Describing and Evaluating the Clinical Pharmacist's Role in a Canadian Multiple Sclerosis Clinic.

Background: The current approach to treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) involves use of disease-modifying therapies to slow progression of the disease, as well as the symptomatic management of fixed neurological deficits. Although pharmacists are uniquely positioned to support MS care teams with all aspects of medication management, their presence is rare among MS ambulatory care teams in Canada.

Objectives: To document the pharmacist's contributions and to evaluate the impact of the pharmacist's role following creation of a clinical pharmacist position in a Canadian MS clinic within a large, urban, university-affiliated, tertiary care centre.

Implementation of Virtual Interactive Cases for Pharmacy Education: A Single-Center Experience.

Patient case simulation software are described in pharmacy education literature as useful tools to improve skills in patient assessment (including medication history-taking and physical assessment), clinical reasoning and communication, and are typically well-received by students and instructors. The virtual interactive case (VIC) system is a web-based software developed to deliver deliberate practice opportunities in simulated patient encounters across a spectrum of clinical topics. This article describes the implementation and utilization of VIC in the undergraduate curriculum at one Canadian pharmacy school.

Incentivizing health care behaviors in emerging adults: a systematic review.

Purpose: For emerging adults with chronic medical diseases, the transition from pediatric to adult health care is often a time of great upheaval, commonly associated with unhealthy self-management choices, loss to follow-up, and adverse outcomes. We conducted a systematic review to examine the use of incentive strategies to promote positive health-related behaviors in young adults with chronic medical diseases.

Methods: The Medline, CINAHL, Embase, PsycInfo, and Cochrane databases were searched through June 2014.

Effects of a Longitudinal Interprofessional Educational Outreach Program on Collaboration.

Introduction: Interprofessional education (IPE) interventions lack clarity regarding development and implementation, impeding a clear understanding of their role and effectiveness. The aim of this study was to identify whether and how an outreach program targeting interprofessional health care teams can improve self-efficacy and interprofessional collaboration (IPC).

Methods: A cohort study was conducted to explore the effect of the program on individual self-efficacy and perceived IPC and investigate factors affecting interprofessional learning and collaboration.

Ascertaining problems with medication histories.

Background: Accurate and complete medication histories are not always obtained in clinical practice.

Objective: This qualitative research study was undertaken to explore the barriers to and facilitators of obtaining accurate medication histories.

Methods: Individual interviews, based on a structured interview guide, were conducted with 25 patients from both inpatient and ambulatory care clinic settings.

Insulin order sets improve glycemic control and processes of care.

Objective: The study objective was to evaluate the impact of a standardized preprinted subcutaneous correctional insulin order set on glycemic control, processes of care, and nursing satisfaction.

Methods: This was a controlled before/after, qualitative study using focus group interviews. The intervention group consisted of patients with diabetes who were admitted to the cardiovascular surgery ward.