Assessing Pharmacy Students' and Preceptors' Understanding of and Exposure to Antimicrobial Stewardship Practices on Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences.

Sara Revolinski,Jacqueline Pawlak,Ciara Beckers

doi:10.3390/pharmacy8030149

Sara Revolinski, Jacqueline Pawlak + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmacy8030149

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Abstract

Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is commonly employed, and may be required, in multiple healthcare settings, with pharmacists playing an integral role in developing and conducting AMS techniques. Despite its prevalence, AMS is minimally taught in pharmacy school curricula. In order to increase student and preceptor understanding and application of AMS techniques, the Medical College of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy required introductory pharmacy practice students to complete three checklists and reflections of AMS techniques observed at three different practice settings: inpatient, ambulatory, and community (retail) pharmacy. Student and preceptor understanding and application of AMS techniques were then assessed via voluntary survey. Survey response rates were 43% for pharmacy students, while preceptor response rates were 27%. Student understanding and application of AMS techniques increased after completion of the AMS checklist, with the largest magnitude of change seen with antibiotic selection recommendations and guideline and policy development. Preceptor understanding was minimally impacted by the activity; however, an increase in understanding was seen for allergy assessments, antibiotic time-outs, and vaccine assessments and recommendations. AMS is an important component of pharmacy practice today. Implementation of a checklist and reflection activity within experiential education increases perceived student understanding and application of relevant AMS techniques.

Highlights

Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is commonly seen in many facets of healthcare, and pharmacists are important members of an antimicrobial stewardship team [1]
Hospital checklists and reflections were completed the most with 42% of students reporting completion; 21% of students completed the activity in the ambulatory frequently, with 42% of students reporting completion; 21% of students completed the activity in the environment, and 37% of students completed the activity in the community setting
AMS, while an integral component of clinical practice today, is inconsistently taught during pharmacy school, with some schools incorporating AMS into the required didactic curriculum and others incorporating it into the elective experiential education curriculum [7,8,13,14,15]

Summary

Introduction

Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is commonly seen in many facets of healthcare, and pharmacists are important members of an antimicrobial stewardship team [1]. Commission (TJC) has required all acute care facilities to comply with the antimicrobial stewardship medication management standard [1]. On 1 January 2020, TJC implemented AMS requirements for accredited ambulatory care centers [2]. Despite these widespread requirements for pharmacy practice, no consensus exists for AMS education in pharmacy education. College of Clinical Pharmacy published a curriculum toolkit in 2016 identifying AMS as one of 24. Tier-2 infectious disease competencies, recommending students receive education and training on AMS but suggesting additional postgraduate training may be required [3]. AMS has since been removed from the 2019 version of the toolkit [4]

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