Evaluating the impact of a decision-making game on empathy development in pharmacy students from the dual perspectives of the patient and pharmacist.

Introduction: Doctor of Pharmacy programs are charged with developing students' empathy by the 2016 Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) Standard 3 and the 2022 Curriculum Outcomes and Entrustable Professional Activities (COEPA). Although empathy is essential to optimal patient care, its subjective nature makes it challenging to teach and therefore literature is lacking on best teaching practices. The authors of this paper describe a novel simulated approach to elicit and assess empathy in a pharmacy classroom.

A scaffolded problem-based learning course for first-year pharmacy students.

Background And Purpose: There has been an increased use of active learning pedagogies in pharmacy curricula. Structured, complex pedagogies such as problem-based learning (PBL) may require rigorous training for students to be successful. We aim to describe the development and implementation of an introductory PBL course for first-year pharmacy students.

Deviant Dosing: A Post hoc Analysis of Pharmacist Characteristics Related to Renal Dosing Decisions.

Background: A recent study demonstrated that pharmacists presented with multiple estimating equations deviated from recommended dosing guidance more often than pharmacists who were presented with a single estimate on clinical vignettes.

Objectives: To identify characteristics associated with an increased tendency to deviate from approved recommendations.

Methods: Participant data were split into 2 cohorts: pharmacists who chose a dose that was inconsistent with dosing recommendations on at least 1 of the 4 vignettes and pharmacists who did not deviate on a single case.

Incorporating verbal defense into problem-based learning.

Introduction: The objective of this project was to evaluate the effect of adjusting the solution reporting phase of problem-based learning (PBL) while keeping core components of the pedagogy constant.

Methods: A PBL course for third year pharmacy students changed delivery of the problem solution from a written format to a verbal defense. Comparisons were made between the written format and verbal defense groups.

The Impact of Multiple Renal Estimates on Pharmacist Dosing Recommendations: A Randomized Trial.

Background: Numerous equations are used for estimation of renal function, and many electronic medical records report multiple clearance estimates to assist with drug dosing. It is unknown whether the presence of multiple clearance estimates affects clinical decision-making.

Objective: To determine whether the presence of multiple renal clearance estimates affects pharmacist drug dosing decisions.

Dual- Versus Mono-Bronchodilator Therapy in Moderate to Severe COPD: A Meta-analysis.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) guidelines recommend both long-acting and dual bronchodilator therapy. It is unclear if there are differences in efficacy and safety.

Objective: This meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy of dual therapy with long-acting β-agonist (LABA) + long acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) compared with monotherapy with LAMA for COPD.

Reliability and Validity of a Checklist to Evaluate Student Performance in a Problem-Based Learning Group.

To validate a problem-based learning (PBL) evaluation checklist to assess individual Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students' performance in a group. In 2013, a performance checklist was developed and standardized. To evaluate the reliability and discriminant validity of the checklist, pharmacy students' evaluation scores from 2015-2016 were assessed along with overall program grade point averages (GPA), and scores on knowledge and problem-solving examinations.

Therapeutic Enoxaparin in the Morbidly Obese Patient: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Enoxaparin is a low molecular weight heparin commonly used in the treatment of venous thromboembolisms (VTEs); however, evidence on optimal empiric dosing recommendations are lacking in patients with morbid obesity. Utilization of an absolute dose cap, anti-Xa monitoring, and reduced empiric dosing are among the techniques used in this population. We describe a case of a morbidly obese man (body-mass index, BMI: 68.

Efficacy of Capsaicin for the Treatment of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome: A Systematic Review.

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is characterized by cyclic vomiting, abdominal pain, and alleviation of symptoms via hot showers in chronic cannabinoid users. Capsaicin is recommended as a reasonable first-line treatment approach for CHS despite limited clinical evidence regarding its use. The objective of this study is to systematically review the efficacy data for capsaicin in CHS.

Early Experiences With PEGylated Carboxyhemoglobin Bovine in Anemic Jehovah's Witnesses: A Case Series and Review of the Literature.

Jehovah's Witnesses (JW) represent a complex patient population due to their refusal to accept blood transfusions on religious grounds. Pharmacologic management of anemic JW patients is limited to stimulation of hematopoiesis by iron and erythropoietin supplementation and reduction of blood loss by prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs). Hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) represent the only pharmacologic modality for JW patients capable of acutely increasing a patient's oxygen carrying capacity in the setting of organ failure, yet clinical safety and efficacy data are lacking in this population.

Pharmacotherapy in Acutely Anemic Jehovah's Witnesses: An Evidence-Based Review.

Objective: To determine the pharmacological treatment methods available to anemic Jehovah's Witnesses (JW).

Data Sources: MEDLINE and PubMed were searched from inception through February 2018 using the search terms Jehovah's Witnesses, treatment, erythropoietin, hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier, Sanguinate, Hemopure, bleeding, and anemia.

Study Selection And Data Extraction: All clinical trials, cohort studies, case-control studies, and observational trials involving pharmacotherapy in anemic JW patients were evaluated.

Biologic-Induced Infections in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: The TNF-α Antagonists.

Objective: To review the mechanism and association of infectious risk among the tumor-necrosis factor α (TNF-α) antagonists used in inflammatory bowel disease.

Data Sources: A PubMed literature search was performed using the following search terms: infliximab, adalimumab, certolizumab, golimumab, inflammatory bowel disease, crohn's, ulcerative colitis, adverse effects, adverse events, safety, and infection.

Study Selection And Data Extraction: Meta-analyses and cohort studies with outcomes pertaining to quantitative infectious risk were reviewed.

Adherence to GOLD Guidelines in the Inpatient COPD Population.

Purpose: The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease guidelines provide recommendations to manage chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) exacerbations. This study assessed the management of inpatient COPD exacerbations at an urban teaching hospital.

Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis of adults admitted between December 2010 and August 2012 with a COPD exacerbation was conducted.

Biosimilars in Inflammatory Bowel Disease - Accumulating Clinical Evidence.

Biologic antagonists to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF- α) are effective medications and have become well established in the treatment of both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Biosimilar medications, which are medications deemed to be equivalent to reference biologic products in terms of clinical effectiveness, safety, pharmacokinetic analysis, and immunogenicity, have now been approved in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) based on indication exploration from clinical data in alternate disease states. Clinicians use these products with caution secondary to lack of clinical experience.

Aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes: A meta-analysis.

Aims: Aspirin use for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is controversial, especially in patients with diabetes. The objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate aspirin's safety and efficacy for primary prevention of CVD [fatal or nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), fatal or nonfatal stroke, angina, transient ischemic attack (TIA), peripheral artery disease (PAD) and revascularization] in patients with diabetes.

Methods: A literature search was conducted using the terms cardiovascular disease, aspirin, diabetes mellitus to identify trials of patients with diabetes who received aspirin for primary prevention of CVD.

Report: impact of inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), 2 conditions characterized by chronic inflammation. Approximately 1.17 million people in the United States are affected by these 2 conditions.

Meta-Analysis: Vancomycin Treatment Failures for MRSA Bacteremia Based on MIC Determined by E-test.

Vancomycin is used to treat serious infections caused by methicillin-resistant (MRSA). It is unclear whether MRSA isolates with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) 1.5 to 2 µg/mL are successfully treated with vancomycin.

New direct-acting antivirals in hepatitis C therapy: a review of sofosbuvir, ledipasvir, daclatasvir, simeprevir, paritaprevir, ombitasvir and dasabuvir.

Hepatitis C is a chronic infection associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. In recent years, there has been a shift in treatment paradigm with the discovery and approval of agents that target specific proteins vital for hepatitis C replication. The NS3/4A inhibitors simeprevir and paritaprevir, the NS5A inhibitors ombitasvir, ledipasvir, and daclatasvir, and the NS5B inhibitors sofosbuvir and dasabuvir have been newly FDA approved and incorporated as first-line agents into the latest IDSA-AASLD guidelines for Hepatitis C treatment.

Fluoroquinolone Sequential Therapy for Helicobacter pylori: A Meta-analysis.

Study Objective: As resistance of Helicobacter pylori to standard first-line therapy is increasing globally, alternative treatment regimens, such as a fluoroquinolone-based sequential regimen, have been explored. The objective of this meta-analysis was to compare the efficacy of fluoroquinolone-based sequential therapy with standard first-line treatment for H. pylori infection.

Teduglutide for the Treatment of Short Bowel Syndrome.

Objective: To review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, and safety of the newly approved drug, teduglutide, for the treatment of short bowel syndrome (SBS).

Data Sources: Literature was retrieved through PubMed (1966-March 2014) using the search term teduglutide. The authors applied the filters Humans and English language, resulting in 47 publications.

Effect of bariatric surgery on hypertension: a meta-analysis.

Purpose: Obesity is a growing epidemic leading to worldwide public health concerns. Bariatric surgery is an option for patients with a body mass index (BMI) >40 kg/m(2) or BMI of >35 kg/m(2) with serious comorbid conditions. This meta-analysis examines the effect of bariatric surgery on the improvement or resolution of hypertension.

Perils and pitfalls of long-term effects of proton pump inhibitors.

This review summarizes the literature regarding long-term adverse effects of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). A PubMed search (1966 to February 2013) for English language studies was conducted using key terms PPI: omeprazole, esomeprazole, pantoprazole, lansoprazole, dexlansoprazole, rabeprazole, pneumonia, Clostridium difficile, osteoporosis, risk of fractures, thrombocytopenia, rhabdomyolysis, anemia, iron deficiency, hypomagnesemia, vitamin B₁₂ and nephritis. The risk of pneumonia was increased 27-39% in short-term use of PPIs in three meta-analyses.

The role of antimicrobials in Crohn's disease.

This review summarizes literature regarding the role of antimicrobials for induction and maintenance of Crohn's disease (CD) remission. PubMed was searched (1966 to October 2012) for controlled trials involving adults and written in English. Five of the 13 identified studies showed benefit with the use of ciprofloxacin, metronidazole and rifaximin for induction of remission.

Are proton pump inhibitors associated with the development of community-acquired pneumonia? A meta-analysis.

This study was presented at the American College of Chest Physicians meeting in Pittsburgh (PA, USA) in October 2011. The study objective was to evaluate the association of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). The design was a meta-analysis of nine case-controlled and cohort studies.