Readmission Rates Associated with Pharmacist Involvement in a Geriatric Transitional Care Management Clinic.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of a post-discharge pharmacist telephone call on 30- and 90- day readmission rates as part of a transitional care management (TCM) service in a geriatric patient-centered medical home (PCMH).

Methods: Adults 60 years of age and older who had established primary care at the PCMH for at least one year and were discharged from the hospital between 7/1/2013 and 2/21/2016 were included. Readmission rates for patients who received and did not receive a pharmacist TCM phone call were compared.

Evolution of interdisciplinary geriatric transitions of care on readmission rates.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of an interdisciplinary transitions of care (TOC) service on readmission rates in a geriatric population.

Study Design: Single-center retrospective cohort study of adults 60 years or older discharged from an academic medical center.

Methods: From July 1, 2013, to February 21, 2016, a total of 4626 patients discharged from 1 hospital, including inpatient, emergency department, observation, and short-stay units, were included.

Evaluation of Clinical Pharmacist Services in a Transitions of Care Program Provided to Patients at Highest Risk for Readmission.

Background: An ambulatory transition of care program, including a pharmacist-provided comprehensive medication review (CMR), was implemented.

Objectives: The objectives were to: (1) compare 30-day hospital readmission rates between those who received the pharmacist CMR versus eligible patients not scheduled, (2) describe identified problems and recommendations, and (3) quantify recommendation acceptance rates.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted between March and October 2016.

Integrative Oncology Scholars Program: A Model for Integrative Oncology Education.

Objectives: Oncology providers are often confronted by patients who use complementary or alternative therapies, but have limited knowledge or confidence on how to advise patients on appropriate use. Despite this, there are few opportunities for oncology providers to learn about complementary or alternative therapies, while at the same time there is a high demand for integrative oncology (IO) training. To address a gap in IO educational opportunities, and particularly for nonphysicians, we created the Integrative Oncology Scholars (IOS) Program.

Using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) Model for Continuous Quality Improvement of an Established Simulated Patient Program.

Objective: To describe the use of a continuous quality improvement process for strengthening our simulated patient (SP) program and the initial steps that have been implemented.

Innovation: A workgroup that included five clinical faculty with significant experience working with SPs and a strong interest in improving the SP program was developed. The Plan-Do-Study-Act model was used as it allowed for incremental quality improvement changes, in order to ensure a high-quality SP program designed to optimize student learning.

A Randomized Crossover Comparison between Team-Based Learning and Lecture Format on Long-Term Learning Outcomes.

There are limited data evaluating the effectiveness of different teaching pedagogies to maintain gains in learning achieved over the short term. The purpose of this study is to compare long-term learning outcomes between two different teaching pedagogies, team-based learning (TBL) and lecture. Within a therapeutic elective course a randomized crossover study was conducted with 30 students divided into two sections.

Qualitative Analysis of Student Perceptions Comparing Team-based Learning and Traditional Lecture in a Pharmacotherapeutics Course.

To qualitatively compare students' attitudes and perceptions regarding team-based learning (TBL) and lecture. Students were exposed to TBL and lecture in an elective pharmacotherapeutics course in a randomized, prospective, cross-over design. After completing the course, students provided their attitudes and perceptions through a written self-reflection and narrative questions on the end-of-course evaluation.

Hyponatremia, Cognitive Function, and Mobility in an Outpatient Heart Failure Population.

BACKGROUND The association of hyponatremia with cognitive impairment and mobility in heart failure (HF) patients is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine if hyponatremia is associated with cognitive and mobility impairment as measured by simple, validated, and time-sensitive tests. MATERIAL AND METHODS This was a prospective study in patients with reduced and preserved ejection fraction (HFrEF, HFpEF) seen in outpatient HF clinics.

A Randomized Crossover Comparison of Team-based Learning and Lecture Format on Learning Outcomes.

To compare learning outcomes and student confidence between team-based learning (TBL) and lecture. A crossover study was conducted with 30 students divided into two sections. Each section was taught six therapeutic topics (three TBL and three lecture).

A multidisciplinary intervention for reducing readmissions among older adults in a patient-centered medical home.

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary practice model consisting of medical providers, clinical pharmacists, and social workers on reducing 30-day all-cause readmissions.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Methods: This study included adults 60 years or older discharged from a large academic medical center.

Team-based learning to improve learning outcomes in a therapeutics course sequence.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of team-based learning (TBL) to that of traditional lectures on learning outcomes in a therapeutics course sequence.

Design: A revised TBL curriculum was implemented in a therapeutic course sequence. Multiple choice and essay questions identical to those used to test third-year students (P3) taught using a traditional lecture format were administered to the second-year pharmacy students (P2) taught using the new TBL format.

Employer-based patient-centered medication therapy management program: evidence and recommendations for future programs.

Objective: To evaluate a patient-centered employer-based medication therapy management (MTM) program.

Design: Randomized controlled study.

Setting: Health promotion program at the University of Michigan from June 2009 to December 2011.

Patient-centered medical home: developing, expanding, and sustaining a role for pharmacists.

Purpose: The development of a patient-centered medical home (PCMH) health care model and the role of pharmacists in PCMHs at the University of Michigan are described.

Summary: In 2009, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) provided financial incentives to physician groups to implement PCMH principles. A partnership was formed among the department of pharmacy, college of pharmacy, and faculty group practice at the University of Michigan Health System (UMHS) to integrate clinical pharmacists into the PCMH model at eight general medicine practices.

Evaluation of evidence for interprofessional education.

Based on recommendations from numerous organizations, educators in healthcare disciplines are implementing interprofessional training programs. Our objective was to summarize relevant literature in a way that would be most useful to clinician educators. Studies involving educational interventions in health professions to enhance learner-based outcomes relevant to the provision of interprofessional care were identified.

Teaching interdisciplinary geriatrics ambulatory care: a case study.

Interdisciplinary health care training is advocated by numerous government and philanthropic organizations. Educators in the health professions are increasingly offering training in interdisciplinary health care in a variety of contexts, including ambulatory settings. This paper describes a three-year program to teach skills in interdisciplinary care to learners from internal medicine, social work, pharmacy, and nursing in a geriatrics clinic at a major academic institution in the United States.

Effects of a geriatrics interdisciplinary experience on learners' knowledge and attitudes.

This study examines the impact of an interdisciplinary training program on knowledge and attitudes of learners from four health care programs: medicine, pharmacy, social work, and nursing. Sixty-two learners participated in a 4-day educational program (one day each week for 4 weeks) focusing on interdisciplinary geriatric care. After completing the program, learner scores improved on a knowledge test and two attitudinal subscales, and they reported a positive training experience.

Tiotropium: a bronchodilator for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Objective: To review the scientific literature evaluating the efficacy and tolerability of tiotropium bromide, a new bronchodilator indicated for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Data Sources: Articles were identified through searches of MEDLINE (1966-January 2005) using the key words tiotropium, BA 679 BR, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and anticholinergic agents. Additional citations were identified from bibliographies of publications cited.

Long-acting beta-agonists: anti-inflammatory properties and synergy with corticosteroids in asthma.

Purpose Of Review: Contemporary asthma management calls for combination inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) for patients with moderate to severe persistent asthma. This combination has consistently shown superior clinical efficacy compared with monotherapy with higher doses of ICS. It is unclear whether ICS and LABA act additively because of their complementary mechanisms of action, or whether they act synergistically based on possible favorable interactions between them.

Drug-induced esophageal injuries and dysphagia.

Objective: To review and analyze medical literature documenting drug-induced esophageal injury and dysphagia and to formulate strategies to enhance pharmacists' prevention, detection, and treatment of these iatrogenic complications.

Data Sources: A MEDLINE search (1966-April 2002) was conducted to identify primary and secondary literature using variable combinations of the following search terms: pill-induced, drug-induced, or iatrogenic with esophageal injury, esophageal damage, or dysphagia. Bibliographies were also reviewed to identify additional relevant references.

Collaborative drug therapy management by pharmacists--2003.

Since publication of the initial ACCP position statement on CDTM by pharmacists in 1997, the public, government, and much of the health care community at large have come to better appreciate the growing complexity of providing effective and safe drug therapy in today's health care environment. Increased interest in the issues of cost and quality of drug use is evident in the increasing coverage of the issue in the lay press and professional literature. This represents real progress, as well as real opportunity, for pharmacists.

Combined budesonide/formoterol turbuhaler treatment of asthma.

Objective: To provide product information; review and analyze the clinical literature studying combination therapy, budesonide, and formoterol in asthmatics; and to define the role for this therapy in asthma treatment.

Data Sources: A MEDLINE search (1990-September 2001) was conducted to identify the primary literature. Bibliographies were reviewed for further relevant citations.

Teaching interdisciplinary geriatrics team care.

Objectives: Addressing the current fragmentation and lack of coordination of health care requires that health professionals be skilled and motivated towards interdisciplinary team care. The objectives of our program are to (1) enhance attitudes towards team health care and (2) improve group interaction skills among interdisciplinary health care learners.

Description: We nested an educational intervention focusing on skills and attitudes in interdisciplinary team care within a one-month rotation in an interdisciplinary geriatrics clinic.