Nordic Social Pharmacy and Health Services Research Conference (NSPC), June 15-16, 2011, Reykjavik
Several researchers from Bergen presented at the 5th Nordic Social Pharmacy and Health Services Research Conference. Dr. Linda Strand was one of the invited speakers, reflecting over 20 years of pharmaceutical care practice.
Main content
The biennial conference was this time held jointly with The Nordic Networking Group for Clinical Pharmacy (NNGCP). Thus the focus on clinical pharmacy was present, together with the actual theme for the conference: “Practicing pharmacy under economic constraints – putting the patient in focus”.
Several presentations from Bergen
Three researchers from the group presented their work at the conference.
PhD student Sofia Frost Widnes presented a qualitative study about risk perception among pregnant women with epilepsy.
Dr. Reidun L. S. Kjome presented some of the results from her thesis. The results were from her fourth journal article, “The prevalence of self-monitoring of blood glucose and costs of glucometer strips in a nationwide cohort”.
Associate Professor Lone Holst gave a presentation on the safety of use of echinacea and elderberry in pregnancy.
In addition, Jan Schjøtt from RELIS Vest (regional drug information centre) explained the functioning of the Norwegian drug information database and the corresponding website, and pharmacy student Hallvard Vigrestad presented results from his newly submitted master thesis – a study about Norwegian patients’ attitudes towards co-payment for health services.
Invited speakers evoked great interest
Dr. Linda Strand (USA), one half of the duo Hepler and Strand, which introduced the concept “pharmaceutical care” over 20 years ago, showed the conference participants what have been accomplished within the field so far. At the same time she reminded everyone that there is still much we can do to make practice better, and urged us to continue both research and “ringing doorbells”.
Professor Bryony Dean Franklin (GB), Professor Rachel Elliott (GB), and Dr. Tommy Eriksson (SWE) did also evoke interest among the participants, by lecturing on patient safety in hospitals, health economics, and methods for more rational medicine use, respectively.
New knowledge and new acquaintances
We would like to say a great “Thank you” to everyone involved in organizing the conference. An interesting and varied program resulted in new insights and new possibilities for collaboration. We are already looking forward to Sweden 2013!
