Strengths and limitations of a novel “Flip the Pharmacy” practice transformation coach advanced pharmacy practice experience

Abstract

Background and purposeFlip the Pharmacy (FtP) helps community pharmacies “flip” from dispensing- to patient-centered care models with assistance from practice transformation coaches (“coaches”). Purdue University College of Pharmacy created a novel advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) positioning students to serve as FtP coaches with oversight from four faculty coaches. This communication describes the APPE's design, characterizes preliminary student coaching outcomes, and identifies the APPE's strengths and limitations. Educational activity and settingTwelve pharmacies were coached by APPE students. The APPE was designed to enhance student knowledge and skills in the scaled implementation of advanced patient care services through structured weekly activities: Week 1, student orientation and training; Week 2, preparing for pharmacy visits; and Weeks 3 and 4, conducting pharmacy visits. Students also performed recurring tasks each week, including managing social media accounts. FindingsTwenty-eight students completed the APPE. Students conducted 81 in-person and 105 virtual visits. Faculty coaches were estimated to need 40 to 50 hours each month for coaching-related activities; involving student coaches reduced faculty coach time by approximately 50%, with faculty spending 20 hours on average per month vs. students spending 50.84 hours. APPE strengths included intentional weekly structuring and oversight and careful student transitions; limitations included minimal pharmacy vendor knowledge and limited rapport-building with pharmacies. SummaryEarly experiences demonstrated several benefits, including optimized faculty coach time and student exposure to practice transformation. Future endeavors to implement similar APPEs should incorporate strategies to enhance pharmacy vendor knowledge and strengthen relationship-building with participating pharmacies.