct oral anticoagulants (n=211, 38.9%). Respondents’ perceived reasons that may infuence their confdence level include experience in dealing with anticoagulants’ cases (n=469, 86.5%), knowledge on anticoagulants (n=394, 72.7%) and knowledge on diseases needing anticoagulation therapy (n=311, 57.4%). Practising as ward pharmacist and “always” dealing with anticoagulants during their practice were the socio-demographic that signifcantly associated with high confdence level of pharmacist in providing pharmaceutical care on all types of anticoagulants (p<0.05). Conclusion: Pharmacists were found more confdent in providing pharmaceutical care on warfarin compared to low molecular weight heparins and direct oral anticoagulants. Continuous educational and training programmes on the use of anticoagulants should be carried out to enhance pharmacists’ confdence in supporting patients’ care.

ackground: Anticoagulants are the cornerstone therapy for the management of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and atrial fbrillation (AF). Pharmacists should be confdent and equipped with the skill and updated knowledge in managing anticoagulation therapy. Objective: To explore self-reported confdence level of pharmacists, perceived reasons infuencing their confdence and socio-demographic associated with high confdence level in the area of anticoagulation. Methods: A cross-sectional, self-administered questionnaire survey was carried out among fully registered pharmacists who work in selected government hospitals and clinics in Borneo, Malaysia, from January 2019 to February 2020. Results: Overall, responses from 542 fully registered pharmacists were obtained. Proportion of respondents who claimed confdent in providing necessary information to patient receiving warfarin (n=479, 88.3%) was signifcantly higher (p<0.001) compared to low molecular weight heparins (n=317, 58.5%) and direct oral anticoagulants (n=211, 38.9%). Respondents’ perceived reasons that may infuence their confdence level include experience in dealing with anticoagulants’ cases (n=469, 86.5%), knowledge on anticoagulants (n=394, 72.7%) and knowledge on diseases needing anticoagulation therapy (n=311, 57.4%). Practising as ward pharmacist and “always” dealing with anticoagulants during their practice were the socio-demographic that signifcantly associated with high confdence level of pharmacist in providing pharmaceutical care on all types of anticoagulants (p<0.05). Conclusion: Pharmacists were found more confdent in providing pharmaceutical care on warfarin compared to low molecular weight heparins and direct oral anticoagulants. Continuous educational and training programmes on the use of anticoagulants should be carried out to enhance pharmacists’ confdence in supporting patients’ care.