The "first-generation effect" on perceptions and academic performance of pharmacy students.

Introduction: The "first-generation effect" refers to familial educational attainment's role in first-generation student academic success. It often implies low academic achievements at associate and bachelor degree levels. Would this be true at the doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) level? This study assessed perceptions and first-professional (P1) year student academic performance of first-generation vs.

Sources of stress in a pharmacy student population.

Objective: To assess the sources of stress for pharmacy students and relationships to demographic factors and perceived stress.

Methods: Survey study of students at three pharmacy schools investigating student stress using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS10), a two-tiered sources of stress questionnaire and demographic information.

Results: Student perceived stress levels were significantly higher than standard populations, but consistent with other pharmacy student populations.

Exercise as a Stress Coping Mechanism in a Pharmacy Student Population.

To assess the coping mechanisms used by pharmacy students and their relationship to perceived stress. Data were gathered utilizing the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS10) and Brief COPE with the additional coping mechanisms of exercise and use of prescribed medications. A survey that was sent to 368 students had an 81% response rate.

Short- and long-term clinical outcomes following a standardized protocol of orthopedic manual physical therapy and exercise in individuals with osteoarthritis of the hip: a case series.

Objectives: Describe short- and long-term outcomes observed in individuals with hip osteoarthritis (OA) treated with a pre-selected, standardized set of best-evidence manual therapy and therapeutic exercise interventions.

Methods: Fifteen consecutive subjects (9 males, 6 females; mean age: 52±7.5 years) with unilateral hip OA received an identical protocol of manual therapy and therapeutic exercise interventions.

Factors associated with choice of pharmacy setting among DoD health care beneficiaries aged 65 years or older.

Background: Department of Defense (DoD) health care planners want to stimulate a voluntary migration of prescription fills from military and community pharmacies to its mail-order pharmacy, a lower-cost dispensing option for the department. Beneficiary cost share for a 90-day supply of generic/ brand medication is $0/$0 at military (DoD) pharmacies, $3/$9 at the DoD mail-order pharmacy, and $9/$27 at network community pharmacies.

Objective: To examine the pharmacy use patterns among the beneficiary population age 65 years or older, traditionally the heaviest users of the TRICARE DOD prescription drug benefit, to identify factors that are associated with beneficiary use of pharmacy setting(s).

Examination of multiple medication use among TRICARE beneficiaries aged 65 years and older.

Background: The simultaneous use of multiple prescription medications has been associated with an increased risk of adverse drug events and other drug-related complications, especially in the elderly.

Objective: To quantify the prevalence of use of multiple medications among a sample of Department of Defense (DoD) health care beneficiaries, aged 65 years and older, who used their TRICARE (military health care services) benefit to obtain prescription medication.

Methods: Outpatient pharmacy fill records were analyzed for a 10% random sample of 1.

The concordance of self-report with other measures of medication adherence: a summary of the literature.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the concordance of self-report measures of medication adherence (interview, diary, or questionnaire) with nonself-report measures of adherence (administrative claims, pill count or canister weight, plasma drug concentration, electronic monitors, or clinical opinion).

Methods: A literature search was conducted to identify published reports in which self-report and nonself-report measures of adherence were used within the same study. The concordance of measures within each study was categorized as high, moderate, or low based on a comparison of the adherence estimates.

The intensification of drug therapy for diabetes and its complications: evidence from 2 HMOs.

Objectives: To identify trends in the utilization of multidrug therapy for glycemic control, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEIs/ARBs), and lipid-modifying agents for persons with diabetes from 1997 to 2001. The trends in drug and total expenditures for diabetes patients also were examined.

Study Design: Cross-sectional analysis for each year from 1997 through 2001.

Association between hospital size and quality improvement for pharmaceutical services.

Purpose: The relationship between hospital size and quality improvement (QI) for pharmaceutical services was studied.

Methods: A questionnaire on QI was sent to hospital pharmacy directors in Michigan and Florida in 2002. The questionnaire included items on QI lead-team composition, QI tools, QI training, and QI culture.