They need not be powered to detect heterogeneity of treatment effect. They emphasize estimation and reporting of subgroup effects rather than hypothesis testing. Sampling properties (e.g., standard error) of descriptive analysis can be characterized, thus facilitating meta-analysis of subgroup effects. Predictive heterogeneity of treatment effect analyses estimate probabilities of beneficial and adverse responses
of individuals to treatments and facilitates optimal treatment decisions for different types of individuals. Procedures are also suggested to improve reliability of heterogeneity of treatment BML-275 2HCl effect assessment from observational studies.
Heterogeneity of treatment effect analysis should be identified as confirmatory, descriptive, exploratory, or predictive analysis. Evidence should be interpreted in a manner consistent with the analytic goal. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“Objective: To assess the effect of an educational intervention on pharmacists’
attitudes and knowledge about medication disposal.
Methods: In September 2005, a survey was mailed to 488 registered pharmacists serving as experiential education preceptors to Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences students in check details 27 states throughout the country. Mailing of this presurvey occurred 2 months before an educational intervention. An identical postsurvey was mailed to the 223 respondents to the presurvey 3 months after the intervention. The main outcome measure was change in pharmacist attitudes and knowledge about
medication disposal after educational intervention.
Results: 158 pharmacists (32% response rate) completed the pre- and postsurveys. Before the intervention, 47% of pharmacists perceived inappropriate medication disposal to be an environmental problem compared with 57% after the intervention (P = 0.03). Similarly, when asked about medication disposal, 10% correctly indicated BIIB057 purchase that patients could arrange for hazardous waste pick up compared with 20% postintervention (P < 0.01). Conversely, 19% incorrectly indicated that patients should wash medications down the sink compared with 5.6% postintervention (P < 0.01).
Conclusion: A brief educational intervention is effective at changing pharmacists’ attitudes and knowledge of inappropriate and environmentally unsafe medication disposal practices. Pharmacists receiving the educational intervention were more likely to report that they would recommend appropriate methods of medication disposal. Further educational efforts are necessary for improving pharmacists’ knowledge regarding safe medication disposal practices.