Content, delivery, and curricular integration: Bridging the gap between foundational sciences and pharmacy communications.

Background And Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess impact on knowledge, communication skills, and self-confidence of an oral presentation through integrated learning within a pharmaceutical sciences course and a pharmacy practice course within the first year of a three-year, accelerated pharmacy curriculum.

Educational Activity And Setting: First-year, first-quarter students were assigned to research, prepare, and give an oral presentation of an immunology topic pertaining to an autoimmune disease or an immune deficiency. In addition to assessments of content (immunology) and delivery (communications), students completed a 15-item, four-point Likert scale anonymous post-presentation survey, which provided an opportunity for the students to provide feedback about the assignments.

Assessment of the effect of communication skills training on communication apprehension in first year pharmacy students - A two-year study.

Introduction: The purpose of the study is to assess the impact of a communication skills course on communication apprehension (CA) in two cohorts of first-year (P1), first quarter pharmacy students over a consecutive two-year span.

Methods: The personal report of CA (PCRA-24) was administered at the beginning and completion (pre-post) of a skills-centered communication course to two cohorts of P1, first quarter pharmacy students over a consecutive two-year period. The delivery of the communications course was redesigned during this timeframe based on post-course analysis data and student feedback to incorporate opportunities for students to engage in active learning activities throughout the course.

Medication adherence skills training for African-American breast cancer survivors: the effects on health literacy, medication adherence, and self-efficacy.

There are gaps in research regarding medication adherence, self-efficacy in proper medication adherence, and health literacy among breast cancer survivors. This pilot randomized controlled study was conducted to provide information addressing health literacy with respect to medication adherence and self-efficacy in African American breast cancer survivors. The study sample consisted of an intervention group (n = 24) of medication adherence skills training (MST) and a control group (n = 24), with a total sample population of 48 participants.

A pilot randomized study of skills training for African American cancer survivors.

This study tested the efficacy of a psychosocial group intervention for African American breast cancer survivors based on the Cancer Survival Toolbox with the specific aim of decreasing distress and improving aspects of psychosocial functioning and quality of life. This pilot study utilized a randomized, repeated measures, experimental design. The study sample (N = 71) consisted of an intervention group (n = 23) of cancer survival skills training for 6 weeks and a control group (n = 48).

Coping skills among African-American breast cancer survivors.

Women with a diagnosis of breast cancer, particularly African-American women, face multiple barriers to survival. Although research exists regarding the unique barriers faced by African-American breast cancer survivors, there has been little research into the various coping needs or coping strategies used among African-American women. The purpose of this article is to provide information from an exploratory study of data investigating the coping skills of 30 African-American women diagnosed and treated for breast cancer.

Chemobrain in underserved African American breast cancer survivors: a qualitative study.

Although research has been conducted to address specific medical and psychosocial needs of breast cancer survivors, little has been done to address needs along the entire trajectory of care. One such need is chemobrain, a phenomenon recognized as an identifiable psychosocial cognitive change in breast cancer survivors. The purpose of this article is to present the findings of a qualitative study conducted with two focus groups of underserved African American breast cancer survivors.

Use of theory in low-literacy intervention research from 1980 to 2009.

Objective: To examine whether theories and/or models are used in interventions geared towards improving health-related outcomes for individuals with limited literacy skills.

Methods: Intervention studies (n=52) published between 1980 and 2009 that met inclusion criteria were reviewed to assess the topic addressed, type of theory and/or model used, and the extent of theory use.

Results: Twenty-one (40.

Health literacy and medication adherence in underserved African-american breast cancer survivors: a qualitative study.

The increased survival rate of breast cancer has brought attention to women who are beyond the diagnosis and treatment phases of breast cancer. Although research has been conducted to address specific medical and psychosocial needs of breast cancer survivors, there has been little attention placed on health literacy and medication adherence among this population. The purpose of this article is to present the findings of a qualitative study conducted with two focus groups of underserved African-American breast cancer survivors.