Incorporation of Innovative Strategies for Patient Education in Pharmacist-Led Transition of Care Initiatives.

As patients transition between health care settings, they are at an increased risk of adverse events and medication errors as a result of medication changes and miscommunication. Pharmacists have traditionally provided transitions of care (TOC) services, including patient education, in a face-to-face manner with the goal of reducing medication errors and enhancing patient safety and understanding. However, changes in care delivery models, a burdened health care workforce, and diminishing resources necessitate innovative approaches for the provision of patient education within TOC.

A Scoping Review of Student Pharmacist-Led Transitions-of-Care Initiatives.

Objectives: To identify and evaluate the current literature pertaining to student pharmacist-led transitions-of-care (TOC) initiatives and to inform pharmacy educators regarding the current and future roles of pharmacy learners in TOC.

Findings: A total of 14 articles were identified describing student-led initiatives in care transitions to the inpatient setting and from the inpatient to the outpatient setting. In most studies, student pharmacists involved in delivering TOC services were completing either an advanced pharmacy practice experience or an introductory pharmacy practice experience and were most commonly performing services such as admission medication history and reconciliation.

Development of a script concordance test to assess clinical reasoning in a pharmacy curriculum.

Introduction: Clinical reasoning is a vital skill for student pharmacists in the provision of patient-centered care, but these skills are often difficult to assess in the didactic curriculum. A script concordance test (SCT) is an innovative assessment method that can be used to assess clinical reasoning skills. The objective of this study was to develop and refine an SCT to assess clinical reasoning skills of third year student pharmacists (P3s).

Use of Digital vs Printed Posters for Teaching and Learning in Pharmacy Education.

To characterize student pharmacists' perceptions of the use of posters as a learning tool and their preferences regarding digital posters compared to printed posters for presentation and review. Student pharmacists presented and peer-reviewed posters in a digital format using a tablet and an overhead monitor or in a printed format mounted on a poster board. The perceptions of two cohorts of pharmacy students were characterized by comparing their responses on pre- and post-activity surveys.

A Survey of Provider-Reported Use and Perceived Effectiveness of Medications for Symptom Management in Telemedicine and Outpatient Visits for Mild COVID-19.

Introduction: Many patients with mild coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have symptoms requiring acute and follow-up care. The aims of this study were to assess (1) provider-reported use of medications and their perceived effectiveness and (2) degree of difficulty managing specific symptoms at episodic COVID-19 care sites and in a longitudinal monitoring program.

Methods: We sent an online survey to physicians, advanced practice providers, and registered nurses redeployed to COVID-19 care sites at an academic medical center from March to May 2020.

Facilitation of a multisite student topic discussion series using web-based conferencing technology.

Introduction: While technology's use and impact in the classroom setting is well-documented in literature, use during experiential education is less defined. Our objectives were to assess the change in clinical knowledge and application skills following a multisite topic discussion (TD) series using web-based conferencing technology during ambulatory care advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs) and to assess student perceptions of learning through use of this modality.

Methods: A multisite TD series was created using web-based conferencing technology for students assigned to a clinical faculty member's ambulatory care APPE.

Professional development series in postgraduate pharmacy residency training: Experiences and opportunities.

Introduction: The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) identifies competency areas that categorize clinical and non-clinical skills to develop during postgraduate residency training. To address the competency areas related to non-clinical skills, some residencies have developed programs to focus on interpersonal, leadership, and other professional skills. There is limited guidance in the literature regarding the development or impact of these programs.

Primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: controversies and clinical considerations.

A new guideline for the treatment of blood cholesterol was recently released by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA), serving as an update to the National Cholesterol Education Program's (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III cholesterol guideline first released in 2001. With significant changes to key definitions, treatment strategy, and therapy selection, the guideline has transformed the treatment of blood cholesterol and also created controversy within the health care community. This controversy is largely focused on appropriate identification and treatment of patients for the primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).

Coagulation and complications of left ventricular assist device therapy: a primer for emergency nurses.

Implantation of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) is becoming more common with the advancement of mechanical circulatory support technology and the continued insufficient number of organ donors available for heart transplantation. Modern LVADs provide a mechanically induced, nonpulsatile, continuous blood flow that drastically alters the hemodynamic and coagulation profile of patients using these devices. In addition to the risk of bleeding and thrombotic events, LVAD support can also lead to arrhythmias and infection.