Comparison of United States and Australian pharmacy student attitudes towards careers in geriatrics.

Introduction: The population of older adults is expanding globally, but there remains a lack of healthcare professionals trained to meet growing care needs. The primary objective of this study was to compare the top three to four factors driving interest vs. lack of interest in geriatrics among pharmacy students in the United States (US) vs.

College student perceptions of pharmacist-provided hormonal contraception.

Background: North Carolina immunizing pharmacists are authorized to provide oral and transdermal hormonal contraception to eligible patients. In March 2022, implementation of this enhanced patient care service began statewide, after approval of standing orders and published training from the North Carolina Association of Pharmacists. Two pharmacy locations on a college campus began offering pharmacist-provided hormonal contraception shortly after approval.

Revealing rural motivations in pharmacy students pursuing a graduate certificate program.

Introduction: To assist recruitment and retention efforts and influence the need for an increased supply of future rural pharmacists, this study examines perceptions and key motivators of pharmacy students who chose to participate in the Rural Pharmacy Health Certificate (RPHC) program and pursue pathways to rural practice.

Methods: We interviewed six RPHC students prior to or shortly after beginning their first semester in the RPHC program. Interview questions assessed applicants' reasons for pursuing the RPHC, perceptions of living in and providing healthcare in rural and small communities, awareness of barriers and health disparities in rural areas, and qualities needed to be a successful rural pharmacist.

Development and implementation of ambulatory care pharmacy services at an internal medicine clinic.

Purpose: This report describes the step-by-step process that led to expansion of ambulatory care pharmacy services at a newly established internal medicine clinic within a patient-centered medical home in North Carolina.

Summary: Implementation of clinical pharmacist services at the clinic was led by a postgraduate year 2 (PGY2) pharmacy resident and guided by the 9 steps described in the book Building a Successful Ambulatory Care Practice: A Complete Guide for Pharmacists. After a needs assessment and review of the demographics and insurance status of the clinic's target population, it was determined that pharmacist services would focus on quality measures including diabetes nephropathy screening, diabetes eye examination, blood glucose control in diabetes, discharge medication reconciliation, annual wellness visits, and medication adherence in diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension.

Survey of pharmacy students to assess attitudes toward a career in older adult care.

Introduction: In the United States, the older adult population is growing faster than the geriatrics-trained healthcare workforce. The primary objective of this study was to determine the top factors that increase or decrease pharmacy student interest in seeking a career in geriatrics.

Methods: A 23-item survey was disseminated to 611 first- through fourth-year pharmacy students.

Access to on-campus contraception on college and university campuses in North Carolina.

Background And Objective: Unintended pregnancies occur more frequently in college students and negatively affect health outcomes and educational attainment. This study examined access to on-campus contraceptives at all 4-year colleges and universities in North Carolina (NC).

Methods: This institutional review board-exempt study evaluated availability of on-campus contraceptives including condoms; hormonal contraceptives including pills, patches, and vaginal rings; medroxyprogesterone injections; implants; intrauterine devices; and emergency contraception via website review.

Pharmacy student attitudes towards a career in older adult care.

Introduction: The United States (US) health care workforce is significantly unprepared to meet the needs of the growing older adult population. The primary purpose of this study is to examine the reasons that current pharmacy students are interested or not interested in pursuing a career or postgraduate training in geriatrics and to evaluate factors that influence this choice.

Methods: This is a qualitative study utilizing focus groups of pharmacy students from the doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) curriculum of one public school of pharmacy in the US.

North Carolina Pharmacists' Support for Hormonal Contraception Prescription Status Change.

BackgroundPharmacist-prescribed hormonal contraception (HC) may offer additional avenues of access for patients; however, it is unknown whether pharmacists would support over-the-counter access to contraception over pharmacist-prescribed models. The objective of this study was to understand how North Carolina (NC) pharmacists believed HC should be classified and how pharmacist and pharmacy characteristics were associated with those beliefs. This study was a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional, anonymous, online survey completed by 587 licensed NC pharmacists.

The current state of geriatric pharmacy education in the United States - A cross-sectional survey.

Introduction: Concerns exist that the current health care workforce is underprepared to meet the needs of the aging American population. This study evaluated the current emphasis on geriatrics in doctor of pharmacy curricula.

Methods: A 61-item web-based survey was distributed to associate deans with oversight of pharmacy curricula at all United States (US) schools and colleges of pharmacy (S/COP).

Role of Pharmacists in Hormonal Contraceptive Access: A Survey of North Carolina Pharmacists.

The role of pharmacy in healthcare continues to evolve as pharmacists gain increased clinical responsibilities in the United States, such as the opportunity to prescribe hormonal contraception. Currently, North Carolina (NC) pharmacists do not have this ability. While previous research focused on the perceptions of community pharmacists surrounding this practice, no previous research surveyed all pharmacists in a state.

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.

Pharmacist-prescribed hormonal contraception: A review of the current landscape.

Objective: The objective of this article is to review the current supply-side, demand-side, and regulatory landscape of pharmacist-prescribed hormonal contraception (HC) in the United States.

Summary: Pharmacists appear to be supportive of pharmacist-prescribed HC. However, support does not necessarily indicate likelihood to implement the practice, even when reimbursement mechanisms exist.

Evaluation of the need for a fracture liaison service in a patient-centered medical home.

Objectives: To evaluate the need for a fracture liaison service (FLS) based on postfracture care in a patient-centered medical home (PCMH).

Methods: Patients in a PCMH who presented to a local 763-bed community teaching hospital with fragility fracture of the hip, spine, or forearm between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2014, were identified using ICD-9 codes. A retrospective chart review of inpatient and outpatient medical records 2 years before the fracture and 1 year afterward was conducted.

Development of pharmacy resident leadership skills through creation of a regional ambulatory care forum.

Background And Purpose: Action-based leadership activities help refine leadership skills. This paper describes an experiential, longitudinal leadership experience for post-graduate year two (PGY2) pharmacy residents in ambulatory care.

Educational Activity And Setting: As part of a leadership and advocacy rotation, two PGY2 ambulatory care pharmacy residents collaborated with a state association, North Carolina Association of Pharmacists, to co-chair a newly formed regional ambulatory care forum in the western part of the state.

Essential factors demonstrating readiness of primary care practices for clinical pharmacy services.

Purpose: The characteristics of primary care practices that are necessary to establish and maintain ambulatory care clinical pharmacy services were identified.

Methods: A focus group of 15 ambulatory care pharmacists in Western North Carolina developed a survey of 26 practice readiness statements pertaining to the development of clinical pharmacy services in primary care. National ambulatory care pharmacy experts were then surveyed using a modified Delphi model for consensus building to determine which items were essential.

Creating a new rural pharmacy workforce: Development and implementation of the Rural Pharmacy Health Initiative.

Purpose: An innovative certificate program aimed at expanding the rural pharmacy workforce, increasing the number of pharmacists with expertise in rural practice, and improving healthcare outcomes in rural North Carolina is described.

Summary: Predicted shortages of primary care physicians and closures of critical access hospitals are expected to worsen existing health disparities. Experiential education in schools and colleges of pharmacy primarily takes place in academic medical centers and, unlike experiential education in medical schools, rarely emphasizes the provision of patient care in rural U.

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 Integral Role of the Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner in Primary Care.

Clinical pharmacist practitioners serve as integral team members in primary care clinics. They extend the care provided for patients with chronic illnesses, improve health and wellness, and positively impact quality metrics in patient-centered medical homes and accountable care organizations.

Challenges in the Screening and Management of Osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis imposes a significant burden of morbidity, mortality, and cost on patients and the health care system. Compliance with existing screening and treatment recommendations is low. There are multiple barriers to treatment including complexity of medical management, cost of medications, real and perceived side effects of medications, and nonadherence.