Aliki Peletidi | Univeristy Of Nicosia (original) (raw)
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Papers by Aliki Peletidi
Hellenic Journal of Cardiology, 2016
Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice, 2021
Objective: The age-standardized prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) among the Cypriot po... more Objective: The age-standardized prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) among the Cypriot population in 2017 was estimated to be 5552 per 100,000. Therefore, the CVD prevention in Cyprus is of paramount importance. Pharmacists are one of the most accessible health-care professionals (HCPs) and the first port of call for the public. In Cyprus, there are 55.59 pharmacies per 100,000 inhabitants. Therefore, the role of Cypriot pharmacists (CPs) in primary CVD prevention is essential. This study aimed to explore both the existing and potential future roles of CPs in CVD prevention. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study employing structured interviews (SIs) was conducted. Initially, the CPs were identified through a list provided by the Cypriot Pharmaceutical Services. The researcher(s) then contacted CPs by telephone. Face-to-face interviews were scheduled based on the CP's availability. In total, 21 SIs were transcribed verbatim, coded, and analyzed thematically. SIs contin...
Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in Greece accounting for 4... more Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in Greece accounting for 48% incidences. Greece has high prevalence of smoking (40%), obesity (20.1%) and hypertension (27.4%) among its population. Therefore, prevention of modifiable CVD risk factors is essential. Pharmacists are one of the most accessible healthcare professionals and can have a role in CVD prevention. Purpose: This study aimed to explore Greek pharmacists’ views on their role in CVD prevention and the facilitators and barriers for such a role. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 pharmacists in 3 different Greek cities (Athens, Thessaloniki and Patras). The interview schedule consisted of 28 questions exploring pharmacists’ views and current and future role and services for CVD prevention. The interview schedule was ethically approved by Kingston University Ethics committee. All interviews were recorded and then transcribed. The transcripts were analysed thematically usin...
Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice, 2021
Aims The primary aim of the programme was a minimum of a 5% weight reduction of the initial weigh... more Aims The primary aim of the programme was a minimum of a 5% weight reduction of the initial weight, while the secondary outcomes were a reduction in participants’ body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), blood pressure (BP), AUDIT-C score and an increase in the Mediterranean diet (MD) score and an improvement in physical activity levels. Methods This 'before and after' study was a 10-week weight management (WM) programme and it was developed and delivered in community pharmacies in Patras chosen for convenience, thus consisting the first service of its type in Greece. The sample size was calculated ( n = 96) based on the mean BMI for a Greek male and female individual, and the standard deviation (SD) of weight at baseline of 14 kg. Results Nearly every participant enrolled in the 20 participating pharmacies, 97.4% ( n = 114/117), achieved the programme’s aim, losing at least 5% of their initial weight. The mean percentage of total weight loss of the 117 participant...
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the main cause of death globally, associated with 31% of all deat... more Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the main cause of death globally, associated with 31% of all deaths. CVD prevention is therefore of great importance. In primary care, pharmacists are the most suitable healthcare professionals (HCPs) to screen, educate and prevent CVD among the general public. This pharmacy practice-bases thesis aimed to investigate the potential role of community pharmacists in the prevention of CVD in Greece, using the UK as a reference country. The UK was chosen for its wealth of experience in delivering pharmacy-led public health services related to CVD with high success rates, while Greece was chosen for convenience, due to the researcher's local knowledge and network. The thesis is divided into four studies, using both qualitative and quantitative research methods, due to their respective strengths. In the first study, structured interviews were conducted with 40 community pharmacists - 20 in London and Surrey (UK) and 20 in Athens, Thessaloniki and Patras ...
Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice, 2019
Objective: In the United Kingdom (UK), cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the second main cause of d... more Objective: In the United Kingdom (UK), cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the second main cause of death (27.4%) and the leading cause of death in Greece, accounting for 48% incidences. Pharmacists, the most accessible health-care professionals, can have a key role in all stages of CVD prevention. This study aimed to explore the current and future role of pharmacists in CVD prevention, focusing on two European countries, the United Kingdom and Greece. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 40 community pharmacists; 20 in the UK and 20 in Greece. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed thematically. Findings: Five main themes were identified: current pharmacists' role, future pharmacists' role, communication, resources and tools, and knowledge. Whereas pharmacists in the UK use a patient-centered approach, Greek pharmacists use a paternalistic approach.Nevertheless, the majority found it difficult to initiate a consultation. Both the UK and Greek pharmacists primarily focus on secondary CVD prevention, while dispensing prescribed medications, which is their main current role. Greek pharmacists recognized a potential role in primary prevention and early screening of CVD through the initiation of CVD prevention services with a weight management program being proposed. Barriers identified for a role in CVD prevention included: high workload in Greece and reimbursement issues and interprofessional relations in the UK. Conclusion: Pharmacists in both countries perceive having a potential role in CVD prevention based on their accessibility and customer relations. The challenges include a closer working relationship with other clinicians, communication/consultation skills training, and developing a sustainable funding model for the service.
Pharmacy
Obesity constitutes one of the main modifiable risks of developing cardiovascular disease. In the... more Obesity constitutes one of the main modifiable risks of developing cardiovascular disease. In the UK, in 2016, 30% of the adult population were obese (30% of females and 29% of males). Community pharmacies are ideally situated to offer weight management (WM) services, enabling individuals to control and lose their excess weight. This study aimed at exploring the views of the pharmacy-led WM service providers in England. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 trained community pharmacists and pharmacy staff—11 (73.3%) from Kent, three (20%) from Kingston and Richmond and one (6.7%) from Hackney and City—offering the WM service, either owning or working in independent pharmacies or for pharmacy chains. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and anonymised. The analysis was conducted using thematic analysis. Three themes emerged: training and support, barriers and approach. Interestingly, service providers (SP) stated that obesity is a tough topic to talk about: the...
Purpose: Mobile health (mHealth) solutions have become an inevitable element of the healthcare la... more Purpose: Mobile health (mHealth) solutions have become an inevitable element of the healthcare landscape. The recommendation and use of mHealth is important, but it is often underutilised. This study was conducted in England. It aimed to determine the use and recommendation of mHealth apps by pharmacists, the public's perceptions of mHealth apps in general, and the awareness and use of health apps by diabetic patients in particular. Methods: The study used a mixed research approach, utilising a sequence of survey-based questionnaires with pharmacists and the general public, followed by semi-structured interviews with diabetic patients. Results: Pharmacists' questionnaires revealed that 56% of the respondents were aware of health apps, 60% of which recommended them to patients. Over 76% of the individuals owned a smartphone. The types of applications that saw the most use from the general public were health and lifestyle apps (24%), social apps (19%), followed by news (18%). Although eight out of nine diabetic patients owned a smartphone, only three used diabetes apps. Diabetic patients also suggested an interest in using diabetes apps to aid in optimising care via the utilisation of visual aids, reminders, recording patient data, social coaching, and remote collaboration with healthcare professionals (HCPs), but time was seen as the biggest obstacle to using a diabetes mHealth application. Conclusion: Despite the growing number of mHealth apps, the level of awareness and usability of such apps by patients and pharmacists was still relatively low. Nevertheless, the majority who used health apps found them to be beneficial, and the public agreed that it helped them to live a healthier lifestyle. Therefore, health apps have great potential in health promotion. Pharmacists are ideally placed to promote them and make patients more aware of them. To increase the use of these apps, it is necessary to first increase awareness and knowledge of these apps, both to the public and to healthcare professionals.
Conference Presentations by Aliki Peletidi
Hellenic Journal of Cardiology, 2016
Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice, 2021
Objective: The age-standardized prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) among the Cypriot po... more Objective: The age-standardized prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) among the Cypriot population in 2017 was estimated to be 5552 per 100,000. Therefore, the CVD prevention in Cyprus is of paramount importance. Pharmacists are one of the most accessible health-care professionals (HCPs) and the first port of call for the public. In Cyprus, there are 55.59 pharmacies per 100,000 inhabitants. Therefore, the role of Cypriot pharmacists (CPs) in primary CVD prevention is essential. This study aimed to explore both the existing and potential future roles of CPs in CVD prevention. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study employing structured interviews (SIs) was conducted. Initially, the CPs were identified through a list provided by the Cypriot Pharmaceutical Services. The researcher(s) then contacted CPs by telephone. Face-to-face interviews were scheduled based on the CP's availability. In total, 21 SIs were transcribed verbatim, coded, and analyzed thematically. SIs contin...
Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in Greece accounting for 4... more Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in Greece accounting for 48% incidences. Greece has high prevalence of smoking (40%), obesity (20.1%) and hypertension (27.4%) among its population. Therefore, prevention of modifiable CVD risk factors is essential. Pharmacists are one of the most accessible healthcare professionals and can have a role in CVD prevention. Purpose: This study aimed to explore Greek pharmacists’ views on their role in CVD prevention and the facilitators and barriers for such a role. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 pharmacists in 3 different Greek cities (Athens, Thessaloniki and Patras). The interview schedule consisted of 28 questions exploring pharmacists’ views and current and future role and services for CVD prevention. The interview schedule was ethically approved by Kingston University Ethics committee. All interviews were recorded and then transcribed. The transcripts were analysed thematically usin...
Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice, 2021
Aims The primary aim of the programme was a minimum of a 5% weight reduction of the initial weigh... more Aims The primary aim of the programme was a minimum of a 5% weight reduction of the initial weight, while the secondary outcomes were a reduction in participants’ body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), blood pressure (BP), AUDIT-C score and an increase in the Mediterranean diet (MD) score and an improvement in physical activity levels. Methods This 'before and after' study was a 10-week weight management (WM) programme and it was developed and delivered in community pharmacies in Patras chosen for convenience, thus consisting the first service of its type in Greece. The sample size was calculated ( n = 96) based on the mean BMI for a Greek male and female individual, and the standard deviation (SD) of weight at baseline of 14 kg. Results Nearly every participant enrolled in the 20 participating pharmacies, 97.4% ( n = 114/117), achieved the programme’s aim, losing at least 5% of their initial weight. The mean percentage of total weight loss of the 117 participant...
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the main cause of death globally, associated with 31% of all deat... more Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the main cause of death globally, associated with 31% of all deaths. CVD prevention is therefore of great importance. In primary care, pharmacists are the most suitable healthcare professionals (HCPs) to screen, educate and prevent CVD among the general public. This pharmacy practice-bases thesis aimed to investigate the potential role of community pharmacists in the prevention of CVD in Greece, using the UK as a reference country. The UK was chosen for its wealth of experience in delivering pharmacy-led public health services related to CVD with high success rates, while Greece was chosen for convenience, due to the researcher's local knowledge and network. The thesis is divided into four studies, using both qualitative and quantitative research methods, due to their respective strengths. In the first study, structured interviews were conducted with 40 community pharmacists - 20 in London and Surrey (UK) and 20 in Athens, Thessaloniki and Patras ...
Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice, 2019
Objective: In the United Kingdom (UK), cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the second main cause of d... more Objective: In the United Kingdom (UK), cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the second main cause of death (27.4%) and the leading cause of death in Greece, accounting for 48% incidences. Pharmacists, the most accessible health-care professionals, can have a key role in all stages of CVD prevention. This study aimed to explore the current and future role of pharmacists in CVD prevention, focusing on two European countries, the United Kingdom and Greece. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 40 community pharmacists; 20 in the UK and 20 in Greece. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed thematically. Findings: Five main themes were identified: current pharmacists' role, future pharmacists' role, communication, resources and tools, and knowledge. Whereas pharmacists in the UK use a patient-centered approach, Greek pharmacists use a paternalistic approach.Nevertheless, the majority found it difficult to initiate a consultation. Both the UK and Greek pharmacists primarily focus on secondary CVD prevention, while dispensing prescribed medications, which is their main current role. Greek pharmacists recognized a potential role in primary prevention and early screening of CVD through the initiation of CVD prevention services with a weight management program being proposed. Barriers identified for a role in CVD prevention included: high workload in Greece and reimbursement issues and interprofessional relations in the UK. Conclusion: Pharmacists in both countries perceive having a potential role in CVD prevention based on their accessibility and customer relations. The challenges include a closer working relationship with other clinicians, communication/consultation skills training, and developing a sustainable funding model for the service.
Pharmacy
Obesity constitutes one of the main modifiable risks of developing cardiovascular disease. In the... more Obesity constitutes one of the main modifiable risks of developing cardiovascular disease. In the UK, in 2016, 30% of the adult population were obese (30% of females and 29% of males). Community pharmacies are ideally situated to offer weight management (WM) services, enabling individuals to control and lose their excess weight. This study aimed at exploring the views of the pharmacy-led WM service providers in England. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 trained community pharmacists and pharmacy staff—11 (73.3%) from Kent, three (20%) from Kingston and Richmond and one (6.7%) from Hackney and City—offering the WM service, either owning or working in independent pharmacies or for pharmacy chains. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and anonymised. The analysis was conducted using thematic analysis. Three themes emerged: training and support, barriers and approach. Interestingly, service providers (SP) stated that obesity is a tough topic to talk about: the...
Purpose: Mobile health (mHealth) solutions have become an inevitable element of the healthcare la... more Purpose: Mobile health (mHealth) solutions have become an inevitable element of the healthcare landscape. The recommendation and use of mHealth is important, but it is often underutilised. This study was conducted in England. It aimed to determine the use and recommendation of mHealth apps by pharmacists, the public's perceptions of mHealth apps in general, and the awareness and use of health apps by diabetic patients in particular. Methods: The study used a mixed research approach, utilising a sequence of survey-based questionnaires with pharmacists and the general public, followed by semi-structured interviews with diabetic patients. Results: Pharmacists' questionnaires revealed that 56% of the respondents were aware of health apps, 60% of which recommended them to patients. Over 76% of the individuals owned a smartphone. The types of applications that saw the most use from the general public were health and lifestyle apps (24%), social apps (19%), followed by news (18%). Although eight out of nine diabetic patients owned a smartphone, only three used diabetes apps. Diabetic patients also suggested an interest in using diabetes apps to aid in optimising care via the utilisation of visual aids, reminders, recording patient data, social coaching, and remote collaboration with healthcare professionals (HCPs), but time was seen as the biggest obstacle to using a diabetes mHealth application. Conclusion: Despite the growing number of mHealth apps, the level of awareness and usability of such apps by patients and pharmacists was still relatively low. Nevertheless, the majority who used health apps found them to be beneficial, and the public agreed that it helped them to live a healthier lifestyle. Therefore, health apps have great potential in health promotion. Pharmacists are ideally placed to promote them and make patients more aware of them. To increase the use of these apps, it is necessary to first increase awareness and knowledge of these apps, both to the public and to healthcare professionals.