• Adherence to prescription guidelines and achievement of treatment goals among persons with coronary heart disease in Tromsø 7 

      Pedersen, Elisabeth; Garcia, Beate Hennie; Halvorsen, Kjell H.; Eggen, Anne Elise; Schirmer, Henrik; Waaseth, Marit (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2021-01-21)
      Background - Adherence to clinical practice guidelines for coronary heart disease (CHD) reduces morbidity, mortality and treatment costs. We aimed to describe and compare adherence to prescription guidelines for persons with CHD, and explore its association with treatment goal achievement.<p> <p>Method - We included all participants reporting myocardial infarction, angina, percutaneous coronary ...
    • Assessing Potentially Inappropriate Medications in Nursing Home Residents by NORGEP-NH Criteria 

      Halvorsen, Kjell H.; Kucukcelik, Sinan; Garcia, Beate Hennie; Svendsen, Kristian (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2019-03-05)
      <p><i>Background</i>: Nursing home residents often have several conditions that necessitate the use of multiple medicines. This study investigates the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) and its associations with sex, age, number of medicines, and study location (rural/urban).</p> <p><i>Methods:</i> A cross-sectional study of long-term care residents from six nursing ...
    • Direct and indirect risk associated with the use of dietary supplements among persons with dementia in a Norwegian memory clinic 

      Risvoll, Hilde; Giverhaug, Trude; Halvorsen, Kjell H.; Waaseth, Marit; Musial, Frauke (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2017-05-12)
      Background: The use of dietary supplements (DS) is common among persons with dementia. Direct risks associated with DS use include adverse events and DS-drug interactions. A direct risk is a risk caused by the treatment itself. Indirect risks are related to the treatment setting, such as the conditions of use, and not to the treatment itself. Because dementia symptoms may reduce a person’s ability ...
    • Exploring stakeholders' perspectives on the quality of services provided through community pharmacies 

      Jakobsen, Ann Helen; Småbrekke, Lars; Chen, Timothy F.; Halvorsen, Kjell H. (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2023-06-02)
      Introduction - It is important to understand the factors impacting the quality of services provided through community pharmacies. Exploring how key stakeholders perceive good quality in these services is a logical first step. This could also inform the development of quality measures, such as quality indicators (QIs).<p> <p>Aim - To identify key stakeholders' perspectives on the quality of services ...
    • ‘Illuminating determinants of implementation of non-dispensing pharmacist services in home care: a qualitative interview study’ 

      Bø, Karl-Erik; Halvorsen, Kjell H.; Risør, Torsten; Lehnbom, Elin (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2023-01-13)
      Objectives - Medication errors are leading causes of hospitalization and death in western countries and WHO encourages health care providers to implement non-dispensing pharmacist services in primary care to improve medication work. However, these services struggle to provide any impact on clinical outcomes. We wanted to explore health care professionals’ views on medication work to illuminate ...
    • Influensavaksine, en spørreundersøkelse blant apotekkunder 

      Waaseth, Marit; Forsdahl, Siri; Halvorsen, Kjell H. (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2021-10-06)
      <p><i>Hensikt: </i>Å kartlegge apotekkunders erfaring med og vilje til å ta influensavaksine, samt utvalgte faktorers sammenheng med ­vaksineringsvilje, inkludert sannsynlighet for å ta covid-19-vaksine. <p><i>Materiale og metode: </i>Masterstudenter i apotekpraksis intervjuet apotekkunder ved hjelp av spørreskjema. Spørsmålene omfattet erfaring med influensavaksine, risikogruppestatus, vaksineringsvilje, ...
    • Interdisciplinary collaboration across secondary and primary care to improve medication safety in the elderly (The IMMENSE study) – a randomized controlled trial 

      Johansen, Jeanette Schultz; Halvorsen, Kjell H.; Svendsen, Kristian; Havnes, Kjerstin; Robinson, Eirin Guldsten; Wetting, Hilde Ljones; Haustreis, Stine; Småbrekke, Lars; Kamycheva, Elena; Garcia, Beate Hennie (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2022-10-26)
      <b><p>Background</b> Suboptimal medication use contributes to a substantial proportion of hospitalizations and emergency department visits in older adults. We designed a clinical pharmacist intervention to optimize medication therapy in older hospitalized patients. Based on the integrated medicine management (IMM) model, the 5-step IMMENSE intervention comprise medication reconciliation, medication ...
    • Interdisciplinary collaboration across secondary and primary care to improve medication safety in the elderly (IMMENSE study): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial 

      Johansen, Jeanette Schultz; Havnes, Kjerstin; Halvorsen, Kjell H.; Haustreis, Stine-Mari; Skaue, Lillann Wilsgård; Kamycheva, Elena; Mathiesen, Liv; Viktil, Kirsten Kilvik; Granås, Anne Gerd; Garcia, Beate Hennie (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2018-01-23)
      <p><i>Introduction:</i> Drug-related problems (DRPs) are common in the elderly, leading to suboptimal therapy, hospitalisations and increased mortality. The integrated medicines management (IMM) model is a multifactorial interdisciplinary methodology aiming to optimise individual medication therapy throughout the hospital stay. IMM has been shown to reduce readmissions and drug-related hospital ...
    • Interdisciplinary collaboration across secondary and primary care to improve medication safety in the elderly (The IMMENSE study) – a randomized controlled trial 

      Johansen, Jeanette Schultz; Halvorsen, Kjell H.; Svendsen, Kristian; Havnes, Kjerstin; Robinson, Eirin Guldsten; Ljones Wetting, Hilde; Haustreis, Stine; Småbrekke, Lars; Kamycheva, Elena; Garcia, Beate Hennie (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2022-10-26)
      Background - Suboptimal medication use contributes to a substantial proportion of hospitalizations and emergency department visits in older adults. We designed a clinical pharmacist intervention to optimize medication therapy in older hospitalized patients. Based on the integrated medicine management (IMM) model, the 5-step IMMENSE intervention comprise medication reconciliation, medication review, ...
    • Intervention fidelity and process outcomes of the IMMENSE study, a pharmacist-led interdisciplinary intervention to improve medication safety in older hospitalized patients 

      Johansen, Jeanette Schultz; Halvorsen, Kjell H.; Havnes, Kjerstin; Wetting, Hilde Ljones; Svendsen, Kristian; Garcia, Beate Hennie (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2021-12-21)
      What is known and Objective - The majority of hospitalized older patients experience medication-related problems (MRPs), and there is a call for interventions to solve MRPs and improve clinical outcomes like medical visits. The IMMENSE study is a randomized controlled trial investigating the impact of a pharmacist-led interdisciplinary intervention on emergency medical visits. Its multistep intervention ...
    • Knowledge of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance among Norwegian pharmacy customers – a cross-sectional study 

      Waaseth, Marit; Adan, Abdifatah; Røen, Ingrid L.; Eriksen, Karoline; Stanojevic, Tijana; Halvorsen, Kjell H.; Garcia, Beate Hennie; Holst, Lone; Ulshagen, Karen Marie; Blix, Hege Salvesen; Ariansen, Hilde Louise; Nordeng, Hedvig Marie Egeland (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2019-01-15)
      <p><i>Background</i>: Antibiotic resistance is a global health threat. Public knowledge is considered a prerequisite for appropriate use of antibiotics and limited spread of antibiotic resistance. Our aim was to examine the level of knowledge of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance among Norwegian pharmacy customers, and to assess to which degree beliefs, attitudes and sociodemographic factors are ...
    • Medication adherence among persons with coronary heart disease and associations with blood pressure and low-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol 

      Pedersen, Elisabeth; Primicerio, Raul; Halvorsen, Kjell H.; Eggen, Anne Elise; Garcia, Beate Hennie; Schirmer, Henrik; Waaseth, Marit (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2022-01-21)
      Purpose - To describe medication adherence to lipid-lowering drugs (LLDs), antihypertensive drugs, and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) among persons with coronary heart disease (CHD) and explore its association with low-density-lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure.<p> <p>Methods - Based on record linkage between the seventh wave of the Tromsø Study and the Norwegian ...
    • Perception of the Professional Knowledge of and Education on the Medical Technology Products among the Pharmacists in the Baltic and Nordic Countries—A Cross-Sectional Exploratory Study 

      Volmer, Daisy; Sokirskaja, Aleksandra; Laaksonen, Raisa; Vainio, Kirsti; Sandler, Niklas; Halvorsen, Kjell H.; Kjome, Reidun Lisbet Skeide; Gizurarson, Sveinbjørn; Muceniece, Ruta; Maurina, Baiba; Dauksiene, Jurgita; Ruuben, Lilian; Björnsdottir, Ingunn; Ratassepp, Tagne; Heinämäki, Jyrki (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2016-10-13)
      With increased development of medical technology (MT), new challenges emerge related to education and training of pharmacists and other healthcare specialists. Currently, only a few universities in the EU promote MT education and research. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the current status, views on, and need for the education on MT for the pharmacy students and practicing ...
    • Pharmacy employees' involvement in safeguarding persons with dementia who use dietary supplements: Results from a survey of Norwegian pharmacies. 

      Risvoll, Hilde; Musial, Frauke; Halvorsen, Kjell H.; Giverhaug, Trude; Waaseth, Marit (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2019-07-19)
      <p><i>Background - </i>Community-dwelling persons with dementia commonly use dietary supplements (DS), often without receiving help with the administration. Patient safety is a concern, as DS-drug interactions and adverse events are potential complications. Since many persons with dementia buy their DS in pharmacies, we investigated Norwegian pharmacy employees’ attitudes and professional practice ...
    • Prevalence of Different Combinations of Antiepileptic Drugs and CNS Drugs in Elderly Home Care Service and Nursing Home Patients in Norway 

      Halvorsen, Kjell H.; Landmark, Cecilie Johannessen; Granås, Anne Gerd (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2016-06)
      Introduction. Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are used to treat different conditions in elderly patients and are among the drug classes most susceptible to be involved in drug-drug interactions (DDI). The aim of the study was to describe and compare use of AEDs between home care service and nursing home patients, as these patients are not included in nationwide databases of drug utilization. In the ...
    • Safety and efficiency of a new generic package labelling: A before and after study in a simulated setting 

      Garcia, Beate Hennie; Elenjord, Renate; Bjørnstad, Camilla Hilda; Halvorsen, Kjell H.; Hortemo, Sigurd; Madsen, Steinar (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2017-09-20)
      Background: Medication errors are frequent and may cause harm to patients and increase healthcare expenses. <p> Aim: To explore whether a new labelling influences time and errors when preparing medications in accordance with medication charts in an experimental setting. <p> Method: We carried out an uncontrolled before and after study with 3 months inbetween experiments. Phase I used original ...
    • Self-medication Behavior with antibiotics: a national cross-sectional survey in Sri Lanka 

      Zawahir, Shukry; Lekamwasam, Sarath; Halvorsen, Kjell H.; Rose, Grenville; Aslani, Parisa (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2021-04-14)
      <b><p>Background</b> Antibiotic self-medication is common in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to evaluate the Sri Lankan public’s knowledge about and attitudes toward antibiotic use and self-medication, and factors associated with self-medication. <b><p>Methods</b> A national cross-sectional, interviewer-administered, survey of a random household sample (N = 1100) was ...
    • Self-reported medication use among coronary heart disease patients showed high validity compared with dispensing data 

      Pedersen, Elisabeth; Truong, Kieu Nhi Lise; Garcia, Beate Hennie; Halvorsen, Kjell H.; Svendsen, Kristian; Eggen, Anne Elise; Waaseth, Marit (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2021-02-24)
      <i>Objective</i> - To validate self-reported use of medications for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD) in a population-based health study by comparing self-report with pharmacy dispensing data, and explore different methods for defining medication use in prescription databases.<br><br> <i>Study design and setting</i> - Self-reported medication use among participants with CHD ...
    • A Stepwise Pharmacist-Led Medication Review Service in Interdisciplinary Teams in Rural Nursing Homes 

      Halvorsen, Kjell H.; Stadeløkken, Torunn; Garcia, Beate Hennie (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2019-11-05)
      <p><i>Background - </i>The provision of responsible medication therapy to old nursing home residents with comorbidities is a difficult task and requires extensive knowledge about optimal pharmacotherapy for different conditions. We describe a stepwise pharmacist-led medication review service in combination with an interdisciplinary team collaboration in order to identify, resolve, and prevent ...
    • Time distribution for pharmacists conducting a randomized controlled trial — An observational time and motion study. 

      Havnes, Kjerstin; Lehnbom, Elin; Walter, Scott R.; Garcia, Beate; Halvorsen, Kjell H. (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2021-04-30)
      Introduction - An expected future increase in older adults will demand changes in health care delivery, making development, implementation and evaluation of new health care models essential. The rationale for political decision-making concerning the implementation and application of interventions in health care should include cost estimations, specifically those involving clinical interventions. To ...