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Introduction: In a physician-pharmacist collaborative-care (PPCC) intervention, community pharmacists were responsible for initiating lipid-lowering pharmacotherapy and adjusting the medication dosage. They attended a 1-day interactive workshop supported by a treatment protocol and clinical and communication tools. Afterwards, changes in pharmacists' knowledge, their skills, and their satisfaction with the workshop were evaluated. Methods: In a descriptive study nested in a clinical trial, pharmacists assigned to the PPCC intervention (n = 58) completed a knowledge questionnaire before and after the workshop. Their theoretical skills were evaluated with the use of a vignette approach (n = 58) after the workshop and their practical skills were assessed by direct observation with study patients (n = 28). Results: The mean (SD) overall knowledge score was 45.8% (12.1%) before the workshop; it increased significantly to 89.3% (8.3%) afterwards (mean difference: 43.5%; 95% CI: 40.3%–46.7%). All the pharmacists had an overall theoretical-skill score of at least 80%, the minimum required to apply the PPCC in the trial. From 92.9% to 100% of the pharmacists' interventions with study patients complied with the treatment protocol. Discussion: In primary care, a short continuing-education program based on a specific treatment protocol and clinical tools is necessary and probably sufficient to prepare pharmacists to provide advanced pharmaceutical care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our findings help identify workplaces that have higher risks of COVID-19 outbreaks, such as workplaces with high on-site worker counts, that employ temporary foreign workers, that employ staff who have contact with clients or that are localized in an urban setting. This information is instrumental in better addressing occupational hazards and risks. Objectives: The aims of the studies are to describe COVID-19 outbreaks in the workplaces of the Monteregie Region, Quebec, Canada, and to evaluate potential risk factors for identifying at least one COVID-19 outbreak in these workplaces. Methods: An ecological retrospective cohort study was conducted using deidentified databases of COVID-19 outbreaks that occurred in workplaces from February 27, 2020, to June 30, 2021. Results: Among 30,489 workplaces studied, 897 workplaces with at least one COVID-19 outbreak were identified. These outbreaks were associated with a sizeable number of workers in the workplace (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 6.78; 95% CI: 5.43–8.47), the presence of temporary foreign workers (aOR = 2.26; 95% CI: 1.53–3.33), contacts with clients (aOR = 1.93; 95% CI: 1.68–2.21), and being localized in the Montreal Metropolitan Area (aOR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.09–1.45). Conclusions: These results enable the identification of potential risk factors for COVID-19 outbreaks in workplaces, with the aim of targeting workplaces where infection control and prevention measures might be enhanced or adapted to improve workers' health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To test a model of presenteeism on the basis of established and emerging theories separated into organizational and individual factors that could be mediated by psychological distress. Methods: This was a Web survey of 2371 employees (response rate of 48%) of a provincial government agency. We assessed theories with validated measures for organizational and individual factors. Results: Psychological distress was negatively associated to presenteeism, when controlling for sex, short-term work absence in the last year, and social desirability. Both individual and organizational factors were related to psychological distress. The most important factors included the presence of stress events in the preceding 6 months, extrinsic efforts (interruptions, work requirements), self-esteem as a worker, and internal amotivation. Conclusions: By identifying modifiable factors, our results suggest that the implementation of a work organization structure that promotes stimulation and accomplishment would reduce psychological distress and further presenteeism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]