Impact of Clinical Pharmacist Intervention on Chemotherapy Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice among Breast Cancer Women

Abstract

Background: Drug toxicity and chemotherapeutic side effects negatively impact breast cancer patients. Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of pharmaceutical interventions in improving breast cancer patients' knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding breast cancer chemotherapy. Patients and methods: A pre-post clinical pharmacist interventional study was conducted at the chemotherapy ward of AlHabbobi Hospital in AlNasiriyah City, located in the south of Iraq. The study involved fifty women with breast cancer who were provided with comprehensive pharmaceutical care and a self-compiled medication knowledge guide pamphlet. Two sessions were conducted for each patient; the first was conducted after the patient filled out a questionnaire at baseline and the second was conducted after 21 days, depending on the chemotherapy schedule. Each session lasted for approximately 45 minutes. Participants were requested to fill out the questionnaire at the end of the study. Within the group, a paired t-test was used to compare the changes before and after the invention. Results: The clinical pharmacist’s intervention significantly increased breast cancer patients' knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding chemotherapy. After the intervention, there was a significant increase (P value < 0.05) in patients' answers to the knowledge domain accuracy. Many of the answers improved from 92% to 100% accuracy Conclusion: The intervention of a clinical pharmacist is crucial in reducing complications and adverse effects associated with breast cancer chemotherapy

Keywords

• Attitude
• Chemotherapy
• Knowledge
• Practice
• Pharmaceutical care