title: Evaluating community pharmacy practice in Qatar using simulated patient method:acute gastroenteritis management.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate Qatari pharmacists' prescribing, labeling, dispensing and counseling practices in response to acute community-acquired gastroenteritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The simulated patient method was used in this study. Thirty pharmacies in Doha were randomly selected and further randomized into two groups: Face-to-Face (n=15) vs. Telephone-call (n=15) per simulated patient; 2 simulated patients were involved. Prescribing, labeling, dispensing and counseling practices were assessed. Data analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney and chi square tests at alpha=0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most pharmacists prescribed and dispensed medicines (96%), including antimicrobials (43.9%), antidiarrheals (36%), antiemetics (5.1%) and antipyretics (3%). Counseling practices were poor (62.1% in the face-to-face group vs 70% in the telephone-call group did not counsel simulated patients about the dispensed medicines; p-value=0.50). In more than one-third of the encounters, at least one labeling parameter was missing. The duration of each interaction in minutes was not significantly different between the groups [median (IQR); 3(4.25) in the face-to-face group versus 2(0.25) in the telephone-call group; p-value=0.77]. No significant differences in prescribing or dispensing behaviors were present between groups (p-value>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Qatar community pharmacists' labeling, dispensing, and counseling practices were below expectation, thus urging the need for continuous professional development.
authors.affiliation: Professor of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Qatar University . Doha ( Qatar ). mohamedizham@qu.edu.qa.
authors.forename: Mohamed I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Ibrahim
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice, Gulf Medical University . Ajman ( United Arab Emirates ). subishpalaian@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Subish
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Palaian
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Qatar University . Doha ( Qatar ). fa091335@student.qu.edu.qa.
authors.forename: Fatima
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Al-Sulaiti
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Qatar University . Doha ( Qatar ). se081561@student.qu.edu.qa.
authors.forename: Somia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: El-Shami
keywords: Community Pharmacy Services; Gastroenteritis; Patient Simulation; Pharmacies; Professional Practice; Qatar