Student pharmacist counseling performance after hands-on continuous glucose monitoring education: A multi-institutional pragmatic randomized study.

Objective: To assess the impact of wearing a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device on student pharmacist counseling ability (primary), knowledge, confidence, and empathy (secondary).

Methods: Students from two institutions were randomized to wear a CGM device (intervention) vs not (control). All received CGM education via lecture and live demonstration.

A deep neural network model for classifying pharmacy practice publications into research domains.

Background: Pharmacy practice faculty research profiles extend beyond the clinical and social domains, which are core elements of pharmacy practice. But as highlighted by journal editors in the Granada Statements, there is no consensus on these terms. Four domains (clinical, education, social & administrative, and basic & translational) of pharmacy practice faculty research are proposed.

Describing the current landscape of pass/fail grading schemes within skills-based pharmacy curricula.

Introduction: Optimal methods for grading students in skills-based courses within pharmacy education have not been fully explored. This research aimed to assess the current landscape of pass/fail grading schemes within pharmacy skills-based courses and explore faculty perceptions of pass/fail grading schemes.

Methods: A 29-item, cross-sectional survey was electronically distributed to the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Laboratory Special Interest Group.

Assessment of clinician agreement with and knowledge of evidence-based obesity treatment in the primary care setting.

Introduction: Effective, evidence-based obesity treatment is needed, which often involves use of anti-obesity medications (AOMs). Data on the breadth and quality of guideline-directed obesity treatment implementation in primary care remain limited. This study aimed to assess primary care clinicians' agreement with and knowledge of guideline-directed obesity treatment, as well as to assess the health status of persons with obesity and their use of AOMs.

Utilization of Head Imaging in Children and Adolescents With First-Episode Psychosis: A Retrospective Analysis.

Background Psychotic disorders are commonly diagnosed in the mid-20s but symptoms often emerge earlier during late teenage years to mid-20s. Notably, studies have shown that psychotic symptoms can also affect younger individuals, with a higher prevalence among preteens than teens. Head imaging via computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be performed to rule out non-psychiatric causes of psychotic symptoms in this population but may pose additional risks and financial burdens.

Pharmacist Reported Protocols for QTc Monitoring of Psychiatric Medications.

Background Psychiatric medications, such as antipsychotics and antidepressants, are associated with QTc interval prolongation. There is currently no consensus best practice on how to mitigate this risk. This study aimed to collect and analyze information about methods used for QTc monitoring in patients taking psychiatric medications to better understand current practice.

Silver Nanoparticles Selectively Treat Neurofibromatosis Type 1-Associated Plexiform Neurofibroma Cells at Doses That Do Not Affect Patient-Matched Schwann Cells.

Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) is a common neurogenic condition characterized by heterozygous loss of function mutations in the neurofibromin gene. NF1 patients are susceptible to the development of neurofibromas, including plexiform neurofibromas (pNFs), which occurs in about half of all cases. Plexiform neurofibroma are benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors originating from Schwann cells after complete loss of neurofibromin; they can be debilitating and also transform into deadly malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs).

Effects of Empagliflozin-Induced Glycosuria on Weight Gain, Food Intake and Metabolic Indicators in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet.

Background: Sodium glucose-linked transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors promote glucose, and therefore calorie, excretion in the urine. Patients taking SGLT2 inhibitors typically experience mild weight loss, but the amount of weight loss falls short of what is expected based on caloric loss. Understanding the mechanisms responsible for this weight loss discrepancy is imperative, as strategies to improve weight loss could markedly improve type 2 diabetes management and overall metabolic health.

Skills laboratory faculty job satisfaction: Effects of high-contact teaching and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: The objective of this study is to describe the workload responsibilities and job satisfaction of skills laboratory faculty, both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: School of pharmacy (SOP) skills laboratory faculty were surveyed in fall 2021 to gather information on workload responsibilities and job satisfaction, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Quantitative data were reported using descriptive statistics and, when appropriate, student t-tests were used to compare responses from before and during COVID-19.

Changes in Metabolic Parameters of Hemoglobin A1c, Weight, and Blood Pressure During and After COVID-19 Stay-at-Home Orders.

Background: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a "state of emergency" was declared in North Carolina on March 10, 2020. Subsequent "stay-at-home" (SAH) orders restricted activities including use of fitness facilities, and teleworking was encouraged. This study investigates metabolic effects of these changes in activity level.

Optimizing transitions of care antimicrobial prescribing at a community teaching hospital.

Objective: Antibiotic prescribing at hospital discharge is an important focus for antimicrobial stewardship efforts. This study set out to determine the impact of a pharmacist-led intervention at hospital discharge on appropriate antimicrobial prescribing.

Design: This was a pre-/post-study evaluating the impact of a pharmacist-led review on antibiotic prescribing at hospital discharge.

Healthcare Disparities: Encouraging Change Through Continuing Professional Development.

Throughout history, healthcare disparities have contributed harm to patient's physical, mental, and financial wellbeing. Use of continuing professional development (CPD) can relay practical application of strategies to mitigate healthcare disparities. However, there is limited data on the impact of disparities focused CPD.

An Update on Strategies to Deliver Protein and Peptide Drugs to the Eye.

In the past few decades, advancements in protein engineering, biotechnology, and structural biochemistry have resulted in the discovery of various techniques that enhanced the production yield of proteins, targetability, circulating half-life, product purity, and functionality of proteins and peptides. As a result, the utilization of proteins and peptides has increased in the treatment of many conditions, including ocular diseases. Ocular delivery of large molecules poses several challenges due to their high molecular weight, hydrophilicity, unstable nature, and poor permeation through cellular and enzymatic barriers.

An Exploration of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Antiracism in Standardized Patient Simulations.

A trending topic in pharmacy education is the importance of educating and exposing student pharmacists to topics of diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism (DEIA). Incorporation of diverse patient populations is one emerging learning opportunity for students in the DEIA space. This commentary presents the findings of seven pharmacy programs reporting similarities and differences in standardized patient (SP) recruitment and training, and their use in DEIA simulation learning activities.

Direct oral anticoagulants versus warfarin for the treatment of inferior vena cava thrombus.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) compared to warfarin in patients with inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombus.

Methods: This was a single-system, retrospective cohort study of hospitalized adult patients with IVC thrombus treated with a DOAC or warfarin therapy. The primary efficacy endpoint was the thrombus resolution on imaging, and the primary safety endpoint was major bleeding, both assessed within 6 months of hospital discharge.

Pharmacology and Therapeutic Potential of Benzothiazole Analogues for Cocaine Use Disorder.

Pharmacological targeting of the dopamine D receptor (DR)─expressed in brain regions that control cognition, attention, and decision-making─could be useful for several neuropsychiatric disorders including substance use disorders (SUDs). This study focused on the synthesis and evaluation of a novel series of benzothiazole analogues designed to target DR. We identified several compounds with high DR binding affinity ( ≤ 6.

A lot in a little: Assessment of skills laboratory course structures and faculty workloads.

Introduction: Pharmacy skills development is essential to pharmacy programs to ensure "practice-ready" graduates. The objective was to describe the landscape of skills laboratory (lab) courses and faculty workload across United States schools and colleges of pharmacy (S/COP).

Methods: The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Laboratory Instructors Special Interest Group disseminated an anonymous questionnaire to collect faculty demographics, skills lab format, faculty workload, and job satisfaction.

Evaluation of the change in glycated hemoglobin for patients in an employee health program formerly managed by a pharmacist-run ambulatory care clinic.

Purpose: To evaluate the change in mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) for patients with diabetes in an employee health program after discontinuation of management by a clinical pharmacist.

Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective chart review of patients followed by a clinical pharmacist from January 1, 2020, through March 31, 2021. Patients included had type 2 diabetes, were 18 years of age or older, were not pregnant, and were not using an insulin pump.

Early skills laboratory warnings: Laboratory faculty perspectives on student barriers for progression to experiential education.

Introduction: This study characterized faculty perceptions of student barriers to achieving an Entrustable Professional Activities (EPA) level 2 or higher in the Patient Care Provider domain.

Methods: Pharmacy skills laboratory faculty participated in a nominal group technique (NGT) session. Participants reflected on two questions: "What behaviors would result in a student not achieving a rank of EPA readiness level 2 or higher?" and "What knowledge and skills would result in a student not achieving a rank of EPA readiness level 2 or higher?" Participants developed a ranked list using silent brainstorming, idea generation, clarification, and discussion.

Use of Cardioprotective Antidiabetic Medications in Adults With and Without Cardiovascular Disease, 2015 to March 2020.

Background: Certain glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1) agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2-inhibitors) can reduce cardiovascular risk in individuals with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, these medications can be expensive, potentially limiting their use. The primary objective was to characterize the use of cardioprotective GLP-1 agonists and SGLT2-inhibitors among adults with diabetes with and without CVD.