Impact of pharmacist‐led education sessions on the knowledge and practice of calcium carbonate administration among Malaysian chronic kidney disease patients

Background Calcium carbonate (Ca CO 3 ) is the most used phosphate binder among chronic kidney disease ( CKD ) patients in Malaysian hospitals. Hence, it is crucial for patients to have adequate knowledge and practice of Ca CO 3 administration for effective phosphate‐lowering therapy. Patient education serves as a keystone in inducing positive changes in patients’ knowledge and practices. Aim To evaluate the impact of pharmacist‐led education sessions ( PLES ), an educational approach in improving patients’ knowledge and practices regarding Ca CO 3 administration. Method A total of 57 CKD patients prescribed Ca CO 3 were enrolled in a prospective, cross‐sectional study at the nephrology unit of a public‐funded hospital in Penang, Malaysia. Their baseline knowledge and practices of Ca CO 3 administration were assessed using a validated questionnaire consisting of five questions in the knowledge and practice sections, respectively. A patient's total score of less than seven was considered unsatisfactory, and these patients were provided PLES by pharmacists experienced in kidney health. After an interval of 4 weeks, patients were reassessed with the same set of questions. Results The median (interquartile range) knowledge and practice scores before PLES were 0 (0, 1) and 3 (3, 5), respectively, while the overall score was 4 (3, 5). A significant improvement was demonstrated after PLES in the knowledge score (3 (2, 4) (p < 0.001)), practice score (5 (5, 5) (p < 0.001)) and overall score (7 (6, 9) (p < 0.001)). All the questions assessing CKD patients’ knowledge and practices showed significant improvement after PLES . Conclusion Pharmacist‐led education sessions have an impact on improving CKD patient's knowledge and practices regarding Ca CO 3 administration.