Characteristics of High-Performing Interprofessional Health Care Teams Involving Student Pharmacists.

To identify key themes of interprofessional models of care that offer experiential education opportunities for pharmacy learners. Six pharmacists from four Area Health Education Centers in North Carolina participated in individual, 60-minute interviews. Using two pre-established frameworks, the data were analyzed qualitatively by two members of the research team to identify the characteristics of interdisciplinary care teams.

Identifying the Presence of Cognitive Apprenticeship in the Layered Learning Practice Model.

To identify the presence of cognitive apprenticeship themes in the layered learning practice model (LLPM). Attending pharmacists who had implemented an LLPM completed an individual 90-minute face-to-face semi-structured interview. Three researchers independently reviewed transcripts to identify cognitive apprenticeship themes according to the framework's dimensions and sub-dimensions.

Exploring the Requisite Skills and Competencies of Pharmacists Needed for Success in an Evolving Health Care Environment.

To identify and describe the core competencies and skills considered essential for success of pharmacists in today's rapidly evolving health care environment. Six breakout groups of 15-20 preceptors, pharmacists, and partners engaged in a facilitated discussion about the qualities and characteristics relevant to the success of a pharmacy graduate. Data were analyzed using qualitative methods.

The layered learning practice model: Lessons learned from implementation.

Purpose: Pharmacists' views about the implementation, benefits, and attributes of a layered learning practice model (LLPM) were examined.

Methods: Eligible and willing attending pharmacists at the same institution that had implemented an LLPM completed an individual, 90-minute, face-to-face interview using a structured interview guide developed by the interdisciplinary study team. Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim without personal identifiers.

Cognitive apprenticeship in health sciences education: a qualitative review.

Cognitive apprenticeship theory emphasizes the process of making expert thinking "visible" to students and fostering the cognitive and meta-cognitive processes required for expertise. The purpose of this review was to evaluate the use of cognitive apprenticeship theory with the primary aim of understanding how and to what extent the theory has been applied to the design, implementation, and analysis of education in the health sciences. The initial search yielded 149 articles, with 45 excluded because they contained the term "cognitive apprenticeship" only in reference list.

A Study of Layered Learning in Oncology.

Objective. To explore use of pharmacy learners as a means to expand pharmacy services in a layered learning practice model (LLPM), to examine whether an LLPM environment precludes achievement of knowledge-based learning objectives, and to explore learner perception of the experience. Design.

Student Perceptions of a Flipped Pharmacotherapy Course.

Objective: To evaluate student perception of the flipped classroom redesign of a required pharmacotherapy course.

Design: Key foundational content was packaged into interactive, text-based online modules for self-paced learning prior to class. Class time was used for active and applied-but primarily case-based-learning.

Early Clinical Experiences for Second-Year Student Pharmacists at an Academic Medical Center.

Objective: To examine student outcomes associated with the Student Medication and Reconciliation Team (SMART) program, which was designed to provide second-year student pharmacists at the University of North Carolina (UNC) Eshelman School of Pharmacy direct patient care experience at UNC Medical Center.

Design: Twenty-two second-year student pharmacists were randomly selected from volunteers, given program training, and scheduled for three 5-hour evening shifts in 2013-2014. Pre/post surveys and reflection statements were collected from 19 students.

Student experiences across multiple flipped courses in a single curriculum.

Context: The flipped classroom approach has garnered significant attention in health professions education, which has resulted in calls for curriculum-wide implementations of the model. However, research to support the development of evidence-based guidelines for large-scale flipped classroom implementations is lacking.

Objectives: This study was designed to examine how students experience the flipped classroom model of learning in multiple courses within a single curriculum, as well as to identify specific elements of flipped learning that students perceive as beneficial or challenging.

Improved Organizational Outcomes Associated With Incorporation of Early Clinical Experiences for Second-Year Student Pharmacists at an Academic Medical Center.

Purpose: To assess the feasibility of engaging second professional year student pharmacists in the medication reconciliation process on hospital and health system pharmacy practice outcomes.

Methods: Student pharmacists in their second professional year in the Doctor of Pharmacy degree program at our institution were randomly selected from volunteers to participate. Each participant completed training prior to completing three 5-hour evening shifts.

Patterns of medication adherence and health care utilization among patients with chronic disease who were enrolled in a pharmacy assistance program.

Background: Poor medication adherence due to high drug costs is a barrier to optimal health outcomes among low-income uninsured patients with chronic conditions. Charitable pharmacy assistance programs provide medications to such patients, but little is known about the utilization patterns of program participants.

Methods: We used a retrospective cohort design to investigate 6-month outcomes for participants in the University of North Carolina (UNC) Health Care Pharmacy Assistance Program (PAP) who received medications indicated for hypertension, diabetes, and/or hyperlipidemia from 2009 through 2011.

The University of North Carolina's Health Care Pharmacy Assistance Progam.

Background: UNC Health Care has a Pharmacy Assistance Program (PAP) that provides financial assistance to uninsured patients in North Carolina who need prescription medications. Despite significant investment in the program, little is known about the patients accessing it or the specific health care services they use. Our objectives were to describe the PAP population, to examine their use of prescription medications and health services, and to characterize changes in prescription medication use and expenditures from 2009 through 2011.

A renaissance in pharmacy education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy is transforming its doctor of pharmacy program to emphasize active engagement of students in the classroom, foster scientific inquiry and innovation, and immerse students in patient care early in their education. The admissions process is also being reengineered.

Prevalent but moderate variation across small geographic regions in patient nonadherence to evidence-based preventive therapies in older adults after acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Patient long-term adherence to β-blockers, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins), and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs)/angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is alarmingly low. It is unclear how prevalent patient adherence may be across small geographic areas and whether this geographic prevalence may vary.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study using Medicare service claims files from 2007 to 2009 with Medicare beneficiaries 65 years and above who were alive 30 days after the index AMI hospitalization between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008 (N=85,017).

A roadmap for educational research in pharmacy.

Educational research must play a critical role in informing practice and policy within pharmacy education. Understanding the educational environment and its impact on students, faculty members, and other stakeholders is imperative for improving outcomes and preparing pharmacy students to meet the needs of 21st century health care. To aid in the design and implementation of meaningful educational research within colleges and schools of pharmacy, this roadmap addresses philosophy and educational language; guidelines for the conduct of educational research; research design, including 4 approaches to defining, collecting, and analyzing educational data; measurement issues; ethical considerations; resources and tools; and the value of educational research in guiding curricular transformation.

The flipped classroom: a course redesign to foster learning and engagement in a health professions school.

Recent calls for educational reform highlight ongoing concerns about the ability of current curricula to equip aspiring health care professionals with the skills for success. Whereas a wide range of proposed solutions attempt to address apparent deficiencies in current educational models, a growing body of literature consistently points to the need to rethink the traditional in-class, lecture-based course model. One such proposal is the flipped classroom, in which content is offloaded for students to learn on their own, and class time is dedicated to engaging students in student-centered learning activities, like problem-based learning and inquiry-oriented strategies.

Pharmacy student engagement, performance, and perception in a flipped satellite classroom.

Objective: To determine whether "flipping" a traditional basic pharmaceutics course delivered synchronously to 2 satellite campuses would improve student academic performance, engagement, and perception.

Design: In 2012, the basic pharmaceutics course was flipped and delivered to 22 satellite students on 2 different campuses. Twenty-five condensed, recorded course lectures were placed on the course Web site for students to watch prior to class.

Enhancing Quality in Psychiatry with Psychiatrists (EQUIPP)--results from a pilot study.

Objectives: To pilot a pharmacist-led, patient centered medication management program.

Design: Prospective, single arm trial.

Setting: Academic geriatric psychiatry outpatient clinic.

Individualized medication assessment and planning: optimizing medication use in older adults in the primary care setting.

Study Objective: To test the feasibility and effectiveness of an individualized Medication Assessment and Planning (iMAP) program integrated within a primary care practice on the number and prevalence of medication-related problems (MRPs) and acute health services utilization, defined as combined hospitalizations and emergency department visits.

Design: Six-month, prospective, observational pilot study.

Setting: Community-based primary care medical practice.

Completeness of prescription information in US commercial claims databases.

Purpose: Pharmacy commercial claims databases are widely used for pharmacoepidemiologic research. However, concerns have been raised that these databases may not fully capture claims for generic medications as a result of patients filling outside the context of their insurance. This has implications for many research activities and quality improvement programs.

Performance of Medometer visual tool for measuring medication adherence and comparison with other measures.

Objectives: To measure adherence in older adults with the use of a novel visual scale screening tool and to compare this adherence measurement with other adherence measures.

Design: Noncontrolled prospective intervention trial.

Setting: Geriatric psychiatry clinic in North Carolina between February 2008 and July 2009.

Understanding pharmacists' experiences with advice-giving in the community pharmacy setting: a focus group study.

Objective: To examine the experiences of community pharmacists providing advice about symptoms and complementary and alternative medicines (CAM).

Methods: Ten licensed pharmacists and 21 student pharmacists working in community settings participated in 4 focus groups to discuss: patients' questions about symptoms and CAM, comfort level providing advice, and factors prompting physician referrals. Focus group recordings were transcribed verbatim and interpreted using thematic text analysis.

Design of a medication therapy management program for Medicare beneficiaries: qualitative findings from patients and physicians.

Background: The quality of pharmacologic care provided to older adults is less than optimal. Medication therapy management (MTM) programs delivered to older adults in the ambulatory care setting may improve the quality of medication use for these individuals.

Objectives: We conducted focus groups with older adults and primary care physicians to explore (1) older adults' experiences working with a clinical pharmacist in managing medications, (2) physician perspectives on the role of clinical pharmacists in facilitating medication management, and (3) key attributes of an effective MTM program and potential barriers from patient and provider perspectives.

Development and testing of a tool for assessing and resolving medication-related problems in older adults in an ambulatory care setting: the individualized medication assessment and planning (iMAP) tool.

Background: Medication is one of the most important interventions for improving the health of older adults, yet it has great potential for causing harm. Clinical pharmacists are well positioned to engage in medication assessment and planning. The Individualized Medication Assessment and Planning (iMAP) tool was developed to aid clinical pharmacists in documenting medication-related problems (MRPs) and associated recommendations.