Competency-Based Assessment in Experiential Learning in Undergraduate Pharmacy Programmes: Qualitative Exploration of Facilitators' Views and Needs (ACTp Study).

Newly registered pharmacists will need to possess higher-level competencies and, in Great Britain, there is an expectation that assessments are undertaken during experiential learning (EL). The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions and educational needs of practice-based EL facilitators of student pharmacists, undertaking competency-based assessments during EL. Semi-structured one-on-one interviews were conducted with EL facilitators working in the community, hospital, and primary-care pharmacies.

Competency-based assessment of practice-based experiential learning in undergraduate pharmacy programmes.

Objective: To obtain feedback from experiential leaning (EL) leads about how competency-based assessments could be undertaken by EL facilitators, and to scope existing EL assessment structures in undergraduate Masters in Pharmacy (MPharm) programmes across the United Kingdom (UK).

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted utilizing a nine-item on-line survey, consisting of five open-ended and four closed-ended question. All UK universities with MPharm programmes (n=30) were invited to participate in the survey.

Pharmaceutical care issues in lung cancer: can community pharmacists support patients receiving systemic anticancer therapy?

Objectives: Most patients receive systemic anticancer therapy (SACT) as day cases and toxicities, if they occur, are likely to appear first in primary care. Pharmaceutical care can be delivered by community pharmacists, but little is known about the epidemiology of SACT toxicities in the community and potential interventions to address these which raise the following questions: what are the typologies of SACT-associated toxicities experienced by community-based patients and what are the associated pharmaceutical care issues (PCIs)? The aim of this study was to identify toxicities and pharmaceutical care issues of patients prescribed SACT for lung cancer and understand the potential for community pharmacists to deliver aspects of cancer care including toxicity management.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of clinical records of patients prescribed oral and parenteral SACT in 2013-14, to describe patient characteristics; SACT toxicity; PCIs and episodes of unscheduled care.

Patient experiences of pharmacist independent prescriber-led post-myocardial infarction left ventricular systolic dysfunction clinics.

Objectives: Left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) is common following myocardial infarction (MI). Pharmacological management of secondary prevention is known to be sub-optimal. Integration of pharmacists into clinical teams improves prescribing and quantitative outcomes.

Survey of undergraduates' perceptions of experiential learning in the MPharm programme: The TELL Project.

Objective: To determine the perception of undergraduate pharmacy students of their experiential learning (EL) placements both in the community and hospital settings.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted utilizing a six-item online survey consisting of one open-ended and five closed-ended questions, the latter utilising five-point Likert-type scales ranging from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (5). All undergraduate pharmacy students from the School of Pharmacy (N=496) were included in the study.

Using forum theatre to teach communication skills within an undergraduate pharmacy curriculum: A qualitative evaluation of students' feedback.

Background And Purpose: Pharmacists need to learn communication styles which adopt a more consultative model. The objectives of this paper are to describe the use of forum theatre facilitated by actors to teach communication skills to pharmacy students and to highlight perceptions of the workshops.

Educational Activity And Setting: During the actor-led forum theatre, students redirected scenes depicting pharmacist-patient consultations.

Nationwide survey of experiential learning in MPharm programmes in UK Universities.

Objectives: To determine the current structure of experiential learning (EL) in Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) programmes in UK universities, and assess how they meet the standards specified by the General Pharmaceutical Council.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of staff in charge of EL in MPharm programmes was conducted, utilising a 31-item online survey, consisting of both open-ended and close-ended questions. Variables of interest were administrative aspects and structure of the EL component, tutor issues and placement sites.

Associations between obesity and cognition in the pre-school years.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that obesity is associated with impaired cognitive outcomes in the pre-school years.

Methods: Associations were examined between weight status at age 3-5 years and cognitive performance at age 5 years. Cognitive outcome measures were tests of pattern construction (visuospatial skills), naming vocabulary (expressive language skills), and picture similarity (reasoning skills).

Long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) added to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) versus the same dose of ICS alone for adults with asthma.

Background: Despite the availability of several evidence-based therapies and non-pharmacological strategies to improve control of symptoms and prevent exacerbations of asthma, patients with asthma continue to be at risk for mortality and morbidity.Previous trials have demonstrated the potentially beneficial effects of the long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) tiotropium on lung function in patients with asthma; however, a definitive conclusion on the benefit of LAMA in asthma is lacking, as is information on where in the current step-wise management strategy they would be most beneficial.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy and safety of a LAMA added to any dose of an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) compared with the same dose of ICS alone for adults whose asthma is not well controlled.

Long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) added to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) versus higher dose ICS for adults with asthma.

Background: Long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA), a class of drugs with proven effectiveness in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are being considered as an add-on option for adults with asthma whose condition is uncontrolled on inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). It is important to assess the safety and efficacy of LAMA add-on as an alternative to the prolonged use of higher doses of ICS, which are known to cause undesirable side effects in some people.

Objectives: To compare the effects of adding a LAMA to any dose of ICS versus increasing the dose of ICS, for uncontrolled asthma in adults.

Long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) added to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) versus addition of long-acting beta2-agonists (LABA) for adults with asthma.

Background: Poorly controlled asthma and preventable exacerbations place a significant strain on healthcare, often requiring additional medications, hospital stays or treatment in the emergency department.Long-acting beta2-agonists (LABA) are the preferred add-on treatment for adults with asthma whose symptoms are not well controlled on inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), but have important safety concerns in asthma. Long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) have confirmed efficacy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and are now being considered as an alternative add-on therapy for people with uncontrolled asthma.

Integration of an online simulated prescription analysis into undergraduate pharmacy teaching using supplemental and replacement models.

Objective: To describe student use and perceptions of online simulated prescription analysis following integration of supplemental and replacement models into pharmacy practice teaching.

Methods: Strathclyde Computerized Randomized Interactive Prescription Tutor (SCRIPT) is a simulated prescription analysis tool designed to support a pharmacy practice competency class. In 2008-2009, SCRIPT scenarios were released to coincide with timetabled teaching as the supplemental model.

Changes to inhaled corticosteroid dose when initiating combination inhaler therapy in long-acting β agonist-naïve patients with asthma: a retrospective database analysis.

Retrospective prescribing data were obtained from 46 general practice surgeries in NHS Scotland. Patients with asthma who were naïve to previous long-acting β agonist therapy and initiated combination inhaler therapy in 2008-2009 were classified according to the inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) dose in their combination inhaler compared with the highest dose of ICS they received before initiation. Among the 685 patients (541 (79.

Is the BTS/SIGN guideline confusing? A retrospective database analysis of asthma therapy.

Background: The British guideline on the management of asthma produced by the British Thoracic Society (BTS) and the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) describes five steps for the management of chronic asthma. Combination therapy of a long acting β2-agonist (LABA) and an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) is recommended as first-line therapy at step 3, although the dose of ICS at which to add a LABA is subject to debate.

Aims: To classify the inhaled therapy prescribed to patients with asthma in NHS Forth Valley according to two interpretations of the BTS/SIGN guideline and to evaluate the use of combination therapy in this population.

Audit of budesonide/formoterol prescribing for asthma in community pharmacy in the U.K.

The rapid action of the long acting beta agonist formoterol allows it to be used as both a preventer and reliever in the management of asthma. The Symbicort® SMART dosing regime has been shown to reduce the number of asthma exacerbations. The aim was to determine the current prescribing of Symbicort®, the prescribing of the SMART regimen and the co-prescribing of a short acting beta agonist with this regimen by means of an audit of prescriptions dispensed in a pharmacy multiple in the U.

How do patients use their nebuliser in the community?

Background: Nebulised therapy is commonly used in the management of patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There are guidelines setting out standards for maintenance of the compressor and replacement and care of consumables. This study surveys patients using nebulisers to ascertain the reported use and maintenance of the nebulisers and any side effects related to therapy.

The population risk of fractures attributable to oral corticosteroids.

Purpose: Previous studies have indicated a relationship between oral corticosteroid use and the risk of fracture, although without population-based comparators or exact dose information. The aim was to estimate the relative and population attributable risk (PAR) of admission for non-traumatic fracture among users of corticosteroids.

Methods: The design was a retrospective cohort study of the population of Tayside, Scotland aged 18 or over and resident between 1 January 1993 and 31 January 1997 (n = 280 645).

Changes in prescribing of inhaled corticosteroids (1999-2002) in Scotland.

Purpose: To investigate the trend in prescribing of inhaled corticosteroids and general practitioner (GP) consultations for respiratory diseases.

Methods: A longitudinal observation study of all prescriptions, from primary care, for inhaled corticosteroids dispensed in Scotland from January 1999 to May 2002 was undertaken. The main outcome measures were the trends in prescribing of inhaled corticosteroids and GP consultations for respiratory diseases.