Assessing Student and Patient Perspectives on Pharmacist Prescribed Hormonal Contraceptives.

Background: Increasing convenient, accessible, and cost effective contraceptive access is critically important. Two-thirds of US states permit pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptives. Community pharmacies are ideal settings for patients to be offered contraceptive therapeutic options including hormonal contraceptives, emergency contraception (EC), and over-the-counter (OTC) oral contraception.

Assessing pharmacist and clinician perspectives on pharmacist-prescribed hormonal contraceptives.

Background: After the Dobbs et al. ruling in June 2022 by the U.S.

COVID-19 and influenza vaccine hesitancy among college students.

Background: Successful vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an essential component of achieving community immunity to bring the COVID-19 pandemic to an end. Vaccine hesitancy, identified as a top threat to global health by the World Health Organization, is a significant barrier to vaccine uptake. With COVID-19 vaccination programs in effect since December 2020, it is critical that vaccination barriers are proactively identified.

Impact of a Yin Yoga and meditation intervention on pharmacy faculty and student well-being.

Background: Student pharmacists and faculty exhibit high levels of stress, independent of the current coronavirus 2019 pandemic, and their path toward wellness, including a reduction in stress and anxiety, is of the utmost importance. Yoga and meditation are proven interventions to reduce stress and anxiety and increase wellness. Yin yoga is an adaptable, quiet practice ideal for those lacking previous yoga experience, flexibility, and time.

Impact of a Yoga and Meditation Intervention on Students' Stress and Anxiety Levels.

To evaluate the impact of a six-week yoga and meditation intervention on college students' stress perception, anxiety levels, and mindfulness skills. College students participated in a six-week pilot program that consisted of a 60-minute vinyasa flow yoga class once weekly, followed by guided meditation delivered by trained faculty members at the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy. Students completed pre- and post-intervention questionnaires to evaluate changes in the following outcomes: stress levels, anxiety levels, and mindfulness skills.

Pharmacist medication therapy management in home health care: Investigation of a sustainable practice model.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to quantify the financial impact of a pharmacist-driven pilot medication therapy management (MTM) program within a visiting nurse service (VNS) and identify types of medication-related problems affecting the home health care population.

Methods: Patients were contacted to schedule a home visit with the primary investigator. At the appointment, a comprehensive medication review (CMR) was completed, and data collected included primary reason for VNS care, comorbid diagnoses, number of prescription and nonprescription medications at time of visit, and type of pharmacist-identified medication therapy intervention(s).

Postdischarge community pharmacist-provided home services for patients after hospitalization for heart failure.

Objective: To establish a community pharmacist-provided home health service to improve medication adherence and reduce 30-day heart failure-related hospital readmissions.

Setting: Visiting Nurse Services of Newport and Bristol Counties located in Portsmouth, RI, from December 2013 to April 2014.

Practice Description: Each patient received one in-home visit provided by a Postgraduate Year 1 community pharmacy resident within 1 week of admission to visiting nurse services followed by two follow-up telephone calls, 1 week and 4 weeks after the visit.

Availability and Accuracy of Information Regarding Nonprescription Emergency Contraception.

Background: Although access to emergency contraception (EC) has increased with nonprescription status and approval of Plan B One-Step without age restrictions, barriers may still remain in patient education. This study assesses product availability and accuracy of information for EC among community pharmacies in Rhode Island, comparing changes from 2009 to 2012.

Methods: Two female investigators posing as patients seeking EC followed a standardized script over telephone conversations.