Student-created vignettes to enhance pharmacy student knowledge and skill in managing patients with neuropsychiatric disease

Backgound: Neuropsychiatric disease is common globally. It is vital train pharmacists to provide patient-centered care in neuropsychiatry. Objective: To evaluate the impact of student-created vignettes on their knowledge and abilities to assess and manage patients with neuropsychiatric diseases, and to evaluate their experience. Methods: Several learning/assessment methodologies within the Therapeutics III course were utilized, including a major assignment of student-created vignettes about neuropsychiatric diseases. A framework guided student in creating the vignettes; identifying conception, design, and administration. Created vignettes were evaluated based on a validated scoring guide. Mean scores in various assessments were compared using Spearman’s rank-order correlation. Students evaluated their experience on a 5-point Likert-type scale of 1 = Strongly Disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Neutral, 4 = Agree, 5 = Strongly Agree. Results: Overall, students’ performance in the assignment was excellent, average score = 92%. A significant correlation existed between the vignette assignment and assessments covering neuropsychiatric disease. Most students agreed they were made aware of what needed to be done (95%), that the instructions about elements to include, designs, and delivery mechanisms were enough (93.4%, 86.7%, and 93.4%, respectively). Most students agreed that developing the vignette was stimulating, engaging and enjoyable (93.3% and 90%, 88.3% respectively). Students stated they felt confident in their scientific background knowledge (88.3%), in employing communication strategies with patients (85%) and their families (83.3%), and in their confidence in promoting and supporting patients with the diseases. (AU)

A Telehealth Module and Virtual Objective Structured Clinical Examination of Health Literacy in Pharmacy Education.

OBJECTIVE: To implement an online health literacy (HL) module and evaluate its impact through virtual Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) on students' abilities to manage patients with low HL. METHODS: Students virtually engaged in several learning activities related to HL, including practicing using HL assessment tools, designing an information booklet suitable for low HL patients, using readability formulas to lower text readability level to ≤ sixth grade, role-playing scenarios related to HL, and undergoing a virtual OSCE. Student performance on course assessments was tested using Spearman's rank-order. Students evaluated their OSCE experience in terms of case content, virtual assessment, and logistics; and effectiveness of the HL module and confidence related to HL. RESULTS: A total of 90 students completed the virtual OSCE; the mean score was 8.8 out of 10 (88%), which correlated with similar course assessments. The average score was 3.46 out of 3.7 for the "gathering information" domain (recognizing risk factors and behaviors, assessing HL and adherence, etc.), and 4.06 out of 4.9 for the "patient management" domain (counseling patients on taking medications, focusing on repeating key messages, offering adherence interventions, etc.). Students responded positively regarding case content and virtual assessment, but less favorably regarding logistics. Feedback on effectiveness of the HL module and confidence in managing patients with low HL was positive. CONCLUSION: An HL module delivered online was effective in improving student knowledge, abilities, and confidence related to HL. Students achieved high scores in all items in the virtual OSCE, and considered it a measure of communication and clinical skills that is comparable to traditional in-room assessments.

Diabetes Mellitus and Renal Function: Current Medical Research and Opinion.

Diabetes mellitus (DM), which is defined as high blood glucose level, is a major public health issue worldwide. An enormous amount of data has been gathered regarding DM as populations have been living with it for more than a decade; however, continually updating our knowledge of DM remains important. Comorbidities are among the major challenges associated with DM. Poorly controlled DM, especially type 2 DM (T2DM), is considered a risk factor for many diseases, including but not limited to chronic kidney disease (CKD). Complications might appear over time as the aging process changes body functions; moreover, a significant number of antidiabetic medications are eventually cleared by the kidneys, thereby increasing the burden on kidney function and placing diabetic patients at risk. The significantly high number of patients with uncontrolled diabetes resulting from kidney disease shows the impact of this condition on the quality of life of patients. This review presents an overview of the pathophysiology, etiology, and prevalence of CKD and abnormal renal parameters correlated with poorly controlled T2DM, with an emphasis on clinical studies involving the association between vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency and CKD among patients with T2DM.