Background: In Australia, 10-16% acute hospital admissions is related to medication. Home medication review is offered to patients using multiple medications, those with narrow therapeutic-index. It is also recommended for people with recent changes to their medication, who were recently discharged from hospital or who have difficulties with their medication. Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify issues that arise during the process and explore the barriers experienced when changes to patient medication regimen are recommended. Setting: All interviews were conducted in Australia in patients’ homes in accordance with the appropriate guidelines. Method: This study used historical data from past consultations conducted in Australia. The audit was approved by the University of Wolverhampton Human Research Ethics Committee. It is based on anonymised historical data. Main outcome measure: This audit explored improvement in patient health outcomes and service satisfaction Results: Out of 28 home medication reviews, only two occasions were the pharmacist’s recommendations, actioned. On eight occasions, the clinic receptionist acknowledged the receipt of the report but it was not actioned and on 18 occasions no response was received from the doctor or the clinic receptionist. Conclusion: This audit suggests four important areas in the home medication review process require review; the initiation of home medication review, the requirement for diagnostics and recent history to be provided prior to the review, the need to for discussion between the doctors and pharmacists around the recommendations and whether they will be actioned or the reason if they will not be actioned.

Academic anxiety is a well-established, significant predictor of academic performance. Students with high levels of anxiety are unable to perform at the best of their ability. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of academic anxiety and its effects on academic performance and explore if social and family sources of anxiety have effects on academic performance. This was a cross-sectional study design utilising questionnaire based on pre-validated tools was used to determine the extent of academic anxiety and evaluate its effect on students with high and low academic performance. A sample of 132 pharmacy undergraduates from stages 3 and 4 enrolled at the University of Wolverhampton, participated in this project. Academic performance was significantly associated with factors such as test anxiety, academic competence and time management skills. A high proportion of the study population indicated low academic performance due to perceived course load and amount of study material assigned for each examination. A positive relationship was observed between social and family sources of anxiety and academic performance and stressors. This study also demonstrated that demographic variables, such as family history of anxiety and different stages may have positive or negative effect on academic performance. This study revealed the high level of academic anxiety among the MPharm undergraduates study sample and identified some influential sources which need to be addressed to improve students’ experience. It is important to develop strategies to facilitate students coping strategies and skills with academic life in order to improve future performance.

Digital Social Entertainment and Media is a broad term that covers multiple aspects which people use to interact with each other. The aim of this study was to explore the perception of students in higher education on the effect of digital social entertainment on their well-being. The study was a qualitative, questionnaire based included close-, case-based and open-ended questions. The questionnaire was administered to 112 University students who are studying at the University of Wolverhampton. The results showed that 93% used social media and most common reason was to contact family/friends. Most students responded to social media communications after midnight and 77% said they felt relaxed after watching a period of television for more than one hour. Music was also high ranked as a mean to improve mood. Most participants indicated that they would close all social media connections when affect their emotional well-being. This study concluded that DSEM is a common source affect lives of many people to different levels and extent, however the 57% of participants had positive experience on scale of 4 and 5 out of 5. They described it as the mean to remain connected to their loved ones, as important source for their learning and motivates people to change e.g. go to the gym. Fewer participants (29%, on scale of 4 and 5 out of 5) reported negative effects due to online pressure, bullying and reduction in face-to-face communication. Further larger scale study is required to confirm these findings.

Background: There are various factors which can lead to irreversible, reversible cognitive impairments. The progression of reversible cognitive disorders can be halted by identifying and treating the underlying cause. Aim of the Review: To expand pharmacists’ knowledge on underlying causes of cognitive impairment and investigate the possibility of pharmacist involvement in the identification of and/or protection against cognitive impairment. Method: A search of the literature was conducted through databases to identify studies in the English language of 1975-2016. Peer-reviewed articles and informational websites were included. Results: There are two broad classifications of cognitive impairment, irreversible and reversible cognitive impairment. Pharmacists can play an essential role in early detection of cognitive impairment caused by medications. Conclusion: Pharmacists have the potential to lead early detection of cognitive impairment caused by medications through appropriate management of the underlying problem. This may contribute to patients’ better health outcomes and quality of life.

Introduction: Stroke is the third highest disease in the United Kingdom to cause death; despite the severity of this healthcare issue, the public are not aware of the main characteristics, treatment and prevention factors involved. Aim: This study was conducted at the University of Wolverhampton in November 2018, with the aim to investigate the level of stroke awareness within the local university population. Method: This research project included 50 participants which after providing informed consent, carried out the questionnaire to test their general knowledge regarding stroke. The sample ranged from various demographical characteristics such as, gender, age, ethnicity and occupation. The questionnaire comprised of sections which tested knowledge regarding UK stroke statistics, risk factors and causes, stroke treatment, prevention and aftercare. Results: From the data collected, the main findings indicated that although there was a satisfactory degree of knowledge about stroke within the study population, there are certain areas which require improvement to ensure all stroke patients and potential sufferers a better chance of recovery. From the demographical analysis, it shows that females and participants in the 18-34years age group scored a higher proportion of correct answers compared to males and the elder generation. Conclusion: Overall, further education would be recommended within the community to ensure all the population is able to access information regarding stroke. Factors such as language barriers and various educational programmes for different age groups should be taken into consideration to ensure that public health awareness about this serious disease is made successful.

Background: OA is the commonest form of arthritis, affecting around 8.75 million people in the UK and a leading cause of pain and disability worldwide. According to the charity Arthritis Care, approximately 27,000 arthritis sufferers are under 25 years of age and, of these, around 12,000 are children. Pharmacists play a significant role in recognising early signs of OA, as early diagnosis can prevent unnecessary damage and limiting problems in the future and providing advice on medicines and lifestyle measures to ease symptoms. Aims: The aim of this study is to determine any differences in the general understanding of osteoarthritis condition and the importance of adherence to its treatments amongst students of varying educational backgrounds and staff. Settings and Design: Cross section study done by distributed a well-structured questionnaire designed specifically to this study and distributed to a random sample of population in UoW. Methods and Material: A structured questionnaire was designed for data collection by the student researcher based upon review of literature under the guidance of the project supervisor. It includes four parts of 20 multiple – choice style questions and 1 question for any other comments regarding the study or OA. Questionnaire was distributed to those who voluntarily stopped at a stand display. Results: Out of 50 participants there were 17 (34%) males and 33 (66%) females with common age group (< 22) years with percentage of (46%), most of participants were Asian/Asian British 16 (32%).(60%) of participants have heard about OA. Questions based on general understanding of OA and treatments such as part of joint affected, some signs and symptoms and medications yielded poor results. However, questions based on some signs and symptoms, some non - pharmacological treatment medications and life style changes achieved higher results. Participants had limited knowledge of some non – pharmacological treatments used in OA. Conclusion: This study shows that students and staff have an average general understanding about OA. Education, advice and access to information about OA are important. More programs about risk factors, lifestyle changes, causes and complications of OA should be implemented especially during national health awareness day to educate students and staff about the condition.

Since the year 2000, the world elderly population increased by 48%. Medical problems become more predominant with aging leading to polypharmacy. Biological changes can occur with aging resulting in increased susceptibility of older people to medications and their side effects. These changes may have greater effect in a frail person or person with number or long-term or chronic diseases and conditions. Atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, perindopril, amlodipine and paracetamol are commonly used medications among elderly. This paper has reviewed clinical trials and publications on these medications among elderly. It has been found that the safety and effectiveness of these medications among elderly had been evaluated with the main focus on the effectiveness of these medications on different medical conditions and less focus on the effects of the elderly pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic changes on these medications. Thus, more clinical trials are required to test elderly biological changes’ effects on these medications.

Introduction: Community pharmacies are generally a first point of contact with 1.6 million people visiting a pharmacy in England each day. Pharmacists are defined as experts in medicines. The role of a pharmacist has advanced from ‘product-focused’ through medicine to a ‘caregiver’ where they provide person-centred care to ensure suitable prescribing. As highlighted by Mark Koziol, chair of the Pharmacists’ Defence Association, the profession of pharmacy is not only to handle prescription but to take an interventionist approach to move into a population of health management role and save the United Kingdom healthcare industry millions of pounds. Aim: The aim of this project was to identify peoples’ perspective, on hypertension and the role of a pharmacist to manage hypertension. Methods: A mixed-methods health promotion study, questionnaire-based, followed by measurement of their BP, the study was conducted at the University of Wolverhampton (UoW), city campus. The sample was achieved through verbally inviting all those passing by the Millenium city building main entry (n=50). Results:Of the participants 50% were not aware of the free BP screenings offered in local pharmacies and 90% had never visited their local pharmacy for BP services. Although, the majority of the participants had adequate knowledge about the recommended BP reading and the complications of long-term hypertension, but the utilisation of the services community pharmacies offered and their general knowledge about prevalence hypertension were minimal. Conclusion: Blood pressure screening currently occurs in a small number of community pharmacies and the utilization of this service remains low. The public is in favour of receiving health support and services from the pharmacists in the community setting, therefore; pharmacists should take this opportunity and consider increasing their blood pressure measuring services.