Dietary Supplement Knowledge: RPh vs Health Food Employees
Dietary Supplement Knowledge: RPh vs Health Food Employees
The minimum sample size was achieved, with a total of 31 pharmacists and 27 health food store employees surveyed. A total of 24 venues refused to participate in the survey. Reasons for nonparticipation varied; the most common reasons were "too busy handling customers" and "skeptical about participating."
Demographic data (years of experience and background education) were collected from all participating pharmacists and 26 health food store employees. The median years of experience for pharmacists was significantly higher than that of health food store employees (15 years versus 4 years, P <0.001). Background education also was significantly different between groups (pharmacists, 100% bachelor's degree or greater; health food store, 27% bachelor's degree or greater, P <0.001; Table 1).
Pharmacists' mean dietary supplement knowledge scores (range, 0–15) were significantly higher than the scores of health food store employees (Table 2). Pharmacists' mean score was 8.42 correct responses (56%), while health food store employees' mean score was 6.15 correct responses (41%; P <0.001; Table 3).
Results from multivariate linear regression analysis comparing years of experience, education (no college compared with postgraduate courses or degree), total confidence (0–20), and occupation showed that years of experience and education level did not significantly affect knowledge scores. However, the model did show that on average, pharmacists answered 4.5 more questions correctly, even after controlling for the effects of years of experience, confidence, and background education (P <0.001).
The model accounts for approximately 30% of the variability between knowledge scores (adjusted R, 0.31; P <0.001).
Confidence score medians were calculated for pharmacists and health food store employees on an individual (Table 4) and cumulative (Table 2) score basis. Significant confidence score differences were seen for questions 1–3, 6, and 7, indicating that pharmacists were less confident than health food store employees in answering patient questions about CAM, agreeing CAM worked in their patients, believing CAM was safe for general users, and in CAM efficacy amongst self-reported CAM users (Table 4).
Pharmacists were less likely to have personally used CAM (61% versus 96%, P = 0.001). No significant differences in confidence using CAM informational resources or providing specific product–condition recommendations were seen.
Results from multivariate linear regression showed higher confidence scores significantly affected knowledge scores, such that for each point increase in total confidence scores, knowledge scores rose approximately 0.33 points (P = 0.003).
Multivariate linear regression demonstrated that higher confidence (P = 0.003) and pharmacist occupation (P <0.001) significantly affected knowledge scores. Background education and years of experience did not have a significant effect on knowledge scores (P >0.05).
Results
The minimum sample size was achieved, with a total of 31 pharmacists and 27 health food store employees surveyed. A total of 24 venues refused to participate in the survey. Reasons for nonparticipation varied; the most common reasons were "too busy handling customers" and "skeptical about participating."
Demographic data (years of experience and background education) were collected from all participating pharmacists and 26 health food store employees. The median years of experience for pharmacists was significantly higher than that of health food store employees (15 years versus 4 years, P <0.001). Background education also was significantly different between groups (pharmacists, 100% bachelor's degree or greater; health food store, 27% bachelor's degree or greater, P <0.001; Table 1).
Knowledge Assessment
Pharmacists' mean dietary supplement knowledge scores (range, 0–15) were significantly higher than the scores of health food store employees (Table 2). Pharmacists' mean score was 8.42 correct responses (56%), while health food store employees' mean score was 6.15 correct responses (41%; P <0.001; Table 3).
Results from multivariate linear regression analysis comparing years of experience, education (no college compared with postgraduate courses or degree), total confidence (0–20), and occupation showed that years of experience and education level did not significantly affect knowledge scores. However, the model did show that on average, pharmacists answered 4.5 more questions correctly, even after controlling for the effects of years of experience, confidence, and background education (P <0.001).
The model accounts for approximately 30% of the variability between knowledge scores (adjusted R, 0.31; P <0.001).
Confidence Assessment
Confidence score medians were calculated for pharmacists and health food store employees on an individual (Table 4) and cumulative (Table 2) score basis. Significant confidence score differences were seen for questions 1–3, 6, and 7, indicating that pharmacists were less confident than health food store employees in answering patient questions about CAM, agreeing CAM worked in their patients, believing CAM was safe for general users, and in CAM efficacy amongst self-reported CAM users (Table 4).
Pharmacists were less likely to have personally used CAM (61% versus 96%, P = 0.001). No significant differences in confidence using CAM informational resources or providing specific product–condition recommendations were seen.
Results from multivariate linear regression showed higher confidence scores significantly affected knowledge scores, such that for each point increase in total confidence scores, knowledge scores rose approximately 0.33 points (P = 0.003).
Regression Analysis
Multivariate linear regression demonstrated that higher confidence (P = 0.003) and pharmacist occupation (P <0.001) significantly affected knowledge scores. Background education and years of experience did not have a significant effect on knowledge scores (P >0.05).
Source...