ABSTRACT
Pharmacists should not be classified as "mid-level" providers. This classification implies that there are different levels or a hierarchy of providers when in fact each health care provider brings unique and essential knowledge and contributions to the health care team and to the care of patients. Pharmacists are no exception. Timely issues germane to pharmacists, including dependent and independent practice, provider status, and professional identity, contribute to the rationale that pharmacists, just like all other health care providers, should be classified by their professional identity. While use of the term mid-level provider to identify various practitioners may not seem consequential, in today's health care environment, words do matter when it comes to attributing value, and the contributions of all health care providers should be recognized as equally important to the patient care team.
ABSTRACT
The Professional Affairs Committee, chaired by Dr. Gina Moore of the University of Colorado, focused on making the case for the integration of pharmacist patient care services, distinct from that of other healthcare providers, such as nurse practitioners and physicians assistants. The committee considered other strategies such as the formation of interdisciplinary research teams to pursue practice transformation projects;a badge or micro-credentialing program built around open access modules that can serve as a resource for schools;as well as synchronous learning that consists of lessons and guided exercises with implementation science experts. The Strategic Engagement Committee, chaired by Dr. Jennifer Adams of Idaho State University, identified a number of areas within the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy's (NABP's) current model practice act, as well as in the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations' (NASPA's) recommendations on collaborative practice agreements to help schools' and colleges' efforts to advocate for changes in laws and regulations to accelerate practice transformation. [...]the Argus Commission, chaired by Dr. Cynthia Boyle of the University of Maryland Baltimore Campus, focused its work on the impact of COVID-19 on health care delivery.
ABSTRACT
[...]as the pandemic disrupts many longstanding structures in health care, new opportunities are emerging to position pharmacists as critical contributors to health care and essential members of care teams. First are the student pharmacists who come to our schools because they want to help people live better and healthier lives. [...]are the patients that our students will take care of throughout their careers. The combination of passion and perseverance, grit, is what will lead us to the transformation of pharmacy practice and education that will result in providing better care to our patients.
ABSTRACT
The onset of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has added a new layer of complexity to an already difficult period for academic pharmacy. The need to follow social-distancing guidelines has resulted in rapid adoption of technology-enabled communication strategies. While these technologies provide unprecedented ways in which we can connect as an academic community, we must consider their effectiveness in not only promoting exchange of information, but also creating inspiration within the community and supporting the level of interdependence required to tackle the difficult challenges that lie ahead. As the connecting body within the community of pharmacy education, it is incumbent on the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) to consider how we will adapt during this period of disruption. We must adopt new strategies that will allow our members to connect in new, meaningful ways, ways that stimulate ideas, new partnerships, and an overall sense of hope for our future.