A doctor of pharmacy curriculum revision process focused on curricular overload.

Objective: The objective is to describe the impact of a curricular revision process using the 8-step Kotter change model to decrease curricular overload in a Doctor of Pharmacy program at a public, research-intensive school of pharmacy.

Methods: In alignment with the 8-step Kotter change model, the first step was to create urgency for change, which was supported by calls to action to address curricular overload. Next, a coalition of change leaders was formed, who developed 7 curriculum renewal targets to collectively address curricular overload.

Identification of Social Determinants of Education Among Pharmacy Students: Results From a Single-Institution Survey.

Objective: To identify social determinants of education (SDOE) among pharmacy students enrolled in the entry-level Doctor of Pharmacy program at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Methods: An original 28-item survey was developed and disseminated to first through fourth year students enrolled in the entry-level Doctor of Pharmacy program at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences during the spring 2023 semester. The survey evaluated student demographics, educational performance, and SDOE in 6 categories: physical health, psychosocial health, economic stability, self-motivation, social environment/community, and physical environment/community.

A meta-narrative review of choose-your-own-adventure style patient case activities in pharmacy education.

Background: The objective of this review was to characterize the methods of delivery and assessment of Choose Your Own Adventure (CYOA)-style activities in pharmacy education. A secondary objective was to utilize available data to determine best practices for educators interested in developing similar activities.

Methods: A meta-narrative approach according to the guidance of the RAMESES standards was used for this review.

Collagenous Colitis with Escitalopram Use: A Case Report and Literature Review.

We present the case of a 42-year-old female whose escitalopram use potentially contributed to a diagnosis of collagenous colitis. The patient presented with significant watery, nonbloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and pain, and weight loss. Established risk factors of microscopic colitis in this patient include a history of smoking and female gender.

Effects of pharmacist-driven protocol on naloxone prescribing rates in two primary care clinics.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidelines for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain recommend co-prescribing naloxone as a harm reduction strategy when there is an increased risk of opioid overdose. Although naloxone co-prescribing is an important harm reduction strategy, many at risk patients are not prescribed naloxone. The objective was to assess the effectiveness of a pharmacist-driven protocol at increasing the number of patients co-prescribed naloxone according to CDC recommendations.

Patient Perception and Impact of Home Test Kits on Health Care Utilization for Urinary Tract Infection.

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common reason for emergency department (ED) utilization that could potentially be treated by a primary care provider (PCP). This study assessed patient perceived value of a home UTI test kit plus educational materials and its impact on ED utilization for a UTI symptom episode. Women aged 18-75 years with Medicaid insurance and a history of 1-3 uncomplicated UTIs in the past year were prospectively identified and randomized to the intervention, intervention plus (intervention plus a patient portal message before its delivery), or standard of care group.

Failure to fail - Perspective from junior faculty preceptors on the challenges of evaluating underperforming students in the experiential learning environment.

Introduction: Preceptors serve as the gatekeepers between individuals progressing from student pharmacist to independent practitioner. This responsibility is challenging if a student is not progressing as required and is at risk of failure. In this article, we will review the potential consequences and barriers of "failing to fail" a student, share the emotions that come with the decision, and suggest actions that may aid in preceptor decision-making.

Comparison of the Usability, Accuracy, Preference, and Satisfaction of Three Once-Weekly Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonist Pen Devices in People With Type 2 Diabetes.

Aim: This study's aim was to compare the time and accuracy of use and participants' satisfaction and preferences with pen devices for the once-weekly glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists dulaglutide, exenatide XR BCise, and semaglutide.

Materials And Methods: In this triple crossover, open-label, simulated injection study, GLP-1 receptor agonist pen devices were compared, with time and accuracy of use and participants' satisfaction and preferences as primary outcomes. Participants had type 2 diabetes and were naive to GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy.

Comparison of Students' Self-Assessment and Simulated Patient Assessment in a Patient Counseling Evaluation and Perceived Importance of Communication Skills.

The primary objective of this study was to compare students' self-assessment ratings with simulated patient (SP) assessment ratings of communication skills in a patient counseling Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE). The secondary objective was to evaluate student perceptions of the importance of communication skills in the practice of pharmacy as well as the impact of a virtual OSCE format. First-year pharmacy students completed an OSCE focused on self-care product counseling.

Evaluation of an escape room approach to interprofessional education and the opioid crisis.

Background: The use of an escape room in education helps promote communication, teamwork, and leadership amongst interprofessional learners in a unique and engaging manner; however, it is unknown if this method can change clinical knowledge related to the opioid crisis and interprofessional attitudes. Our objective was to evaluate the use of an interprofessional escape room activity to increase clinical knowledge related to the opioid crisis and to change attitudes toward interprofessional collaboration.

Interprofessional Education Activity: The session was developed as part of an interprofessional program at University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

Transitioning Competency-Based Communication Assessments to the Online Platform: Examples and Student Outcomes.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacy education has shifted from in-person teaching and assessments to the virtual environment. Many education programs had previously adopted objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) to assess communication abilities in-person with standardized patients (SPs). However, comparative student outcome data between virtual and in-person methods as well as guidance on how to conduct communication-based OSCEs in the virtual environment is lacking.

Reflective metacognition and objective structured clinical examination performance in introductory pharmacy practice experiences.

Background And Purpose: Objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) allow for holistic evaluation of clinical competence, but integration of reflective practices on OSCE performance has not been well-studied.

Educational Activity And Setting: To develop metacognitive skills, second-year pharmacy students completed a self-reflection assignment on a mock medication therapy management OSCE in an introductory pharmacy practice experience course. Students who completed the course during the prior year (no self-reflection assignment) served as the control.

Comparison of faculty assessment and students' self-assessment of performance during clinical case discussions in a pharmacotherapy capstone course.

Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to compare faculty assessment and third year students' self-assessment of performance in clinical case discussions. The secondary objective was to evaluate if student characteristics influence self-assessments.

Methods: This retrospective analysis compared faculty and student self-assessment scores for two clinical case discussions using Spearman's correlation and Wilcoxon's signed ranks test.

Effects of the addition of acarbose to insulin and non-insulin regimens in veterans with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objectives: The primary objective of the study was to assess the mean change in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) when acarbose was added to insulin and non-insulin regimens in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Secondary objectives were to evaluate the discontinuation rate of acarbose, and to assess the number of patients who were placed on insulin despite the addition of acarbose.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on veterans with T2DM initiated on acarbose between October 1, 2013 and December 31, 2013.

Cardiovascular Outcomes of New Medications for Type 2 Diabetes.

Cardiovascular (CV) disease remains the leading cause of death in people with diabetes, highlighting the importance of using treatment options that do not increase CV risk or possibly decrease CV outcomes. Since 2008, the Food and Drug Administration has required demonstration of CV safety for all new medications developed for the glycemic management of diabetes. Seven trials have been published that have established CV safety for three DPP-4 inhibitors (alogliptin, saxagliptin, and sitagliptin), three GLP-1 receptor agonists (liraglutide, lixisenatide, and semaglutide), and one sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (empagliflozin).

Perceptions of prescription warning labels within an underserved population.

Objective: To understand how underserved populations attend to prescription warning label (PWL) instructions, examine the importance of PWL instructions to participants and describe the challenges associated with interpreting the information on PWLs.

Methods: Adults from an underserved population (racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with low income, older adults) who had a history of prescription medication use and were able to understand English took part in semi-structured interviews. Participants were presented with eight different prescription bottles with an attached PWL.