Outcomes of a college-led community-based influenza vaccine program for underserved New York City communities.

BACKGROUND: Vaccine-preventable diseases are a major public health issue. Underserved communities are at heightened risk in New York City, where influenza morbidity and mortality remain elevated. Pharmacists and student pharmacists can play important roles in these communities through vaccine-based initiatives. OBJECTIVES: Enhance student experiences in encounters with underserved individuals; determine patient satisfaction with pharmacist-administered vaccines; assess for gaps in immunization care among the underserved. PRACTICE DESCRIPTION: St. John's University, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (CPHS) prioritizes public health outreach to underserved neighborhoods through various initiatives organized by its Urban Institute. The CPHS's annual Pam Shea-Byrnes community outreach immunization initiative was developed to increase access to influenza vaccinations for the indigent population through the establishment of new community partnerships. PRACTICE INNOVATION: The partnership between CPHS and community-based organizations resulted in influenza vaccines administered at no cost to beneficiaries, while offering students experiences in immunization initiatives and care for the underserved. EVALUATION METHODS: Participating students completed a pre- and postexperience survey. After vaccine administration, patients completed an immunization history survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in addition to a satisfaction survey. RESULTS: A total of 105 patients received the influenza vaccine. Of these, 53 (50.5%) patients completed both the CDC assessment and satisfaction surveys. Of the survey respondents, 81% agreed that the pharmacists and student pharmacists were friendly and professional. Most of the patients (92.5%) were satisfied with the service. Fourteen student pharmacists participated in the initiative and completed both pre-and postsurveys. Student pharmacists indicated in postsurveys a stronger personal responsibility for caring for those in need. They also agreed that there is a clear responsibility for pharmacists to personally care for those in need. CONCLUSION: Student experiences during interactions with the underserved were enriched, and patients were satisfied with the pharmacist-run initiative. Further expansion of the initiative will be considered.

Incorporation and Assessment of Portable Tablet Technology During a Patient Counseling Exercise.

Background: The marriage of cutting-edge technology to the practice of pharmacy for the purpose of promoting patient safety and enhancing pharmacy workflow is an exciting and continuous evolution. Objective: To assess whether the incorporation of portable tablet technology into a mock patient counseling exercise enhances or detracts from the overall counseling experience. Methods: Second professional year Doctor of Pharmacy students enrolled in a pharmacy practice laboratory were randomly assigned to either a portable tablet or a desktop computer group. During patient counseling, students using the portable tablet were required to incorporate the device into the counseling session in addition to written notations; the desktop computer group was allowed to utilize only written notations. Surveys were developed and distributed to students and instructors following each counseling session. Survey data and numerical grades earned for each counseling session were collected and analyzed. Results: One hundred seventy-eight students participated in the study. Survey data revealed students in the portable tablet group were more satisfied with their patient counseling sessions, as well as more confident during their interactions. Instructor grading revealed similar earned numerical grades for both study groups. Instructors noted little or no difference between the groups with regard to counseling effectiveness; however, students in the portable tablet group appeared more engaged with their mock patients. Conclusion: Incorporation of a portable tablet during a patient education session did not detract from, and may have enhanced, the experience. However, the essential components of the pharmacist-patient interaction remain vital, and technology should not become the focus of the interaction.

Lupus: an overview of the disease and management options.

Lupus is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease with a wide range of clinical presentations resulting from its effect on multiple organ systems. There are four main types of lupus: neonatal, discoid, drug-induced, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the type that affects the majority of patients. Patients with lupus experience a loss of self-tolerance as a result of abnormal immunological function and the production of autoantibodies, which lead to the formation of immune complexes that may adversely affect healthy tissue.Although the precise etiologic mechanism is unknown, genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors, as well as immune abnormalities, have been identified. Associations between lupus onset and age, sex, geography, and race have also been established. Management of this disease should be individualized and should include both pharmacological and nonpharmacological modalities for symptom relief and resolution as well as improved quality of life.