Educational Debt and Income Among Pharmacists and Other Health Professionals.

Objective: Given the substantial increases in student educational loan debt in recent years, the objective was to assess trends in educational debt-to-income ratios for graduates of pharmacy, medicine, dentistry, optometry, and veterinary medicine programs in the United States in the 2017-2022 period.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 2017-2022 data for educational debt and income for select health professions was conducted. Annual income data were collected from the American Community Survey, and educational debt data were collected from health professions organizations.

Xenotransplantation could either be a friend or foe of healthcare equity.

There are critical shortages in donor organs available for transplantation in the United States, with some racial and ethnic groups facing disparities in access. Xenotransplantation is currently an experimental approach, but has the promise of significantly increasing organ supply. Here, we discuss inequities in access to transplantation and the potential role of xenotransplantation in alleviating these inequities.

Analysis of 10-year income trends for pharmacists and other select health professionals.

Purpose: To evaluate income trends among pharmacists and other select health professions (dentists, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and physicians) in the US for the 10-year period of 2012 to 2021, with special attention given to the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020 and 2021).

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of 2012 to 2021 income data for select health professions, collected from the American Community Survey. Univariate time series analysis was conducted using exponential smoothing to examine income patterns over the 10-year study period and forecast income for the next 5-year period (2022 to 2026) for each health profession.

Integration of Trauma-informed Care Into the Doctor of Pharmacy Curriculum.

Trauma-informed care (TIC) is a framework based on understanding and responding to individuals' experiences of psychological trauma (defined as harmful circumstances that have a lasting impact on emotional well-being), as well as fostering their sense of safety and empowerment. Health profession degree programs are increasingly integrating TIC training into their curricula. Although literature is scarce regarding TIC education in academic pharmacy, student pharmacists will likely encounter patients, co-workers, and peers who have experienced psychological trauma.

A diversity index to measure underrepresented minority enrollment in United States colleges and schools of pharmacy.

Introduction: With an underrepresented minority (URM) student population of <20%, colleges and schools of pharmacy (CoPs) in the United States (US) lag behind the national population, in which URMs account for >30%. Few tools are available to assist the >140 US CoPs in tracking progress in URM diversity among student pharmacists. Thus, the study's purpose was to address this gap by: (1) creating a "diversity index" for pharmacy programs; and (2) determining changes in diversity index scores between 2011 and 2020.

Impact of a stroke interprofessional simulation on health professional students.

Introduction: The objective was to describe the interprofessional stroke simulation delivered across three campuses with seven types of health professions students and the impact the activity had on the students.

Methods: An interprofessional stroke simulation event was completed with pharmacy, medical, nursing, physician assistant, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech pathology students across a multi-site campus. Pre-activity, demographic information was requested including age, gender, discipline, year in respective program, number of experiences in prior interprofessional events, and comfort working with other health care professionals.

Racial and ethnic disparities due to Medicare Part D Star Ratings criteria among kidney transplant patients with diabetes, hypertension, and/or dyslipidemia.

Policies such as Medicare Part D Star Ratings are designed to encourage medication adherence and facilitate positive health outcomes. Patients who have received a kidney transplant not included in assessment of Star Ratings measures may have worse outcomes. To determine if criteria for inclusion in assessment of Star Ratings medication adherence measures among kidney transplant patients with diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia lead to racial and ethnic disparities in who is included in this assessment.

Comparison of student performance in therapeutics and communications courses to outcomes of objective structured clinical examinations: A retrospective analysis.

Introduction: The objective was to examine the association between course grades and objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) performances in a pharmacy student cohort.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of demographics, final grades in the Therapeutics I through IV and Communications courses, and multiple OSCE scores (therapeutic knowledge and general communication skills [GCS]) was performed for two cohorts.

Results: Female students scored higher than male students on the warfarin OSCE therapeutic knowledge (P = .

Implementation of the cognitive apprenticeship model for enhancement of advanced searching skills in a pharmacy academia rotation.

Background: Pharmacy students are primarily taught literature searching skills didactically during their Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum. To effect change in the area of advanced literature searching skills, a pharmacy librarian joined with two Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) preceptors to design and implement a crash course on applied systematic searching skills for a cohort of four students.

Case Presentation: Through the cognitive apprenticeship model, a Systematic Searching Crash Course (SSCC) was implemented among a cohort of four academic APPE students.

A community-based partnership collaborative practice agreement project to disseminate and implement evidence-based practices in community pharmacy.

Background And Purpose: The objective of this study is to explore the impact of an educational intervention including (1) collaborative practice agreement (CPA)-focused lecture and (2) a student project in partnership with a community-based pharmacy on dissemination and implementation of CPAs in community pharmacy practice.

Educational Activity And Setting: A CPA-focused classroom lecture and related project were given to five sequential years of second-year pharmacy students enrolled in a community pharmacy elective course. Community pharmacist feedback provided at the completion of the project was compared to present-day data collected via telephone survey.

Examining Preparatory Testing and Other Factors Associated With Performance on the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination.

To evaluate whether the score on the Pre-Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (Pre-MPJE) predicts pharmacy students' performance on the MPJE, and to determine whether demographics, pre-pharmacy school factors, or pharmacy school factors affect MPJE outcomes. We performed a retrospective review of pharmacy school graduates' (N = 156) MPJE scores, Pre-MPJE scores, demographics, pre-pharmacy school academic performance factors, and pharmacy school academic performance factors. Bivariate and correlational analyses were conducted along with multiple linear regression models to determine the influence of variables on the MPJE total scaled score.

Resilience and First-Year Pharmacy Students' Academic Performance in a Pharmacy Math Course.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between academic resilience and academic success in Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students. A cross-sectional survey using the Academic Pharmacy Resilience Scale (APRS-16) was conducted in two cohorts of first year pharmacy (P1) students (n = 374) during fall orientation in 2019 and 2020. The following data were also collected from student records: demographics, pre-pharmacy grade point average (GPA), Pharmacy Math outcome (passing or failing the course), and Pharmacy Math final numerical grade.

Effects of Remote Proctoring on Composite Examination Performance Among Doctor of Pharmacy Students.

To determine the impact of remote proctoring on the academic performance of Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students. This was a retrospective, observational study that compared first professional year (P1) and second professional year (P2) pharmacy students' scores on eight composite examinations administered in spring 2020 (n = 387), the final three of which were proctored remotely, to that of a historical cohort of pharmacy students who took the same examinations in spring 2019 (n = 368). To assess whether remote proctoring affected academic performance, spring 2020 scores for examinations 6, 7, and 8 were compared to those of a historical cohort who took the same examinations in person with a proctor present in spring 2019.

Leadership lessons from administrators, faculty, and students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: Due to the largescale scope of the COVID-19 pandemic, strain on the higher education system in the United States has been extraordinary. Yet, with any crisis, there is the opportunity to learn, grow, and develop new knowledge and strategies to benefit educational programs moving forward. The purpose of this study is to describe the leadership lessons learned by academic pharmacy during the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of administrators, faculty, and students.

Effects of peer-led study sessions on first-year student pharmacist performance in pharmacy math.

Introduction: To evaluate effects of peer-led study sessions on performance in a traditionally challenging course, Pharmacy Math, among first-year student pharmacists (P1s).

Methods: Peer-led study sessions were conducted throughout fall 2019 for P1s. Sessions were led by two second-year student pharmacists and focused on study skills and course-related strategies, principles, and content.

Developing a Framework of Relationships Among Noncognitive Factors in Doctor of Pharmacy Students' Academic Performance.

To develop a framework of the effects of select noncognitive factors (grit, perceived stress, internal locus of control, and select Big Five personality traits) on pharmacy students' academic performance. A survey measuring select noncognitive factors was administered to two cohorts of first professional year (P1) pharmacy students (entering classes of 2019 and 2020, n=374) during fall orientation. Demographics, pre-pharmacy GPA, and P1 fall semester GPA were collected from student records.

Comparison of Black Student Enrollment in US Schools and Colleges of Pharmacy, Medicine, and Dentistry.

Promoting equity and diversity in health care must include increasing the population of minority health care professionals. The purpose of this study was to: evaluate changes in Black professional student enrollment in schools and colleges of pharmacy, medicine, and dentistry; determine whether significant differences exist in Black professional student enrollment among these schools; and rate schools on how well Black professional student enrollment reflects state populations and compare ratings between 2010 and 2019 (for purposes of this study, professional student refers to students enrolled in Doctor of Medicine [MD], Doctor of Pharmacy [PharmD], or Doctor of Dental Medicine [DMD]/Doctor of Dental Surgery [DDS] degree programs). Enrollment data were obtained through the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, Association of American Medical Colleges, and American Dental Association for fall 2010 through fall 2019.

Systematic review of noncognitive factors influence on health professions students' academic performance.

Increased importance has been placed on noncognitive skills in professional development and by accrediting bodies of health professions programs in recent years. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to conduct a comprehensive systematic review of evidence examining effects of academic resilience, grit, perceived stress, locus of control, and Big Five Personality Traits on academic performance of health professions students. A literature search of peer-reviewed, English-language articles describing select noncognitive factors was performed using seven databases.

Examination of the Relationship between Health-related Quality of Life and Academic Performance Among Student Pharmacists.

Introduction: First-year student pharmacists (P1s) may experience a number of stressors that may affect academic performance due to the transition into a professional program. Study objectives were to evaluate student demographic and pre-pharmacy factors associated with perceived stress among P1s, analyze relative change in perceived stress over the P1 year, and assess associations between perceived stress and academic performance.

Methods: The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) was administered three times to P1s: during orientation, midpoint of fall semester, and midpoint of spring semester.

Longitudinal examination of perceived stress and academic performance of first-year student pharmacists.

Introduction: First-year pharmacy students (P1s) may experience a number of stressors that may affect academic performance due to the transition into a professional program. Study objectives were to evaluate student demographic and pre-pharmacy factors associated with perceived stress among P1s, analyze relative change in perceived stress over the P1 year, and assess associations between perceived stress and academic performance.

Methods: The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) was administered three times to P1s: during orientation, midpoint of fall semester, and midpoint of spring semester.

Association between Posttransplant Opioid Use and Immunosuppressant Therapy Adherence among Renal Transplant Recipients.

Introduction: Little is known about the effect of posttransplant opioid use on adherence to immunosuppressant therapy (IST) among adult renal transplant recipients (RTRs).

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between opioid use and IST adherence among adult RTRs during the first year posttransplant.

Methods: Longitudinal data were analyzed from a retrospective cohort study examining US veterans undergoing renal transplant from October 1, 2007, through March 31, 2015.

Factors Associated with Student Pharmacists' Academic Progression and Performance on the National Licensure Examination.

To examine predictors of Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students' on-time graduation, dismissal from pharmacy school, and scores on their first attempt at taking the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX). A retrospective review of student records for the graduating classes of 2015-2018 at a college of pharmacy was performed. Data on the following were collected: student demographics/characteristics (age, gender, race/ethnicity, financial need), having an undergraduate degree, undergraduate science grade point average (GPA), Pharmacy College Admission Test composite score percentile, pharmacy school GPAs for the didactic portion of the curriculum, Pre-NAPLEX score, on-time graduation from pharmacy school, dismissal from pharmacy school, and outcome (pass/fail) of first-attempt at taking the NAPLEX.

Evaluation of naloxone access, pricing, and barriers to dispensing in Tennessee retail community pharmacies.

Objectives: Tennessee has one of the highest rates of opioid prescribing in the United States; therefore, the objectives of this study were to examine availability, pricing, and pharmacist-initiated recommendations of naloxone in retail community pharmacies in Eastern and Western Tennessee; to identify the most common barriers to naloxone dispensing and strategies to improve access; and to determine regional differences in access to naloxone.

Design: A cross-sectional survey conducted via telephone.

Setting And Participants: All retail community pharmacies located in the most populous counties in the eastern and western regions of Tennessee were eligible for inclusion, as were all retail community pharmacies in the 5 counties in each region that had the highest rates of opioid prescriptions (316 pharmacies identified in 12 counties).