บทนำ ไทยเภสัชศาสตร์และวิทยาการสุขภาพ Thai Pharmaceutical and Health Science Journal

Abstract

In this first issue of volume 14, the Journal has been proudly presenting five studies. The disciplines and issues of these research papers were somewhat diverse from laboratory work, to clinical and community care practice. For the laboratory work, a quest for antioxidants goes above and beyond the usual sources, plants, to microorganisms. The study entitled “Antioxidant Capacities and Total Phenolic Contents of Selected Actinomycetes sp.” found a promising source of antioxidants in the fungus-like Actinomycetes bacteria. This source of antioxidant could be more efficient than the plant source since it could be harvested in laboratory which does not use up that much space. However, more studies on a broader range of microorganisms with potential antioxidant synthesis and more studies are needed for a thorough understanding for industrial production. The second article is about herbs and nutritional supplements but dealt with the use of these products in patients with renal impairment. The study entitled “Effects of Patient Education on the Use of Herbal and Nutritional Supplements in Patients with Renal Impairment” examined a pharmacist-based education intervention to improve the knowledge and practice of the patients in using herbs and nutritional supplements. The found a significant short-term benefit of the educational program on knowledge and practice. Even though, the intervention did not improve the kidney function, that is no surprise since kidney function cannot be reversed anyway. Unfortunately the recent scientific knowledge could not help improve the declining kidney function, just mere maintaining it. Another study involving the use of medication entitled “The study Factors Associated with Medication Adherence Behavior among Hypertensive Patients” explored more in-depth understanding on various psychological factors. Enabling and reinforcing factors associating with the adherence to continuous medication use were elaborated. The findings could be useful in creating interventions based on these factors to promote medication adherence among hypertensive patients which need a life-long treatment. The last two studies involved psychological aspects of patient care. The study entitled “Symptom Distress, Need for Care, and Nursing Care Received in Hospitalized Palliative Care Patients” helped pave a better way to take care patients who need palliative care. At present, it could not be more relevant since patients with terminal illnesses from cancer and others are so prevalent. More studies on palliative care should be conduced with a broader range of aspects of care, and not only with nurses but caregivers and family members as well. More understanding on the care for this group of patients could help alleviate the stress among all parties involved. The last study entitled “Factors Influencing Self-management of End-stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis in Bhutan” helped healthcare providers understand more about how to approach and care for these ESRD patients. The findings could be applicable not only to Bhutanese context but other countries in the region that share similar cultures, norms and values and as well. Since more ESRD patients have been seen in worldwide, the findings could be useful at a global scale as well. This group of ESRD population poses a huge burden, economically and psychologically, to all parties involved. More understanding could bring about a better care and hence a less burden. The review article entitled “Acute Coronary Syndrome: Challenges of Emergency Nurse in Critical Care” is mainly for nurses. This is much needed article showing fine-tuned steps of patient care in the intensive and semi-intensive care setting. In this challenging endeavor of the Thai Pharmaceutical and Health Science Journal, we are hopeful to better the quality of the articles published. We urge more submissions from international research community, regional and global. We would like to thank in advance for any prospective submissions. Editor-in-Chief