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.

Implementation of patient priorities-aligned care in a home-based primary care program.

Background: Older adults may be limited in their ability to access care that meets their health goals owing to disease burden, financial instability, and psychosocial barriers. A home-based primary care (HBPC) program established in 2020 within a large family medicine practice uses the Patient Priorities Care (PPC) approach to identify and address patients' health priorities. When incorporated as part of the HBPC model of care, the PPC approach has the potential to enhance person-centered care for older adults in a way that best supports their health goals.

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.

Addressing Healthcare Utilization and Costs for Older Adults with Limited Mobility Through a Multidisciplinary Home-Based Primary Care Program.

Introduction: Home-based primary care (HBPC) has shown promise in the management of multiple chronic conditions for patients who are homebound or who have limited mobility. The objective of this study was to implement and evaluate an HBPC program that integrates the services of clinical pharmacists and community aging services providers in a community-based setting.

Methods: Mountain Area Health Education Center's (MAHEC) HBPC program brought together an interdisciplinary team including medical providers, pharmacists, and community aging services providers to conduct home visits with older adults (age 50+).

Pharmacist Identification of Older Patients' Priorities in a Home-Based Primary Care Program.

Patient Priorities Care (PPC) aims to identify and integrate patient goals and preferences into health care decision-making to provide more personalized care for multimorbid older individuals. Home-based primary care (HBPC) is a model of care delivery that supports aging in place. HBPC-integrated pharmacists can identify patient priorities and communicate with the team to ensure care is aligned with what matters most.

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.

The Social Bridging Project: Intergenerational Phone-Based Connections With Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Millions of Americans aged 65 are socially isolated and millions more report feeling lonely. Social isolation and loneliness in older adults were compounded by stay-at-home orders and other COVID-19 prevention measures. Although many Americans experienced no difficulties transitioning to the use of electronic devices as their primary means of communication and connection, some older adults were not similarly able to espouse this shift.

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).

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.

Physician perceptions of integrating advanced practice pharmacists into practice.

Objectives: Barriers have prevented full integration of advanced practice pharmacists (APPs) into collaborative practice in some areas despite evidence describing their value. APPs in North Carolina can be recognized as Clinical Pharmacist Practitioners (CPPs) under a collaborative practice agreement and provide comprehensive medication management under physician supervision. This study describes the perceptions of physicians regarding the barriers and benefits of integrating CPPs into interprofessional teams and compares physician and CPP perceptions.

Improved Utilization of Preventive Services Among Patients Following Team-Based Annual Wellness Visits.

The Annual Wellness Visit was designed to enhance preventive services utilization among Medicare beneficiaries; Annual Wellness Visits are underutilized with sparse documented effectiveness. Patients of 3 community-based and 2 retirement community outpatient clinics in western North Carolina had team-based Annual Wellness Visits over a 20-month program, with the goal of improving the uptake and delivery of the Annual Wellness Visit. A clinical pharmacist saw high-complexity patients (≥5 medications) and a licensed practical nurse saw low-complexity patients.

Provision of annual wellness visits with comprehensive medication management by a clinical pharmacist practitioner.

Purpose: The effectiveness and financial benefit of pharmacist-led annual wellness visits (AWVs) in conjunction with comprehensive medication management (CMM) for older, high-risk patients were examined.

Methods: Eligible patients were 65 years of age or older with three or more chronic medical conditions, taking five or more long-term prescription or nonprescription medications and receiving primary care in a retirement community clinic. The intervention involved two components, an AWV and CMM.

Interprofessional care for patients with osteoporosis in a continuing care retirement community.

Objectives: To assess the quality of care provided to patients with osteoporosis in a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) after implementation of an interprofessional osteoporosis clinic (OPC). Specifically, quality measures were evaluated, including dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) screening, calcium and vitamin D supplementation, and prescription treatment of osteoporosis and low bone mass in an ambulatory independent living community.

Setting: Large family medicine teaching practice that provides primary care for residents in one main practice, 5 rural satellite practices, and 2 CCRCs.