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. Common barriers of DEIA-centric SP activities in pharmacy programs were also identified and included recruitment of diverse SPs, lack of faculty knowledge for implementation of DEIA-focused simulations, and emotional protection of SPs involved. While no best practices or standardized processes exist, the authors provide suggestions for addressing barriers, and make a call to action for further research to determine best practices related to recruitment, training, and utilization of diverse SPs in simulation activities in pharmacy education.

Connecting improvisational exercises and pharmacy communication skills: A how-to guide.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Medical improvisation (improv) is increasingly being used to teach physicians, nurses, and other caregivers how to better communicate with patients and other members of the healthcare team. This article describes how improvisational activities were incorporated within an existing pharmacy practice lab course and how to implement improv games targeting specific communication skills. EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY AND SETTING: Three hours of improvisational activities were incorporated into a semester-long pharmacy practice lab course. Partner games such as "the mirror" and group games such as "out-of-order story" were played and connected to communication skills related to counseling or taking a patient's history. Additional activities were introduced targeting specific areas of weakness identified in a formative assessment. FINDINGS: A survey was used to assess student perceptions of the improv activities. Students were largely able to connect the skills learned in improv to pharmacy, and some provided examples of how they were already implementing these skills in practice. SUMMARY: This article provides a user manual so that faculty with little to no improv experience can include these activities in their communications courses.

Student pharmacists' perceptions and awareness of community pharmacy practice residency programs.

OBJECTIVES: To assess student exposure to types of pharmacy practice, evaluate awareness and perceptions of community pharmacy residencies, and identify areas of postgraduate training of interest to student pharmacists. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, descriptive, online survey study. SETTING: United States, January to April 2008. PARTICIPANTS: Student pharmacists in the final 2 years of the doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) program. INTERVENTION: An online survey was administered to students in the final 2 years of the PharmD program at randomly selected schools of pharmacy by region throughout the United States. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Awareness of student pharmacists regarding community pharmacy residencies and interest in postgraduate training. RESULTS: 254 surveys were completed during the study period. Of the respondents, 95% had previous experience working in a community pharmacy setting. Nearly 90% were aware of community pharmacy residencies. Students who indicated opportunities to publish (odds ratio 2.4 [95% CI 1.34-4.1]), teaching students (2.1 [1.36-3.14]), enjoying the job atmosphere (4.9 [1.54-15.60]), and clinically challenging (4.3 [2.15-8.67]) as desirable career attributes were more likely to be interested in postgraduate training. No significant differences existed in the information sources sought by students interested in community pharmacy residency programs (CPRPs) compared with those interested in other types of postgraduate training. CONCLUSION: The significant predicators of student pharmacists interested in pursuing postgraduate training are in alignment with CPRP training. Further research is needed to market the value of CPRPs through the identified information sources.

Integration of collaborative medication therapy management in a safety net patient-centered medical home.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the integration of collaborative medication therapy management (CMTM) into a safety net patient-centered medical home (PCMH). SETTING: Federally qualified Health Care for the Homeless clinic in Richmond, VA, from October 2008 to June 2010. PRACTICE DESCRIPTION: A CMTM model was developed by pharmacists, physicians, nurse practitioners, and social workers and integrated with a PCMH. CMTM, as delivered, consisted of (1) medication assessment, (2) development of care plan, and (3) follow-up. PRACTICE INNOVATION: CMTM is integrated with the medical and mental health clinics of PCMH in a safety net setting that serves homeless individuals. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of patients having a CMTM encounter, number and type of medication-related problems identified for a subset of patients in the mental health and medical clinics, pharmacist recommendations, and acceptance rate of pharmacist recommendations. RESULTS: Since October 2008, 695 patients have had a CMTM encounter. An analysis of 209 patients in the mental health clinic indicated that 425 medication-related problems were identified (2.0/patient). Pharmacists made 452 recommendations to resolve problems, and 384 (85%) pharmacist recommendations were accepted by providers and/or patients. For 40 patients in the medical clinic, 205 medication-related problems were identified (5.1/patient). Pharmacists made 217 recommendations to resolve the problems, and 194 (89%) recommendations were accepted. CONCLUSION: Integrating CMTM with a safety net PCMH was a valuable patient-centered strategy for addressing medication-related problems among homeless individuals. The high acceptance rate of pharmacist recommendations demonstrates the successful integration of pharmacist services.

Development and Implementation of an Academic-Community Partnership to Enhance Care among Homeless Persons.

An academic-community partnership between a Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) clinic and a school of pharmacy was created in 2005 to provide medication education and identify medication related problems. The urban community based HCH clinic in the Richmond, VA area provides primary health care to the homeless, uninsured and underinsured. The center also offers eye care, dental care, mental health and psychiatric care, substance abuse services, case management, laundry and shower facilities, and mail services at no charge to those in need. Pharmacist services are provided in the mental health and medical clinics. A satisfaction survey showed that the providers and staff (n = 13) in the clinic were very satisfied with the integration of pharmacist services. The quality and safety of medication use has improved as a result of the academic-community collaborative. Education and research initiatives have also resulted from the collaborative. This manuscript describes the implementation, outcomes and benefits of the partnership for both the HCH clinic and the school of pharmacy.

Revealing undetected problems with medication therapy management services.

Implementation of Medication Therapy Management (MTM) services under the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 has highlighted the innovative roles that pharmacists are assuming in progressive, community-based practice settings. MTM underscores the vital role that community pharmacists have in helping patients achieve desirable therapeutic outcomes and reduce health care expenses. Pharmacists can: 1) obtain detailed medication histories, 2) assess patient adherence and the development of side effects, 3) educate patients on their medications and disease states, and 4) perform cost-effective therapeutic interchanges in collaboration with prescribers. This case describes an MTM session with a 68-year-old Caucasian male who is a regular prescription customer at a local grocery-store chain pharmacy. The patient was screened and identified by his Medicare Part D plan as one who qualifies for MTM services. He has a history of dyslipidemia, depression, and epilepsy. The patient was contacted by the pharmacist to participate in a MTM appointment to discuss his current medications and disease states. After obtaining a detailed history, the pharmacist identified significant medication-related problems including inappropriate prescribing of medication, self-treatment, and the patient's lack of knowledge concerning his medications. After discussions with the patient and his health care providers, a medication plan was created for the patient to follow. Open communication among the patient, pharmacist, and prescribers is a crucial component to ensure the success of MTM services.