The Importance of Research during Pharmacy Residency Training.

Practice-related projects and pharmacy practice research are requirements to complete postgraduate pharmacy residency programs. Many residents will complete residencies without fully developing the skills needed to perform research required for new clinical and academic positions. Many studies have quantified successes and identified characteristics that may be associated with successful resident publication.

Assessment of hepatitis C risk factors and infection prevalence in a jail population.

Objectives: We sought to validate previous reports of HCV prevalence in jails, identify HCV risk factors prevalence, and identify risk factors associated with HCV infection in this population.

Methods: Inmates at the Buzz Westfall Justice Center (BWJC) in St. Louis, Missouri, were offered risk factor screening for HCV and anti-HCV antibody testing from December 2012 through May 2013.

Comparison of patient simulation methods used in a physical assessment course.

Objective: To determine whether there is a difference in student pharmacists' learning or satisfaction when standardized patients or manikins are used to teach physical assessment.

Design: Third-year student pharmacists were randomized to learn physical assessment (cardiac and pulmonary examinations) using either a standardized patient or a manikin.

Assessment: Performance scores on the final examination and satisfaction with the learning method were compared between groups.

Impact of online lecture-capture on student outcomes in a therapeutics course.

Objectives: To examine the correlation between students accessing recorded lecture files (audio and slides) online and course grades and class attendance.

Methods: Second professional year (of 6-year program) students in a therapeutics course had access to recorded online lectures for 72 hours following live lectures. The number and duration of lecture accessions were compared to final course grades and class attendance.

Acute psychosis associated with dissociated sleep-wakefulness state after mirtazapine treatment.

Tricyclic antidepressants decrease rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and may suppress sleep atonia. Reports indicate that these agents can induce visual hallucinations, sometimes characterized as hypnopompic or associated with a dissociated sleep-wakefulness state. In addition, disturbing dreams and confusional states were reported during clinical trials and in subsequent studies.