Retrospective analysis of oncology-focused pharmacy specialization theses in Türkiye

Background:

Clinical pharmacy specialization offers pharmacists the opportunity to develop skills essential for direct patient care, particularly in high-complexity areas such as oncology. Türkiye formally introduced the Pharmacy Specialization Exam (EUS) in 2017. Despite the field’s growth, limited data exist on the academic studies conducted as part of this specialization.

Objectives:

• Identify key topics covered in oncology pharmacy specialization theses in Türkiye.
• Evaluate the impact and acceptance of pharmacist interventions in clinical settings.
• Highlight the evolving role of pharmacists in cancer care based on academic research findings.

Research Question:

What are the focus areas, methodological trends, and main outcomes of oncology-related pharmacy specialization these completed in Türkiye between 2020 and 2024?

Methods:

Theses published between 2020 and 2024 from the Turkish Council of Higher Education’s National Thesis Center were identified using targeted keywords: “clinical pharmacy,” “oncology pharmacy,” “pharmaceutical care,” and “pharmacy specialization.” Suitable theses were reviewed, and key data points were collected and analyzed using Microsoft Excel.

Results:

A total of seven theses met the inclusion criteria. Key study topics included treatment complexity, drug-drug interactions, compliance with international oncology protocols, treatment adherence, and therapeutic drug monitoring. Of these, four studies used prospective designs and three used retrospective approaches. The total number of identified drug-related problems was 376, with 282 interventions reported. Intervention acceptance rates ranged between 83% and 100% (p < 0.05). Research was primarily conducted in adult chemotherapy units, and the studies were affiliated with six institutions.

Conclusions:

The reviewed theses reflect the increasing academic and clinical importance of oncology pharmacy in Türkiye. Findings highlight a strong orientation toward patient safety, pharmaceutical care optimization, and the enhanced clinical involvement of pharmacists. The integration of such research into oncology practice could significantly contribute to improving treatment outcomes.

Funding: Not applicable.