Impact of a hormonal contraceptive training program for pharmacists.

Background: Several states have passed legislation allowing pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptives in an effort to expand access to family planning options for patients.

Objective: The primary objective of this research is to evaluate participant knowledge and perception, attitudes, and preparedness regarding pharmacist-prescribed hormonal contraception before and after completion of the American Pharmacists Association's interactive online training program, "Increasing Access to Hormonal Contraceptive Products: A Training Program for Pharmacists."

Methods: Training program participants were assessed on their knowledge after each module, and they were invited to participate in a pre- and postsurvey about practice environments and opinions related to hormonal contraceptive prescribing.

Curricular Considerations for Preparing Student Pharmacists to Prescribe Hormonal Contraception.

In 2014, the pharmacist's role in the United States expanded to include prescribing hormonal contraception, and this practice is currently addressed by policy in 14 states and the District of Columbia. Training and education requirements for this expanded scope of practice vary between states and are changing rapidly. The objective of this review is to examine how student pharmacists are taught to provide contraceptive care, specifically for prescribing ongoing hormonal contraception and emergency contraception, and to identify potential gaps in the United States pharmacy curricula related to contraception.

Barriers to and factors influencing the pursuit of pharmacy student research.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to identify perceived barriers and factors influencing student pursuit of research during pharmacy school.

Methods: A voluntary, paper-based or electronic questionnaire was administered to all pharmacy students at a private college of pharmacy in mandatory courses during the 2016-2017 academic year. Survey questions collected information pertaining to demographics, factors influencing student pursuit of research, and barriers to pursuit of research.

Effect of a Simulated Activity on Student Ability, Preparedness, and Confidence in Applying the Pharmacists' Patient Care Process to Contraceptive Prescribing.

Several states now permit pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraception. Consequently, some schools of pharmacy now incorporate activities intending to prepare students to offer this service. This study aimed to assess the impact of a simulated activity on student pharmacists' readiness for, ability to use, and confidence in applying the Pharmacists Patient Care Process along with the United States Medical Eligibility Criteria to a patient seeking contraception.

Faculty insights regarding incorporation of gender- and sex-related differences in the PharmD curriculum: Phase 2.

Background: While pharmacists should be aware of gender and sex-related differences in treatment related decisions, this is not a required doctor of pharmacy curricular component. A regional pilot study demonstrated that approximately half of pharmacy practice faculty discussed these differences in their content area. The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent of inclusion of gender and sex-related differences on a national level in doctor of pharmacy curricula and to determine if faculty are comfortable teaching the topic.

Pharmacists' Perspectives on Prescribing and Expanding Access to Hormonal Contraception in Pharmacies in the United States.

Introduction: Pharmacist prescribing of contraception is becoming increasingly available in selected states. The objective of this study was to assess US community pharmacists' perspectives on expanding access, barriers, and facilitators since states have begun pharmacist scope of practice expansions for prescribing contraception.

Methods: A survey study of US community pharmacists' support for expanded access models, pharmacist prescribing practices and interest, and importance of safety, cost, and professional practice issues for prescribing was conducted.

Assessment of a simulated contraceptive prescribing activity for pharmacy students.

Background And Purpose: The role of the pharmacist has been shifting rapidly. One example of change is the passage of legislation allowing pharmacists to independently initiate self-administered hormonal contraceptives in several states. There is no evidence of this specific topic being covered in pharmacy school curricula, and many states are requiring additional post-graduate training.

An Exploratory Survey of Incorporation of Gender- and Sex-related Differences in the PharmD Curricula.

Introduction: Clinical presentation and treatment in many disease states vary due to sex- and gender-differences. Sex-related pharmacokinetic differences are particularly important for pharmacists. The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) currently has no standard for the inclusion of gender- and sex-related differences in the didactic PharmD curriculum, but encourages advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs) to include diverse populations related to gender.

Guide for Drug Selection During Pregnancy and Lactation: What Pharmacists Need to Know for Current Practice.

Objective: To provide guidance for clinicians on risk assessment of medication use during pregnancy and lactation.

Data Sources: Authors completed PubMed searches to identify articles focused on the use of medications in pregnancy, including fetal development, drug transfer across the placenta, trimester exposure, chronic conditions in pregnancy, medications in lactation, and lactation and chronic disease.

Study Selection And Data Extraction: Articles were reviewed to provide overall guidance to medication selection during pregnancy.

Methadone, Buprenorphine, and Naltrexone for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder in Pregnant Women.

Pregnant women with opioid use disorder can be treated with methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone to reduce opioid use and improve retention to treatment. In this review, we compare the pregnancy outcomes of methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone in clinical trials and discuss the potential behavioral and developmental effects of these agents seen in offspring in animal studies. Important clinical considerations in the management of opioid use disorder in pregnant women and their infants are also discussed.

Using patient preference to customize a patient's medication list.

Objective: The primary objective was to identify medication-list components preferred by patients. Secondary objectives included identifying a patient-preferred medication-list template, measuring change in patient knowledge and responsibility after using a medication list tailored to patient preference and assessing patient utilization of a personalized medication list.

Design: 12-week prospective presurvey and postsurvey from January 2010 to March 2011.

Part-time and job-share careers among pharmacy practice faculty members.

Part-time and job-share policies may allow pharmacy practice faculty members to achieve work/life balance while pursuing their professional goals. Precedent for alternative work schedules within the health professions community can be found throughout the literature; however, little is known about part-time roles in academic pharmacy. The design and implementation of 3 different alternative faculty appointments are described and department chair and faculty perspectives are shared.

Active-learning instruction on emergency contraception counseling.

Objective: To increase pharmacy students' knowledge of and confidence in counseling patients regarding emergency contraception and to identify any barriers to counseling patients about emergency contraception.

Design: Approximately 200 third-year pharmacy students participated in the Women's Health Therapeutics workshop at Midwestern University Chicago College of Pharmacy. Students observed a 5-minute skit of a counseling session on emergency contraception and then were asked to pair up with a classmate and practice counseling each other regarding the use of emergency contraception following a checklist of key points.