Pilot study of focus groups exploring student pharmacists' perceptions of a medication management center internship.

INTRODUCTION: Student pharmacists are expected to participate in real-life, patient-centered experiences to help develop clinical knowledge and professional skills. This study explored student pharmacist intern perceptions of work experience at a medication management center (MMC). We also examined how working at the MMC helped fulfill curricular requirements, helped develop leadership skills, and provided professional development opportunities. METHODS: Two focus groups were conducted with first-, second-, and third-year student pharmacist interns at the MMC in April 2019. The focus groups were audio recorded for verification purposes, transcribed, and analyzed thematically by two independent reviewers. RESULTS: A total of five student pharmacist interns participated. Four main themes were identified: (1) knowledge; (2) communication; (3) time management; and (4) leadership, mentorship, and networking. Participants had opportunities to acquire new knowledge and skills outside the classroom, providing them an academic advantage while recognizing areas of deficiency. Students practiced communication skills that helped improve language skills and manage difficult patients, although telephonic consultations were challenging. Students learned to prioritize time with patients but reported difficulty managing their work schedules. Leadership, mentorship, and networking opportunities facilitated learning and improved their self-confidence. CONCLUSIONS: This qualitative analysis identified four key themes, highlighting the many benefits available for student pharmacist interns working at an academic-based MMC. Further research is needed to address challenges reported in this study and should include a larger sample of student pharmacists for more generalizable results.

Effect of Full Correction Versus Partial Correction of Elevated Blood Glucose in the Emergency Department on Hospital Length of Stay.

There is limited information to guide the extent to which asymptomatic hyperglycemia needs to be corrected in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with unrelated complaints. The objective of this study was to compare full correction (FC) versus partial correction (PC) of elevated blood glucose in the ED on hospital length of stay. This was a retrospective cohort study conducted in an academic ED in the United States. Adult diabetic patients with hyperglycemia (blood glucose >200 mg/dL) in the ED who were treated with subcutaneous insulin were included. Patients were categorized based on the level of blood glucose control achieved within the first 24 hours from triage: (1) FC group for whom blood glucose <200 mg/dL was achieved or (2) PC group for whom blood glucose remained ≥200 mg/dL. The primary outcome measure was a comparison of hospital length of stay between groups. A total of 161 patients were included in this study (FC = 81, PC = 80). There was no significant difference between hospital length of stay in the FC [3 days (interquartile range, 1-5 days)] and PC [3 days (interquartile range, 2-6 days)] groups (P = 0.159). In the multivariate analysis, after adjusting for potential confounders, there was no significant association between level of correction and hospital length of stay (log-transformed) (coefficient 0.238; 95% confidence interval, -0.062 to 0.537; P = 0.119; R = 13%). The extent of glucose correction was not associated with a decrease in hospital length of stay in diabetic patients with hyperglycemia in the ED.