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.

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.

Effects of Medicare Part D medication therapy management on racial/ethnic disparities in adherence to antidementia medications among patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias: An observational study.

Background: Evidence is sparse on the effects of Medicare medication therapy management (MTM) on racial/ethnic disparities in medication adherence among patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

Objectives: This study examined the Medicare MTM program's effects on racial/ethnic disparities in the adherence to antidementia medications among patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of 100% of 2010-2017 Medicare Parts A, B, and D data linked to Area Health Resources Files.

ASHP and ASHP Foundation Pharmacy Forecast 2024: Strategic Planning Guidance for Pharmacy Departments in Hospitals and Health Systems.

Purpose: The 2024 ASHP Pharmacy Forecast identifies and contextualizes emerging issues and trends that will influence healthcare, health systems, and the pharmacy profession and provides recommendations to inform long-term strategic planning that should prompt action by pharmacists and health-system leaders.

Methods: Drawing on the “wisdom of crowds” concept, a survey was constructed with 6 general themes, each with 6 to 9 focused statements and a seventh theme on preparedness (58 survey items in total). The size of and representation within the survey panel were intended to capture opinions from a wide range of pharmacy leaders.

Racial and ethnic disparities in the enrolment of medicare medication therapy management programs.

Objectives: Racial/ethnic disparities have been found in prior literature examining enrolment in Medicare medication therapy management programs. However, those studies were based on various eligibility scenarios because enrolment data were unavailable. This study tested for potential disparities in enrolment using actual MTM enrolment data.

Solving racial/ethnic disparities associated with Medicare Part D Star Ratings.

Objective: Medicare Part D Star Ratings are instrumental in shaping healthcare quality improvement efforts. However, the calculation metrics for medication performance measures for this program have been associated with racial/ethnic disparities. In this study, we aimed to explore whether an alternative program, named Star Plus by us that included all medication performance measures developed by Pharmacy Quality Alliance and applicable to our study population, would reduce such disparities among Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes, hypertension, and/or hyperlipidemia.

Racial and ethnic disparities in Medicare Part D medication therapy management services utilization.

Background: The Medicare Part D medication therapy management (MTM) program has positive effects on medication and health service utilization. However, little is known about its utilization, much less so about the use among racial and ethnic minorities.

Objective: To examine MTM service utilization among older Medicare beneficiaries and to identify any racial and ethnic disparity patterns.

Cost-Effectiveness of Medication Therapy Management Program Across Racial and Ethnic Groups Among Medicare Beneficiaries.

Objectives: Equity and effectiveness of the medication therapy management (MTM) program in Medicare has been a policy focus since its inception. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the Medicare MTM program in improving medication utilization quality across racial and ethnic groups.

Methods: This study analyzed 2017 Medicare data linked to the Area Health Recourses File.

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.

Racial/ethnic disparities in the enrollment of Medication Therapy Management programs among Medicare beneficiaries with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

Objective: Previous analysis of policy scenarios reported potential disparities in eligibility in the Medicare Medication Therapy Management (MTM) program. With recently released MTM data, this study aimed to determine if racial/ethnic disparities exist in MTM enrollment among Medicare beneficiaries with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD).

Methods: Medicare claims/records (from 2013-2014 and 2016-2017) linked to the Area Health Resources File were examined.

The Lean Six Sigma Define, Measure, Analyze, Implement, Control (LSS DMAIC) Framework: An Innovative Strategy for Quality Improvement of Pharmacist Vaccine Recommendations in Community Pharmacy.

Community pharmacies represent a highly accessible and convenient setting for vaccination. However, setting-specific barriers exist which contribute to suboptimal vaccination rates, particularly for pneumococcal vaccinations. One proven quality improvement framework growing in use within healthcare settings is Lean Six Sigma (LSS).

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.

Exploring Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Medication Adherence Among Medicare Comprehensive Medication Review Recipients.

Background: There has been a lack of evidence on whether there are racial and ethnic disparities in medication nonadherence among individuals receiving comprehensive medication review (CMR), a required component of the Medicare Part D medication therapy management (MTM) services.

Objectives: To explore racial/ethnic disparities in medication nonadherence among older MTM enrollees who received a CMR and to determine how much the identified disparities can be explained by observed characteristics.

Methods: The retrospective study used 100% of the 2017 Medicare claims, including MTM data.

Effects of the Medicare Part D Comprehensive Medication Review on Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Medication Adherence.

Background: Substantial research has documented inequalities between US minorities and whites in meeting the eligibility criteria for the Medicare Part D medication therapy management (MTM) program. Even though the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services attempted to relax the eligibility criteria, a critical barrier to effective MTM reform is a lack of stronger evidence about the effects of MTM on minorities' health outcomes.

Objective: To examine the effects of comprehensive medication review (CMR), an MTM core component, on racial and ethnic disparities in adherence to diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia medications among Medicare beneficiaries aged ≥65 years.

Effects of Medicare comprehensive medication review on racial/ethnic disparities in nonadherence to statin medications among patients with Alzheimer's Disease: an observational analysis.

Background: Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the mostcommon cause of dementia, a neurological disorder characterized by memory loss and judgment impairment. Hyperlipidemia, a commonly co-occurring condition, should be treated to prevent associated complications. Medication adherence may be difficult for individuals with AD due to the complexity of AD management.

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.

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.

Racial and ethnic disparities associated with the measure for drug-drug interactions among Medicare beneficiaries.

Background: Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) cause many preventable hospitalizations and admissions. Efforts have been made to raise DDI awareness and reduce DDI occurrence; for example, Medicare Part D Star Ratings, a health plan quality assessment program, included a DDI measure. Previous research reported racial and ethnic disparities in health services utilization and that racial and ethnic minorities, compared with non-Hispanic whites (whites), may be less likely to be targeted for a similar measure, a Star Ratings adherence measure for diabetes medications.

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.

Effects of the Medicare Part D comprehensive medication review on medication adherence among patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Objective: Older patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) are challenged with adhering to complex medication regimens. We examined effects of Comprehensive Medication Review (CMR), a required Medicare Part D Medication Therapy Management (MTM) program component, on medication adherence among AD patients.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 100% of 2016-2017 Medicare claims covering the entire United States, linked to Area Health Resources Files.

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.