National Pharmacy Organizations Research Articles

An assessment of pharmacist perceptions and experiences with community health workers

BackgroundThe American Public Health Association defines a community health worker (CHW) as “a trusted member of and/or has an unusually close understanding of the community served.” Both CHWs and pharmacists have shown they are well-equipped to produce positive outcomes in chronic disease management, but there is still a gap in the literature regarding the CHW-pharmacist relationship. ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to assess and describe pharmacist perceptions and experiences with CHWs. MethodsAn online survey was distributed to pharmacists via state and national pharmacy organizations in the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize demographics and pharmacist experiences with CHWs. ResultsThe survey received 241 responses and 212 (88.0%) met inclusion criteria. Of the 212 eligible respondents, the survey was sufficiently completed by 163 (76.9%). These 163 complete responses were included in the data analysis. Fifty-eight (35.6%) respondents reported working with a CHW and 105 (64.4%) reported never working with a CHW. Fifty-two (89.7%) respondents who previously worked with a CHW were strongly interested or interested in continuing to work with a CHW. Sixty-one (58.1%) respondents without experience were strongly interested or interested in working with a CHW. The reported improvements seen with the addition of a CHW to the healthcare team included: improved patient empowerment, improved clinical patient outcomes, decreased workload of other health care professionals, increased healthcare knowledge, increased healthcare utilization, and increased medication and/or treatment plan adherence. ConclusionPharmacists recognize the benefit of working with a CHW and their contributions to patient care and want to continue working collaboratively. Collaborative pharmacist-CHW relationships should be a priority for optimizing care through community pharmacies and will require a shift in the current structure of community pharmacy services.

Evaluation of guideline implementation for dispensing driving-impairing medicines by National Pharmacy Organizations

BackgroundIn 2004, the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) adopted a Statement of Professional Standard on the supply of medicines affecting driving performance, transformed to FIP guidelines in 2014. In 2011, the final report from the European initiative on Driving Under the Influence of Drugs, Alcohol and Medicines (DRUID) was published. Both documents provided recommendations for improving dispensing guidelines for driving-impairing medicines for patients who use psychoactive medicines. ObjectiveThis study investigated the extent that European professional organizations of pharmacists (POPs) implemented existing guidelines and DRUID results. MethodsAn online questionnaire survey was conducted in April–May 2022. Questionnaires were sent by e-mail to POPs in 46 European countries. The questionnaire addressed the following topics: awareness of FIP guidelines and DRUID outcomes (a), development of dispensing guidelines (b), target groups for information materials (c), evaluations of dispensing practices (d), examples of projects on medicines affecting driving fitness (e), development of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) -support (f), collaboration with organizations of physicians (g), and patients (h). The data were analyzed by indicating implementation initiatives in different countries. Open-ended questions were assessed qualitatively. ResultsPOPs in 23 European countries responded to the invitation (response rate: 50%). Guidelines for improving dispensing practices were available in 5 countries targeted at professionals, patients, and the general population. Patient and physician organizations were involved in 4 and 3 countries, respectively. Implementation was supported by computerized dispensing systems (5 countries) and public campaigns (5 countries). ConclusionsTwenty years after the introduction of FIP guidelines and ten years after the DRUID outcomes, only 5 European POPs have implemented this knowledge. Different activities were performed to support implementation, resulting in examples of successful use of recommendations for driving-impairing medicines in pharmacy practice. Implementation needs further attention. The successful practices that have been developed are an example for dissemination to other countries.

Managing opioids and mitigating opioid risks in patients with cancer: An environmental scan of the attitudes, confidence, and practices of ambulatory, community and hospital pharmacists practicing in Canada.

Canada is in the midst of an overdose crisis. The use of prescription opioids in Canada has increased steadily over the past two decades, with stark increases in opioid-induced respiratory depression and related deaths. Opioids are the mainstay of treatment for cancer-related pain. Patients with cancer are not immune to the risks associated with opioid use but are underrepresented in available literature outlining risk mitigation strategies. Pharmacists are ideally placed to employ opioid risk mitigation practices to support safe and effective opioid use for patients with cancer-related pain. However, the current attitudes, confidence, and safety practices of pharmacists around how to best support these patients are not known. This study was a descriptive environmental scan of pharmacists who provide direct patient care in Canada. An electronic questionnaire was built using the web based Opinio software. It was distributed via email by several provincial and national pharmacy organizations and online platforms. The questionnaire consisted of Likert-scale and open-ended questions and was open to participants for a 6-week period from February 12th to March 23rd, 2020. Analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis. Eighty-one responses from pharmacists in nine provinces were included in the analysis. Respondents endorsed limited and varied practices when caring for patients receiving opioids for cancer-related pain. Further, they demonstrated wide ranging confidence and attitudes regarding opioid risk mitigation practices and beliefs. Less than 50% of pharmacists were aware of resources available for their patients with non-medical opioid use, and/or patients at high risk of opioid-induced respiratory depression. Education, resources, and communication were the most commonly reported perceived facilitators and barriers to resource use. Pharmacists in Canada report employing opioid risk mitigation practices with low and varied frequency when caring for patients receiving opioids for cancer-related pain. They endorsed varied confidence and limited awareness of available provider and patient resources. These findings may help inform the development of new education models and evidence-based guidelines. New education models and evidence-based guidelines will support pharmacists in their pharmaceutical care of this vulnerable patient population, ultimately aiming to improve patient outcomes.

ALFP Debate: Pharmacy Practice Needs Pharmacy Schools to Drive Innovation in the Profession

ObjectiveTo describe the pros and cons of the topic “pharmacy practice needs pharmacy schools to drive innovation in the profession.” MethodsThe Academic Leadership Fellows Program (ALFP) contributes to developing leaders in the academy. ALFP Fellows participate in a debate on current topics in academic pharmacy. Cohort 19 Pro- and Con-Teams of the “innovation” debate separately conducted literature searches including terms “innovation, pharmacy/clinical practice, drivers,” and accessed information from multiple national pharmacy organizations, and expert opinion from faculty, association members, and practitioners. ResultsThe Pro- and Con-Teams each had three central conclusions. The Pro-Team proposed first that pharmacy schools prepare future pharmacists to be life-long learners and change-agents. Second, pharmacy schools have resources/expertise to engage in innovation. Third, seminal partnerships such as the Academia-CPESN Transformation Pharmacy Collaborative, are crucial for innovations to be successful. The Con-Team proposed first that successful and usable practice innovations include a business model built on the innovation being feasible and sustainable. Second, ACPE 2016 standards suggest pharmacy schools are facilitators of innovation, not drivers, because they are not expected to train students to develop innovative practices. Third, academic pharmacy is often reactive to practice, not proactive. Innovative topics are rarely taught in schools due to lack of academic experts, heavy workloads, and other challenges. ConclusionsPharmacy schools and practice do not operate independently nor innovate separately. The first priority of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy’s Strategic Plan is to lead the transformation of pharmacy practice. Representatives of practice and academia must work together to foster this culture of transformation by seeking, developing, implementing, and evaluating progressive, contemporary, and innovative ideas and practices that reflect the shared perspectives of both entities.

Impact of the Novel CoronaviruS (COVID-19) on Frontline PharmacIsts Roles and ServicEs: INSPIRE Worldwide Survey.

Pharmacy has been recognized as a vital healthcare profession during the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary objective of the INSPIRE Worldwide survey was to determine the impact of COVID-19 on pharmacy practice and pharmacists' roles around the world. A cross-sectional online questionnaire with pharmacists who provided direct patient care during the pandemic. Participants were recruited through social media, with assistance from national and international pharmacy organizations between March 2021-May 2022. The questionnaire was divided into (1) demographics, (2) pharmacists' roles, (3) communication strategies, and (4) practice challenges. The data were analyzed using SPSS 28, and descriptive statistics were used to report frequencies and percentages. A total of 505 pharmacists practicing in 25 countries participated. The most common role that pharmacists undertook was responding to drug information requests (90%), followed by allaying patients' fears and anxieties about COVID-19 (82.6%), and addressing misinformation about COVID-19 treatments and vaccinations (80.4%). The most common challenges were increased stress levels (84.7%), followed by medication shortages (73.8%), general supply shortages (71.8%), and inadequate staffing (69.2%). Pharmacists within this study were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and took on new or adapted roles (e.g., providing COVID-specific information, managing patients' emotions, and educating on public health measures) to meet the needs of their communities. Despite, the significant challenges (e.g., increased stress, supply chain challenges, addressing misinformation, and staffing shortages) faced by pharmacists, they continued to put their patients' needs first and to provide pharmacy services.

An Update on the Progress Toward Gender Equity in US Academic Pharmacy

Objective. To evaluate the status of gender equity in US pharmacy education since the two previous publications on the topic in 2004 and 2014.Methods. Data were gathered from existing national databases, internal American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) databases, AACP meeting minutes, published reports, scholarly articles, pharmacy association websites, individual school websites, and LinkedIn profiles. Differences between men and women were evaluated on degree completion, discipline, rank, tenure status, research, leadership development, leadership positions, salaries, and professional awards. Comparisons were also made to academic medicine and dentistry.Results. Fifty-one percent of full-time faculty members across all academic pharmacy disciplines are women. The percentage of women at the rank of professor was 36.6%, compared to 25% in 2014. Of the 2992 tenured or tenure track pharmacy faculty, 39.2% were women. Out of 388 department chairs, 146 were women. Throughout 2014-2021, there were 121 chief executive officer (CEO) dean permanent appointments, with men holding 91 (75.2%) and women holding 30 (24.8%). Women received 29.7% of the National Institutes of Health grants awarded to pharmacy schools compared to men (70.3%), although women's funding amount was higher. In both the pharmacy practice discipline and all sciences disciplines, the total salary across all ranks and years in rank was significantly higher for men than women, even for department chairs, but there were no differences for CEO deans. To date, women have received 13% of four national pharmacy organizations' top 13 awards.Conclusion. Since 2014, some achievement gaps have narrowed, but areas of concern still exist and need continued attention and resources so inequities can be eliminated. Women in academic pharmacy need mentoring and support to extend throughout the trajectory of their careers in areas such as academic advancement, grant applications, salary negotiation, leadership pursuit, and award applications.

Pharmacist Practice Patterns Regarding Direct Oral Anticoagulants for Treatment of Venous Thromboembolism.

Background: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are increasingly prescribed for the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, little is known regarding pharmacists' practice patterns and preferences in clinical areas of contention, such as initiation dosing, obesity, and renal impairment. Objective: To determine pharmacist trends in practice regarding DOACs for the treatment of VTE overall and within areas of clinical controversy. Methods: An electronic survey was distributed to pharmacists in the United States through national and state pharmacy organizations. Responses were collected for 30 days. Results: One hundred fifty-three complete responses were submitted. The majority of pharmacists preferred apixaban (90.2%) for the oral treatment of venous thromboembolism. When initiating apixaban or rivaroxaban for a new VTE, 76% and 64% of pharmacists surveyed, respectively, state the duration of the initiation dose phases are reduced if the patient received parenteral anticoagulation. Fifty-eight percent of pharmacists used body mass index to evaluate the appropriateness of DOACs in obese patients whereas 42% used total body weight. Preference for rivaroxaban (31.4%) was higher in this population compared to the global population (10%). Apixaban was preferred for patients with renal impairment (92.2%). However, as creatinine clearance as calculated by the Cockcroft-Gault equation (CrCl) reduced to ≤15 milliliters/minute (mL/min), preference for warfarin increased (36%). Conclusion: This national survey of pharmacists demonstrated an overall preference for apixaban and significant variability in practice patterns regarding DOACs for patients with new VTE, patients with obesity, and patients with renal impairment. Further research is warranted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of DOAC initiation dosing phase modifications. Prospective evaluations of DOACs in obese and renal dysfunction populations would confirm the safety and efficacy of DOACs in these populations.

Roadmap to resilience: Incorporating a wellness program into the pharmacy residency curriculum

Background and purposeIn recent years, wellness initiatives across various health professions have prompted national pharmacy organizations to prioritize pharmacist well-being. Pharmacy residency programs present ideal platforms to foster wellness practices among new pharmacy practitioners. By describing the components and implementation of the Resident Wellness Program at an academic medical center, we aim to guide other institutions in facilitating wellness activities for pharmacy trainees. Educational activity and settingThe Resident Wellness Program was implemented in 2019 and provides pharmacy residents with a structured framework of wellness activities intended to promote mental and physical health and prevent burnout. Feedback surveys and written reflections have provided initial evidence of the program's value in enhancing resident well-being. FindingsA qualitative analysis of surveys and reflections highlights the program's positive impact, with more than 90% of participants indicating that the program met their needs and promoted self-development. Perspectives from residents and administrators identified key strengths, including the structured nature of sessions and diversity of wellness topics. Opportunities for improvement include teaching participants to apply practical wellness strategies and refining topics to align with residents' interests. As the program evolves, a formal analysis via standardized surveys and an assessment of longitudinal impact will support continued enhancement. SummaryThe implementation of a pharmacy resident wellness program provides an opportunity to promote well-being and work performance. By engaging in similar initiatives, other institutions can mirror the commitment of national pharmacy organizations and contribute to a culture of wellness among pharmacy residents and the greater pharmacy workforce.

Gender equity perceptions among social and administrative science faculty: A qualitative evaluation

BackgroundAnecdotal evidence suggests that gender inequity persists in academic pharmacy. To date, there are limited published data about the perception of gender inequity in academic pharmacy. ObjectiveThe objective of this project was to determine themes associated with gender inequity perceptions in social and administrative science faculty from 2 national pharmacy organizations. MethodsA gender equity task force comprising 13 members from Social and Administrative Sciences (SAS) sections of the American Pharmacists Association and the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy was formed. The task force designed a semistructured interview guide comprising questions about demographics and core areas where inequities likely exist. When the survey invitation was sent to faculty members of the SAS sections via Qualtrics, faculty indicated whether they were willing to be interviewed. Interviews were conducted by 2 members of the task force via video conferencing application. The interviews were transcribed. Topic coding involving general categorization by theme followed by refinement to delineate subcategories was used. Coding was conducted independently by 3 coders followed by consensus when discrepancies were identified. ResultsA total of 21 faculty participated in the interviews. Respondents were primarily female (71%), were white (90%), had Doctor of Philosophy as their terminal degree (71%), and were in nontenure track positions (57%). Most respondents (90%) experienced gender inequity. A total of 52% reported experiencing gender inequity at all ranks from graduate student to full professor. Four major themes were identified: microaggression (57%), workload (86%), respect (76%), and opportunities (38%). Workload, respect, and opportunities included multiple subthemes. ConclusionFaculty respondents perceive gender inequities in multiple areas of their work. Greater inequity perceptions were present in areas of workload and respect. The task force offers multiple recommendations to address these inequities.

Fundamental issues and pandemic pushes pharmacists past their limits

Fundamental issues and pandemic pushes pharmacists past their limits

Alternate dosage formulations of oral targeted anticancer agents.

Oral anticancer therapies have demonstrated superior outcomes compared to traditional cytotoxic chemotherapy in many disease states. However, certain patients may not be candidates for these agents due to odynphagia or dysphagia. The purpose of this review is to summarize the data for extemporaneous compounding of oral anticancer agents. Food and drug administration approvals of oncology agents were reviewed to identify oral anticancer therapies. In order to find alternative administration options: the package inserts of each of these agents were reviewed, each medication was searched in a tertiary drug information resource, the medical information teams of each drug manufacturer were contacted to inquire about proprietary data, sites with pediatric trials were contacted, a primary literature search was performed, and listservs for national pharmacy and oncology organizations were reviewed. Eighty-five food and drug administration-approved oral anticancer therapies were identified to be included. Of those agents, nine (11%), had information in the package insert related to alternative administration. After further research, 46 (54%) of the agents had some information related to alternate formulations for administration. The recipes and stability of each of these compounds is included. The majority of agents do not have Phase I or II trials that assess safety or pharmacokinetics of alternative formulations. Clinicians should exercise caution when recommending or administering these agents outside of food and drug administration-approved indicated use and utilize clinical judgment in assessing the risks and benefits of altering anticancer compounds. However, the alternative administration considerations presented can increase access to oncology patients who have difficulty swallowing.

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Practices in the United States.

To survey current practices for the treatment of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) among institutions in the United States to identify changes in national practice over time. Previous NAS management reports were referenced in the development of our 26-question electronic survey, which was distributed in the fall of 2019 to pediatric practitioners of 2 national clinical pharmacy organizations via email list servers. Not all questions required a response and responses from incomplete surveys were included. Institution demographics and NAS management strategies, including location of care, observation period, and inpatient and outpatient pharmacotherapy, were queried. Seventy respondents representing institutions from all US geographic regions participated in the survey The most commonly reported inpatient observation durations were 3 (18 of 61, 29%) and 5 (22 of 61, 36%) days. Respondents indicated that neonates were typically transferred to the NICU if pharmacologic management was required (38 of 56, 68%). According to participants, first-line agents used for NAS management were morphine (45 of 56, 80%), methadone (5 of 56, 9%), clonidine (2 of 56, 4%), and buprenorphine (2 of 56, 4%). Among respondents, only 20% (11 of 56) reported that infants may be discharged home on pharmacotherapy, including morphine (n = 6), phenobarbital (n = 3), clonidine (n = 1), and methadone (n = 1). Opioids are the most commonly used first-line agents for NAS management in the United States. The primary site of NAS management is the inpatient setting, as only 20% of institutions report discharging patients on pharmacotherapy.

Conversations about structural racism are uncomfortable. That’s the point.

Conversations about structural racism are uncomfortable. That’s the point.

Advancing racial justice in patient care encounters—yes, we can!

Advancing racial justice in patient care encounters—yes, we can!

An Unparalleled Spirit of Collaboration Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic is having a profound impact across the United States and the rest of the world. Health care professionals, including pharmacists, are working on the frontlines and across the spectrum of public health and research. To fully optimize the contribution of pharmacists during this crisis, state and federal policies and regulations that limit pharmacists' roles had to be identified and modified. A strong coalition of national pharmacy organizations, including the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, embarked upon an unprecedented level of collaboration to produce a joint statement identifying key policy recommendations. This collective continued working together as the full force of the pandemic was realized and engaged with policy makers at the state and national levels to advocate for these policy recommendations. Ideally the lessons learned in terms of the power of working together in a crisis will reframe future collaborations to the benefit of the profession and ultimately to the patients we serve.

Integration of Community pharmacy and pharmacists in primary health care policies in Argentina.

Argentina is a federal republic with approximately 44 million people, divided into 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires. The health system is segmented into public, social security and private subsystems. The social security and private sectors cover more than 60% of the population. Total health expenditure in 2017 was 9.4% of gross domestic product. Primary health care (PHC) was considered as the principal strategy for universal coverage policy for health system reform in Latin America at the end of 20th century. The most remarkable characteristics of the Argentinian health system are its fragmentation and disorganization. An increase of public sector demands, due to a socioeconomic crisis, led to the subsequent collapse of the system, caused primarily by a sustained lack of investment. First care level decentralization to the Integral Health Service Delivery Networks (IHSDN) becomes the cornerstone of a PHC-based system. Pharmacists and community pharmacies are not formally mentioned in PHC policies or IHSDN. However, pharmacies are recognized as healthcare establishments as part of the first care level. Community pharmacists are the only health care professional whose profit comes from the margin on product sales. Contracts with social security and private insurances provide small margins which reduce the viability of community pharmacies. There is a preference by community pharmacies to diversify product sales instead of providing professional services. This is driven by marketing and economic pressures rather than patient care and health policies. Dispensing is the main professional activity followed by management of minor illness and associated product recommendations. Currently, there are no national practice guidelines or standard operating procedures for the provision of pharmaceutical services and there is no nationally agreed portfolio of services. National pharmacy organizations appear to have no official strategic statements or plans which would guide community pharmacies. There are some isolated experiences in community pharmacies and in public first care level pharmacies that demonstrate the possibilities and opportunities for implementing pharmaceutical services under the PHC approach. There is a real lack of integration of community pharmacies and pharmacists in the healthcare system.

State and National Organizations Supporting the Profession of Pharmacy

I have the good fortune from where I sit as the chief executive officer for a state pharmacy association of participating in many national conversations about important priorities in the pharmacy profession. Over the past four months there have been a greater level of discussions between the states and national entities on a myriad of subjects that are front-and-center in several areas of pharmacy practice. These subjects have ranged from changes to the international standards for compounding nonsterile and sterile preparations to pharmacy Direct and Indirect Remuneration fees (DIR) imposed by third-party payers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), and many others.The practice of pharmacy is largely a local issue, meaning, activities like scope-of-practice, commercial payment provisions, Medicaid administration, and regulatory oversight are all controlled individually within a state's jurisdiction. And in fact, the state pharmacy associations are often the closest to knowing the political, regulatory, and practice nuances in those areas and the best means for moving priorities forward or otherwise affecting change. The national organizations are tremendous partners in supporting the state efforts, but for the most part defer to the states since, as former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Tip O'Neill once said, “All politics is local.”However, with recent issues such as those mentioned above gaining national momentum and having a profound impact on the global practice of pharmacy across the U.S., it has provided a renewed opportunity for the states to support the national organizations in their efforts to affect change from the top. This two-way commitment from the state and national organizations to work on the important issues facing the profession – no matter where that lever comes from – is a key to an effective collaboration, and frankly, just getting the work done. At the end of the day, whether the activity originates at a national or state level, at some point it will impact (for better or for worse), the practice of pharmacy at the grassroots level. This constant reminder of the impact that the collective profession and the patients that are served will experience is why the state and national entities work so closely together. We share those values that seek to promote and advance the profession and are always willing to cooperate with one another to ensure that pharmacists and the communities in which they work, live and play, are benefitted from our collaboration.As a pharmacist, researcher, faculty member, student pharmacist, or pharmacy technician reading this Journal, I encourage you to talk to your peers in active practice. Remind them that, while the clinical evidence as demonstrated in this edition's manuscripts will advance patient care, so too will the collaboration and work of the state and national pharmacy organizations. We hope you will participate, belong, and encourage your peers to do so as well in the interest of ensuring that the challenges and opportunities in the practice of pharmacy are dealt with as effectively as possible.

From ideation to practice: How pharmacists and students can leverage hackathons and innovation labs to accelerate innovation in pharmacy

ObjectivesTo describe novel methods regarding innovation for pharmacists and student pharmacists to leverage local and national events, such as hackathons and innovation labs, that provide guidance and resources for developing novel products and solutions in health care. Data sourcesNot applicable. SummaryThe profession of pharmacy exists in a diverse and complex system where collaboration is essential for innovation and can leverage existing resources to accelerate this. Hackathons occur over one or more days and offer a venue and resources to support innovation as interprofessional teams develop and pitch new product ideas for potential investment. Innovation labs serve as more permanent locations that offer resources and expertise to help realize ideas and guide development into potentially viable solutions and products for health care. ConclusionAlthough currently hosted hackathons and design spaces may prove to be beneficial to pharmacists looking to innovate, they are frequently located in urban areas or large academic institutions that are not readily accessible to the larger pharmacy community. Fostering opportunities, whether as local hackathons or innovation labs, can potentially help to accelerate the innovation cycle for the pharmacy profession. These resources can be developed in local communities or through national pharmacy societies and organizations to increase access.

Assessment of clinical productivity tracking via reporting of quality patient indicators

IntroductionAs the role of pharmacists in providing direct patient care continues to expand, the need for and interest in a method for assessing and measuring clinical productivity is becoming more paramount. Unfortunately, there is no consensus on how, when, and which quality indicators or clinical productivity measures should be collected. The primary objective of this study was to assess the landscape of clinical productivity tracking across practice sites.MethodsA 13‐item Qualtrics questionnaire was administered through email lists from several national pharmacy organizations in the Spring of 2018. There were eight items related to quality indicators or clinical productivity measures. The information gathered included the type of indicator/measure collected, how it was collected, and perceived benefits and barriers. The remaining five items were basic demographic questions.ResultsA total of 349 participants responded, with 231 reporting that they currently track some type of patient quality indicator. Of these, 166 reported collecting a total of 903 indicators or measures using a variety of tracking systems. The most frequently reported measures collected were the number of patients seen and the type of recommendation or intervention made. The most cited reason for collecting these data was to demonstrate the impact to a practice site. The time required to collect data and the limitations of data collection systems were the two most frequently cited perceived barriers to collecting information.ConclusionsA majority of respondents are collecting some form of quality indicator or clinical productivity measure. However, there is extensive variety in the exact indicators or measures being collected and the tracking systems being utilized for their collection. Although implementation would be difficult, a more standardized approach to tracking clinical productivity may be beneficial.

Design and short-term impact of an event to promote careers in clinical pharmacy

Background and purposeThere is a role for local pharmacy organizations to promote clinical pharmacy and increase awareness to both potential and current pharmacy students. The Greater Milwaukee College of Clinical Pharmacy (GMCCP) chapter sought to promote clinical pharmacy amongst current and prospective pharmacy students to increase the knowledge, awareness, and interest in clinical pharmacy. Educational activity and settingSubcommittee members designed programming to introduce the basics of clinical pharmacy. Students from three schools of pharmacy and more than 40 colleges in the region were invited to the event. Didactic and discussion-based content was developed. Pharmacists from GMCCP were solicited as presenters, along with a current pharmacy student and resident. Participants were asked to complete pre-event and post-event surveys to assess their awareness of and interest in clinical pharmacy. Volunteer pharmacists were also surveyed after the event. FindingsTwenty-eight individuals attended the event. Nineteen students completed both the pre- and post-survey. The comparison between median score pre- and post-event was analyzed with the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test. Students’ awareness and knowledge of clinical pharmacy improved after attending the event. Students’ interest in a career in clinical pharmacy also increased after attending the event. Nine of the thirteen volunteer breakout session pharmacists (69%) responded to the post-event survey. The majority strongly agreed that participants were interested in learning about their area of practice and asked meaningful questions appropriate for their area of practice. Discussion and conclusionsThe Exploring Careers in Clinical Pharmacy event increased awareness of clinical pharmacy career choices available within the profession of pharmacy. Local, regional, and national pharmacy organizations may consider utilizing the diverse talent of their membership and collaborate with colleges of pharmacy or other organizations to impact the knowledge, awareness, and interest in clinical pharmacy as a future career choice for pre-pharmacy and current pharmacy students.