The First PSS Self Care Guide CPE Talk – Vulvovaginal Candidiasis
Community pharmacists are the most accessible, well positioned and entrusted trained healthcare providers to the public. This important role requires pharmacists to be professionally competent and continuously updated. In an effort to update pharmacists' knowledge and skills by providing a systematic, evidence-based and stepwise approach for managing minor ailments, the PSS Community Chapter is spearheading the development of guidelines on a series of topics, which will be bundled to form the PSS Self Care Care Guide. The guide will provide pharmacists with a systematic overview of the topic, treatment strategies and prompt pharmacists to ask pertinent questions and provide counselling pointers, thereby ensuring patients and consumers get a consistent quality of care across institutions. The Community Chapter identified 14 topics to be covered in this first series. This project involves members from all chain pharmacies – Guardian, Watson’s, Unity, as well as NHGP and Singhealth polyclinics. We hope this guide would serve as the foundation to further enhance clinical capability in community pharmacists.
The first topic- "Vulvocalginal Candiasis" was introduced on 19 Nov 2015 with a talk by Ms Helena Hor from Watson's and Dr Lim Kiat Wee from SGH. They shared about facts, risks, symptoms and treatment of the condition, as well as case studies to aid greater understanding and application. About 80 pharmacists from various institutions attended the talk and the feedback was positive.
For those who missed the talk, fret not! The slides and case studies will be made available on PSS website and members may access the materials at their convenience. We look forward to your participation in the upcoming CPE talks where the remaining topics will be launched sequentially in the months ahead! Look out for more details coming soon!
From Left: Ms Helena Hor and Dr Lim Kiat Wee addressing the audience
Group photo with organising committee and fellow PSS members
From Left: Assoc. Prof. Christine Ten , Ms Chung Wing Lam, Mr Helena Hor, Dr Lim Kiat Wee, Ms Joy Chong, Ms Sharene Goh, and Ms Tan Seow Hwei
Acknowledgements for VVC Self Care Guidelines:
• Guideline drafted by Dr Lim Kiat Wee1 and Dr Lew Kaung Yuan2 and Ms Yow Si Min, Jasmine3
• Guideline updated by Ms Helena Hor Mei Ling3 and Ms Germaine Soo Gian Wan3
• Guideline vetted by Ms Chung Wing Lam3 and Ms Joy Chong Boon Ka3
• CE slides drafted by Dr Lim Kiat Wee1 and Dr Lew Kaung Yuan2
• CE slides updated by Ms Helena Hor Mei Ling3
• CE case studies drafted by Dr Lim Kiat Wee1
• Live CE presented by Ms Helena Hor Mei Ling3 and Live CE case study discussion facilitated by Dr Lim Kiat Wee1
• Coordinated by PSS community chapter committee members – Ms Kng Li Lin Grace 3 and Ms Sharene Goh Shiar Yin3
• Chief Editor: Asst Prof Christine Teng Bee Choon4
Contributor’s affiliation:
1. Singapore General Hospital
2. National Cancer Centre Singapore
3. Watson's Personal Care Stores Pte Ltd
4. National University of Singapore
