Sketris, Ingrid
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10222/21751
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Item Open Access Community engaged scholarship to catalyze innovation: a case study of the uptake of portable inhalers for respiratory medication in a pediatric emergency department in Nova Scotia(Longwoods Publishing, 2016) Sketris, Ingrid S.; Hurley, K.; Sargent, J.; Hill-Taylor, B.This commentary, in response to Tamblyn et al. (2016), provides a case study of the uptake of metered-dose inhalers with spacers to deliver respiratory medication in a pediatric emergency department in Nova Scotia. Our objective was to demonstrate the opportunities and challenges in engaging researchers and their trainees in planning and evaluating a clinical practice change to improve drug therapy. We document the use of community engaged scholarship (including experiential learning) to increase the capacity and capability of researchers in academia and healthcare organizations, healthcare providers, and managers. We note lessons learned from Dalhousie University’s Drug Use Management and Policy Residency and four individual research projects conducted between 2006–2016.Item Open Access Measuring Knowledge Translation Uptake Using Citation Metrics: A Case Study of a Pan-Canadian Network of Pharmacoepidemiology Researchers(Taylor & Francis, 2016) Rothfus, Melissa; Sketris, Ingrid S.; Traynor, Robyn; Helwig, Melissa; Stewart, Samuel A.ABSTRACT Collecting citation metric data is important, as research funders are increasingly demanding impact assessment, but there is limited consensus on the most rigorous and accurate approach. We compared three sources of citation counts (Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus) to determine their reliability, comprehensiveness, and currency. We identified each tool’s strengths and limitations, particularly when considering team outputs. Citation counts varied, with poor overall agreement: Fleiss’ kappa, 0.075 (95% CI [0.01, 0.12]). Researchers, funders, and administrators need to understand each tool’s unique strengths and limitations and develop guidelines for use within specific contexts.Item Open Access A cost analysis of salbutamol administration by metered-dose inhalers with spacers versus nebulization for patients with wheeze in the paediatric emergency department: Evidence from observational data in Nova Scotia.(2016) Spin, P.; Sketris, I. S.; Hill-Taylor, B,; Ward, C,; Hurley, K.Item Open Access The relationship between type of drug therapy and blood glucose self-monitoring test strips claimed by beneficiaries of the Seniors' Pharmacare Program in Nova Scotia, Canada(2008) Sanyal, C.; Graham, S. D.; Cooke, C.; Sketris, Ingrid S.; Frail, D. M.; Flowerdew, G.BACKGROUND: The healthcare expenditure on self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) test strips under the Nova Scotia Seniors' Pharmacare Program (NSSPP) has increased significantly in recent years. The objective of this study was to identify the frequency and cost of claims for blood glucose monitoring test strips by NSSPP beneficiaries in the fiscal year 2005/06 and to explore the variation in the use of test strips by type of treatment, age and sex. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was conducted using pharmacy administrative claims data for NSSPP beneficiaries. Study subjects were aged > or = 65 years on October 1, 2004, received SMBG test strips in the 110 days prior to April 1, 2005, and were alive throughout the twelve month study period. Subjects were categorized into four groups: insulin only, oral antihyperglycemic agents (OAA) only, both OAA and insulin; and no reimbursed diabetes medications. Statistical analysis was performed to identify differences in expenditure by medication group and in frequency of SMBG test strips claimed by medication group, age, and sex. RESULTS: Of 13,564 included beneficiaries, 13.2% were categorized as insulin only, 53.5% OAA only, 7.2% both OAA and insulin, and 26.0% no reimbursed diabetes medications. Over half (58.7%) were femle. The insulin only category had the highest mean (+/- SD) number of SMBG test strips claimed per day (2.0 +/- 1.5) with a mean annual total cost of $615 +/- $441/beneficiary. Beneficiaries aged 80 years and above claimed fewer test strips than beneficiaries below 80 years. CONCLUSION: This population based study shows that in Nova Scotia the SMBG test strips claimed by the majority of seniors were within Canadian guidelines. However, a small proportion of beneficiaries claimed for SMBG test strips infrequently or too frequently, which suggests areas for improvement. The provincial drug plan covers the majority of the costs of test strip utilization, suggesting that the majority of test strips claimed did not exceed the maximum allowable cost (MAC) established in the program's MAC policy. Drug insurance programs need to work with healthcare providers to determine if patients are using test strips optimally; and to determine their impact on patient outcomes. In addition, they need to determine the cost-effectiveness of their SMBG test strip reimbursement policies.Item Open Access Drug Use Management and Policy Residency: A Service-Learning Application(American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 2005) Conrad, Patricia; Murphy, Joseph; Sketris, Ingrid S.Objectives. To establish, implement, and evaluate a drug use management and policy residency program within the context of a service-learning framework. Design. Residents completed a 4-month term in which they were paired with a preceptor (health care manager or policy analyst) to complete a project designed to assist their work and to provide the resident with an understanding of policy formulation related to pharmaceuticals. Assessment. A formative evaluation of the first 2 years of the residency was conducted using semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders and an examination of program documents. Recurring themes were identified and a set of “lessons learned” was generated. Conclusion. The Drug Use Management and Policy Residency Program adhered to service learning tenets and was a practical educational experience for residents.