title: Venous thromboembolism: What pharmacists know? What do they need?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Venous thromboembolism is common in cancer. Low-molecular weight heparins are recommended for prolonged treatment (3-6 months or more if the cancer is active) and prevention of recurrence of venous thromboembolism in cancer. Community pharmacists are often faced with questions from patients. The main objective of this study was to describe the organization, practices and knowledge of pharmacists in care of venous thromboembolism in cancer patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive survey was conducted electronically in October and November 2013 with pharmacists in the Champagne-Ardenne region. The questionnaire collected data on the general organization of the pharmacy, management of outpatients with cancer and thrombosis, and the level of knowledge regarding recommendations on the management of thrombosis in patients with cancer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The participation rate was 31.6%. In 93% of cases, pharmacists had no particular expertise in oncology and/or supportive care. In addition, 96% did not know the existence of recommendations for "thrombosis in cancer." Finally, 49% gave the correct answer to the case report (low-molecular weight heparins).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Training sessions on the management of venous thromboembolism in cancer are currently available to pharmacists in the region. A new assessment of knowledge will be performed at the end of the year 2014. This regional experience is now extended to a national level (all French regions).
authors.affiliation: Institut de Cancérologie Jean Godinot, Département de Pharmacie, France Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Faculté de Pharmacie - Laboratoire EA4691, France jean-baptiste.rey@reims.unicancer.fr.
authors.forename: Jean-Baptiste
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Rey
authors.affiliation: Réseau Régional de Cancérologie Champagne-Ardenne, France.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jovenin
authors.affiliation: URPS Pharmaciens Champagne-Ardenne, France.
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kreit
authors.affiliation: Pharmacie Principale, Châlons en Champagne, France.
authors.forename: Jérôme
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sicard
authors.affiliation: Institut de Cancérologie Jean Godinot, Département de Pharmacie, France.
authors.forename: Damien
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Parent
authors.affiliation: CHU de Reims, Pharmacie, France ARS Champagne-Ardenne, OMEDIT, Châlons en Champagne, France.
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hettler
authors.affiliation: CHU de Reims, Laboratoire d'Hématologie, France Université de Champagne-Ardenne, Faculté de Médecine, France.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.affiliation: Leo Pharma, Medical Affairs, Voisins le Bretonneux, France.
authors.forename: Jean-Luc
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ducrocq
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D010595:Pharmacists; D012008:Recurrence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight
keywords: Pharmacists; cancer; recommendations; thrombosis