Promoting Physical Activity Among Health Professional Students, Faculty, and Staff Members: A Competition-Based Intervention.

This program review presents data for the Deans' Fit Family Challenge (DFFC) and proposes future directions for improvement, informed by the Social Cognitive Theory. The DFFC is a multi-week physical activity competition held annually between three health professional programs, focusing on the development of self-efficacy, self-regulation, and social support of health-related fitness. Participants competed in teams of two and tracked their activity minutes weekly using the ChallengeRunner app or through manual entry.

A cross-sectional survey exploring organizational readiness to implement community pharmacy-based opioid counseling and naloxone services in rural versus urban settings in Alabama.

Background: Rural US regions experience lower naloxone dispensing rates compared to urban counterparts, particularly in Alabama. In light of this, strategies to enhance opioid counseling and naloxone services (OCN) in rural community pharmacies are critical. However, organizational readiness to implement OCN in rural versus urban contexts where resource networks may differ is not well understood.

Effects of Framed Mobile Messages on Beliefs, Intentions, Adherence, and Asthma Control: A Randomized Trial.

We aimed to examine the effects of framed mobile messages (messages emphasizing losses or gains because of a behavior) on young adults' beliefs about their daily Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS), intentions to take their ICS, adherence, and asthma control. College students (18-29 years) who owned a mobile phone and had a diagnosis of asthma with a prescription for an ICS were recruited. Participants ( = 43) were randomized to receive either gain- or loss-framed mobile messages three times per week for eight weeks.

Knowledge of Kratom among Alabama Pharmacists.

Kratom () is a botanical substance whose leaves produce stimulant- and opioid-like effects. Kratom use has increased precipitously in the United States (U.S.

Screening for clinically relevant drug-drug interactions between direct oral anticoagulants and antineoplastic agents: a pharmacovigilance approach.

Background: Use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in patients with cancer remains suboptimal due to the concern regarding potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs) with antineoplastic treatments. However, the clinical relevance of these DDIs is unknown.

Methods: We conducted a pharmacovigilance study of adverse event (AE) reports from the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System from 1/1/2004 to 12/31/2021.

A systematic review of digital health technologies for the care of older adults during COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, digital health technologies (DHTs) became increasingly important, especially for older adults. The objective of this systematic review was to synthesize evidence on the rapid implementation and use of DHTs among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: A structured, electronic search was conducted on 9 November 2021, and updated on 5 January 2023, among five databases to select DHT interventional studies conducted among older adults during the pandemic.

Medication use and contextual factors associated with meeting guideline-based glycemic levels in diabetes among a nationally representative sample.

Introduction: Based on the long-lasting diabetes management challenges in the United States, the objective was to examine glycemic levels among a nationally representative sample of people with diabetes stratified by prescribed antihyperglycemic treatment regimens and contextual factors.

Methods: This serial cross-sectional study used United States population-based data from the 2015 to March 2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES). The study included non-pregnant adults (≥20 years old) with non-missing A1C and self-reported diabetes diagnosis from NHANES.

Determinants to immunization information system implementation in independent community pharmacies.

Background: Immunization information systems (IISs) facilitate consolidated vaccination data within each state. Many have limited pharmacy participation, especially Alabama. As pharmacists increasingly engage in delivery of vaccines recommended across the life span, it is critical to understand the barriers to IIS implementation, particularly in rural community pharmacies where access to primary care may be limited.

Impact of a Multicomponent Educational Intervention on Community Pharmacy-Based Naloxone Services Implementation: A Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Despite US naloxone access laws, community pharmacists lack training and confidence in providing naloxone.

Objective: To assess the impact of the Empowering Community Pharmacists program on pharmacists' knowledge, perceived barriers, attitudes, confidence, and intentions regarding naloxone services implementation, as well as naloxone prescriptions dispensed.

Methods: A 3-month pragmatic randomized controlled trial was conducted from December 2018 to March 2019.

Evaluation of the impact of enhanced virtual forms and gamification on intervention identification in a pharmacist-led ambulatory care clinic.

Background: Adoption of healthcare technology in the ambulatory care setting is nearly universal. Clinical decision support system (CDSS) technologies improve patient care through the identification of additional care opportunities. With the movement from paper-based to electronic clinical intake forms, the opportunity to improve identification of gaps in care utilizing CDSS in the ambulatory care setting exists.

Increasing use of immunization information systems for routine vaccinations in independent community pharmacies: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Only 60% of adults nationwide and just 36.8% of adults in Alabama have immunization data recorded in an Immunization Information System (IIS). The objective of this study, which took place before the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, was to evaluate the impact of an IIS training program on pharmacists' IIS enrollment, participation, awareness, knowledge, intention, and attitudes.

Pharmacy students' personal and professional use of social media.

Introduction: Current literature does not describe behaviors or the overarching opinion of pharmacy students on the use of different types of social media for personal and professional purposes. The objectives of this study were to identify predominant beliefs among pharmacy students regarding use of social media for professional and personal purposes, characterize pharmacy students' opinions on the effects of social media on their professional career, and determine pharmacy students' perceptions of using social media as tools for learning and discovery.

Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was administered to pharmacy students at Auburn University (N = 450) and Lipscomb University (N = 212).

Assessing barriers and increasing use of immunization information systems in independent community pharmacies: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: As the number of providers administering vaccines increases, including pharmacists, there is a concern of fragmented immunization records in state and regional immunization information systems (IIS). In order for IIS to have complete records, it is critical that each provider administering vaccines, including pharmacists, participate and update the IIS each time a vaccine is administered to a patient. In Alabama, provider participation in the state IIS is not mandatory; as a result, less than 25% of adults over the age of 19 have immunization data recorded.

Developing a Theoretical Framework for Evaluating the Quality of mHealth Apps for Adolescent Users: A Systematic Review.

Objective: To assess adolescents' preferred mobile app features and to propose a framework for evaluating health-related mobile apps for adolescents.

Methods: PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ERIC, HealthIT.gov, and ClinicalTrials.

Impact of eHealth on medication adherence among patients with asthma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Asthma is an important public health issue in the United States. eHealth technology offers a potential solution to asthma treatment adherence, but the relative effect of various types of eHealth interventions has not been systematically studied.

Objectives: To systematically review the effectiveness of eHealth in improving adherence to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) among patients with persistent asthma, as well as the satisfaction of patients undergoing eHealth interventions.

Cognitive Computing and Watson: Implications for Hospital Pharmacy.

This installment explores the domain of cognitive computing, using the well-known Watson as an example. The migration of computer manufacturers from a focus on hardware to a focus on services suggests the potential of these tools. Considerations for use of these tools in the health care system are provided.

An Approach for Some in Advanced Pharmacy Informatics Education.

Computerization is transforming health care while the quantity and complexity of biomedical knowledge rapidly grows. Today, all clinicians use health information technology (HIT), but only some pharmacists need to be cross-trained in "all" that advanced informatics entails so they can devise new and better information systems to support the pharmacy practice of the future. We propose a dual approach to informatics education in pharmacy: incorporate fundamental informatics education into pharmacy curricula for all students; and train some students interested in becoming informatics experts to design, develop, implement, and evaluate novel HIT for pharmacy.

Development and delivery of an interdisciplinary course in mobile health (mHealth).

Background: Interdisciplinary practice is a primary focus within the United States health care system. Despite the existence of interdisciplinary educational efforts in pharmacy for many years, the practice only recently entered mainstream health care education. Informatics offers interdisciplinary educational opportunities.

Hospital Participation in Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs.

The prescription drug abuse epidemic continues to grow. This multifaceted problem requires a multifaceted solution. In this installment, we discuss prescription drug monitoring programs and their relevance to hospital pharmacies.

Are Pharmacists Participating in Postdischarge Patient Reminders?

In this column, we are making a short revisit to the technology that can assist in satisfaction of Meaningful Use criteria and can assist health systems that are increasing their population health initiatives to help improve outcomes while containing costs.

An Approach for All in Pharmacy Informatics Education.

Computerization is transforming health care. All clinicians are users of health information technology (HIT). Understanding fundamental principles of informatics, the field focused on information needs and uses, is essential if HIT is going to support improved patient outcomes.

Virtual Reality and Pharmacy: Opportunities and Challenges.

We often find inspiration in tech happenings. This month, we explore the opportunities and challenges for using one of the most popular tech gifts of 2016 to advance safe and efficacious medication use.

Are You Practicing in a Learning Health System?

Learning never ceases. While continuing education is important for all of us, we are not speaking of licensure requirements. We are speaking of learning within your health system that systematically incorporates knowledge gained through research and clinical care into individual care.

Precision Medicine: Considerable Potential Combined with Important Challenges.

While not necessarily a new idea, precision medicine has recently gained traction as the future of health care. The potential benefits are almost difficult to believe, while the challenges are multifaceted. We provide an overview of the current state of precision medicine.