Pharmacy Graduates Research Articles

Contribution of pharmacy education to pharmaceutical research and development: critical insights from educators.

This article examines the outputs of pharmaceutical education with the development of the pharmacy profession and how that affects pharmaceutical innovation. It also discusses different models of collaboration between the academic and pharmaceutical industry in order to achieve a healthy collaboration between the stakeholders. The perspective, experiences and insights of educators from various backgrounds, origin and educational levels were sought regarding the role of pharmacy education in providing pharmaceutical research and development workforce. Many countries around the world are currently undertaking major reforms in pharmacy education due to the changing landscape of health and healthcare delivery. These reforms must be accompanied by robust systems to assure that the quality of educational structures, processes and outcomes will produce competent pharmacy graduates in the future. It is also considered imperative that pharmacy academic institutions should establish collaboration with the drug development units, the pharmaceutical industry and government agencies for sustainability and positive research outcomes. Shortcomings in pharmacy curricula need to be addressed and the authors have proposed the 'TARGET' approach for the development of integrated pharmacy curriculum to substantially contribute to pharmaceutical research and development.

Mapping the postgraduate year one pharmacy accreditation standards to the core entrustable professional activities

AbstractIntroductionPostgraduate year one (PGY1) pharmacy residency is a common training path for pharmacy graduates. As the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) have published the Core Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) as a standard for new pharmacy graduates, mapping these competencies to the American Society of Health‐System Pharmacists (ASHP) PGY1 pharmacy residency standards may allow for progression tracking.MethodsUsing group consensus, the guidance documents from the ASHP PGY1 pharmacy residency standards and the AACP Core EPAs for new pharmacy graduates were compared and mapped.ResultsThe ASHP PGY1 pharmacy residency standards included one additional tier (ie, goals) when evaluating structural levels compared with the AACP Core EPAs. All of the 15 AACP Core EPAs mapped to at least one ASHP educational objective. In addition, all of the ASHP educational objectives mapped to the Core EPAs except for one objective in Patient Care and four in the Leadership and Management competency areas.DiscussionWith only a slight difference in structure and a small gap between ASHP education objectives and AACP EPAs, tracking of progression from new pharmacy graduate to postgraduate pharmacy resident may be possible. Greater consensus around leveling and general use with EPAs will provide further insight.

A PharmD program curricular approach to addressing the opioid crisis

Background and purposeThe opioid crisis in the United States is widespread and requires large scale efforts to reduce the problem. A recent call by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy requested commitments by member schools to enact curricular changes in order to prepare pharmacy graduates to be impactful in addressing the opioid crisis. Educational activityA taskforce reviewed existing pain management and opioid-related curricular content in the North Dakota State University School of Pharmacy (NDSU SOP). As a result, all pre-existing opioid-related content was maintained and six new educational activities were designed and implemented to enhance hands-on experience and application of pain management and opioid-related concepts and skills. Students were surveyed after completing the pre-APPE curriculum regarding their confidence in identifying inappropriate use of opioids and engaging in conversations with patients about safe opioid use. FindingsThe full longitudinal approach to addressing pain management and opioid content in the North Dakota State University School of Pharmacy program is described. Curricular gap analysis, thoughtful coordination, faculty collaboration, and curriculum mapping were required in order to bring the full pain management and opioid curricular plan to fruition. The vast majority of students were confident in their ability to counsel patients on appropriate options for safe use and disposal of opioids (96%) and their ability to determine if a patient is at risk for opioid misuse (92%). A lower percentage (71%) were confident in their ability to converse with patients regarding opioid misuse concerns. SummaryThis is the first report to summarize a longitudinal, curriculum-wide approach taken to address the opioid crisis in the United States and in response to AACP's call to action for pharmacy schools. This description may be valuable to other pharmacy and health professions educational programs in search of means to implement and/or enhance their current curricular offerings related to pain management and opioids.

Employment Trends for Doctor of Pharmacy Graduates of Research-Intensive Institutions, 2013-2017

Objective. To determine the current state of employment for doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) graduates based on 5-year trends among graduates of research-intensive institutions and the Pharmacist Demand Index. Methods. Data from a cross-sectional survey of PharmD graduates from 10 research-intensive colleges of pharmacy conducted over a 5-year period were used to generate an overview of graduating students' experiences and the outcomes of their job searches. Results. The average response rate of graduates of programs over the 5 years was 75.4%. Overall, 86% of graduates had postgraduate placements (ie, jobs, residencies, fellowships, further education) at the time of graduation. Across all years, 85% of respondents who had placements indicated they were satisfied with the postgraduation offer they received. Conclusion. An examination of postgraduate outcomes of research-intensive schools and the Pharmacist Demand Indicator over the past 5 years indicates a trend toward a balance between the supply and demand for pharmacists. Careful attention needs to be given to these two metrics moving forward.

Pharmacy student-led blood pressure clinic as part of a comprehensive approach to teaching blood pressure assessment

Background and purposeHypertension is highly prevalent and sub-optimally controlled in many patients. Strong evidence supports the role of pharmacists in assessing blood pressure (BP) and managing hypertension; however, there is limited literature on curricular activities to prepare pharmacy graduates for this role. Educational activity and settingThis study describes the integration of a BP screening clinic at a tertiary-care cardiac centre as part of a second-year pharmacy curriculum and its impact on pharmacy students' perceived ability and confidence in BP measurement and patient education on hypertension. FindingsWe analyzed anonymized course feedback from students attending the BP clinic from 2014 to 2017. The response rate was 96.5% (498/516). Over 90% of students greatly/mostly agreed that participating in the BP screening clinic improved both their ability and confidence in manually measuring BP. Additionally, over 75% greatly/mostly agreed that participating in the clinic improved their ability and confidence in educating patients about hypertension prevention and management. In addition to technical aspects of BP measurement such as landmarking and correct positioning, students reported experiences from the clinic enriched several non-technical skills, including communication, information gathering, public engagement, and advocacy. SummaryImplementing a BP screening clinic at a tertiary-care healthcare facility as part of a second-year pharmacy curriculum improved students' self-reported ability and confidence in manually measuring BP and educating members of the public.

Pharmacy Practice and Education in Finland.

The Pharmacy Education in Europe (PHARMINE) project studies pharmacy practice and education in the European Union (EU) member states. The work was carried out using an electronic survey sent to chosen pharmacy representatives. The surveys of the individual member states are now being published as reference documents for students and staff interested in research on pharmacy education in the EU, and in mobility. This paper presents the results of the PHARMINE survey on pharmacy practice and education in Finland. Pharmacies have a monopoly on the dispensation of medicines. They can also provide diagnostic services. Proviisori act as pharmacy owners and managers. They follow a five-year (M.Sc. Pharm.) degree course with a six-month traineeship. Farmaseutti, who follow a three-year (B.Sc. Pharm.) degree course (also with a six-month traineeship), can dispense medicines and counsel patients in Finland. The B.Sc. and the first three years of the M.Sc. involve the same course. The current pharmacy curriculum (revised in 2014) is based on five strands: (1) pharmacy as a multidisciplinary science with numerous opportunities in the working life, (2) basics of pharmaceutical sciences, (3) patient and medication, (4) optional studies and selected study paths, and (5) drug development and use. The learning outcomes of the pharmacy graduates include (1) basics of natural sciences: chemistry, physics, technology, biosciences required for all the students (B.Sc. and M.Sc.), (2) medicine and medication: compounding of medicines, holism of medication, pharmacology and biopharmaceutics (side-effects and interactions), patient counseling, efficacy and safety of medicines and medication, (3) comprehensive and supportive interactions of the various disciplines of pharmacy education and research: the role and significance of pharmacy as a discipline in society, the necessary skills and knowledge in scientific thinking and pharmaceutical research, and (4) basics of economics and management, multidisciplinarity, hospital pharmacy, scientific writing skills, management skills. In addition, teaching and learning of “general skills”, such as the pharmacist’s professional identity and the role in society as a part of the healthcare system, critical and creative thinking, problem-solving skills, personal learning skills and life-long learning, attitude and sense of responsibility, and communication skills are developed in direct association with subject-specific courses. Professional specialization studies in industrial pharmacy, and community and hospital pharmacy are given at the post-graduate level at the University of Helsinki.

Evaluation of pharmacy student perceptions and stereotypes of healthcare professionals before and after an internal medicine advanced pharmacy practice experience

BackgroundA focus of delivering effective patient-centered care is working as an interprofessional team. Pharmacy students may harbor stereotypes of other healthcare professions that could impede collaboration. The objective of this study was to assess pharmacy student ratings of pharmacists and other healthcare professionals' characteristics before and after their internal medicine advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) to determine if the APPE altered their stereotypes. A pre- and post-survey utilizing the Student Stereotypes Rating Questionnaire (SSRQ) was used to carry out the study goals. ImpactStudents had more interactions with pharmacists, physicians, and nurses than with other professionals. Pharmacy students' perceptions of their own profession (autostereotypes) were higher compared to the other disciplines, with a movement towards equality following APPE completion. Students also rated professionals lower if they completed the survey in earlier APPE blocks. These results are limited by the lack of coupling between surveys, a low response rate, and incomplete surveys. RecommendationsMethods that would have strengthened results include focusing on the healthcare professionals that students interacted with most, quantifying the number of experiences they had with each group before and after the rotation, requiring answers to all survey questions, and a strategy to match pre- and post-survey results. DiscussionDespite the limitations of the study, the experiences gained during the APPE positively impacted student perceptions and attitudes towards other healthcare disciplines. This experience type may be a key component to producing pharmacy graduates who are prepared to work collaboratively with other professionals.

Evolution of the Romanian Pharmaceutical System in the Period 1990-Present

In this study I present the evolution of the number of Pharmacies, Pharmacists, Pharmacy graduates, Pharmacy/Population ratio, Pharmacist/Population after 1990. If in 1990 there were 1948 pharmacies, in 2017 their number reached 7945. And the number of pharmacists increased in a fast pace, in 1990 were 6286 to a population of 23206720 inhabitants, in 2017 their number reached 17833 in a population of 19588146 inhabitants. In 2017 the Pharmacy/Population ratio is 2465 and the Pharmacist/Population ratio is 1098. This increase in the number of pharmacists was due to the establishment of new Pharmacy Faculties in different cities of the country after 1990. I also succinctly present the Legislation that has undergone a number of changes over time and has influenced the evolution of these indicators: Law No. 95 of 14 April 2006 on Health Reform, Order of the Minister of Health No. 2234 of 1994, Order of Health Minister No. 201 of 1999, Order of the Minister of Health and Family No. 626 of 2001, Order of Health Minister No. 1199 of 2004, Order of Health Minister No. 962/2009, Law No. 266 of 2008 of the Pharmacy, Law No. 266 of 2008 of the Pharmacy, Reprocessed, Law No. 46 of 21 January 2003 on Patients' Rights.

Greg Higby and the History of Pharmacy

It has been my great pleasure to have known Greg Higby for nearly forty years as a friend, colleague, and counselor. Greg started in the History of Pharmacy graduate program at the University of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy the year before I arrived in Madison in January 1980. There was another

Celebrating the class of 1979 Portsmouth pharmacy graduates

Celebrating the class of 1979 Portsmouth pharmacy graduates

Greg Higby and the History of Pharmacy

It has been my great pleasure to have known Greg Higby for nearly forty years as a friend, colleague, and counselor. Greg started in the History of Pharmacy graduate program at the University of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy the year before I arrived in Madison in January 1980. There was another

PHARMACOGNOSY AND NEW TRENDS OF B. PHARM SYLLABI

Objective: The Pharmacy profession has evolved from its conventional drug focused basis to an advanced patient focused basis over the years. Accordingly, many universities worldwide are modifying their Curricula in order to reflect this change.Methods: This paper investigates and compares the syllabi of B. Pharm for different Universities in Africa and Asia. Pharmacy Syllabi of the included Universities is presented in the form of Sectors, i.e. Pharmaceutical Sciences, Clinical Pharmacy, Biomedical, Training and University Requirements. Percentage analysis of credit hours allotted to courses of each Sector performed with special emphasis on courses of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Science in comparison to courses of Clinical Pharmacy.There is a substantial decrease in teaching hours of Pharmaceutical Sciences, particularly Pharmacognosy within the B. Pharm Curricula of some of the included Universities at the expense of including more courses in Clinical Pharmacy.Results: Pharmacists are scientists as well as clinicians, and basic science knowledge such as pharmaceutical sciences, give pharmacy graduates critical scientific foundations, in this regard, the reduction in pharmaceutical sciences content in a pharmacy curriculum may compromise the competence of pharmacy graduates, as the drug experts from the basic science level to the clinical level.Conclusion: The impact of reducing pharmaceutical science content, may compromise the Pharmacist ability to assume certain duties in the countries included in the study. This in consideration that Clinical Pharmacy is not widely practiced in the investigated countries and its application is limited compared to other job opportunities available for Pharmacy graduates of these countries such as Community Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Industries, marketing and sales and utilization of natural resources of medicinal plants by research and development units.Recommendations on how to avoid such decrease in teaching hours of Pharmaceutical Courses and fulfil the job requirements in the above countries are given.

Academic Reinforcement Project of Biochemistry I Discipline of UFRGS Pharmacy Course

INTRODUCTION: Biochemistry studies chemical transformations in uni or multicellular living beings. It analyzes physiological processes and evaluates their modifications in pathological conditions. It assists in diagnosis and pharmacological intervention of several diseases, characterizing its importance in health area. In Pharmacy graduation course (UFRGS) until 2017 there were two disciplines - Biochemistry I and Biochemistry II - offered by the Biochemistry Department, ICBS. Both were compulsory, present in third and fourth curriculum stages, had eight credits, distributed in theoretical, theoretical-practical and practical contents. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this work was to report the development, since the second half of 2014 year, of this project which offered extra class assistance to students with difficulty to understand the Biochemistry I contents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The project was developed weekly by student-monitor, according to the demand of registered students. The reviewed contents were: amino acids, peptides, proteins, enzymes, biological oxidation, chemistry and carbohydrate metabolism. The activities were previously commented by the participating teachers and monitor. The classroom or distance methodologies consisted of: a) discussion of thematic doubts between students and the monitor; b) resolution of pertinent exercises; c) navigation guided in learning objects. DISCUSSION AND RESULTS: One of the goals of the reinforcement project was to reduce the failure rate of students enrolled in the discipline to 25%. We observed that this objective was surpassed in the semester 2015-1, where the percentage of disapproval fell to 8.5%. But in 2015-2 this percentage rose to 31%. However, it is worth mentioning the massive approval of the participating students during the six semesters in which the project was developed (70-85%). CONCLUSION: These data reveal the project efficiency and the participants’ commitment. We intend to continue the reinforcement activities, as an additional tool, for the appropriation of basic Biochemistry knowledge by the future pharmaceutical professional.

Role of Communication Skill and Good Documentation Practice in the Overall Development of the Pharmacy Graduates in India: An Observational Study with Classroom Record-Daily Laboratory Record-Human Resource Record (CR-DR-HR) Model

Abstract: Objective: The aim of this observational research study was to bring up the issues related to Communication skill (CS) and Good documentation practice (GDP) in one of the pharmacy college in India and its impact on the students in their overall personality development and job perspectives. These skills are like an accelerator which is required to facilitate the smooth sailing of the business. Methods: The new study model was developed and employed to conduct this observational research study for final year B. Pharm and M. Pharm students which is called as Classroom Record-Daily laboratory Record-Human resource Record (CR-DR-HR) model. Classroom data collected through continuous learning activity from everyday class assessment, Daily laboratory data collected through the practical records and laboratory assessments and Human resource (HR) feedback was collected, analysed and then conveyed by HR department to the investigators. A course end evaluation was conducted through the administration of a questionnaire to all participants. Results and Discussion: The result clearly suggested that the students who are effectively communicating and efficiently marshalling the documents have been enjoying their positions better than those who did not acquire this quality in college level. The findings of the study suggested that the curricula should adopt CS and GDP as the main line practice where students should be allowed to learn these practices right from the beginning of the semesters. Conclusion: Teaching and learning curriculum programs should emphasis on to create the proper environment to enhance communication and interpersonal skills that help students to develop personal effectiveness which ultimately empowers them with the feeling of employability Key words: Communication skill, Good documentation practice, B. Pharm, M. Pharm, Human resource, Curriculum.

Mineração de dados aplicada aos riscos da obesidade em Cascavel/PR

O objetivo do estudo foi obter padrões refentes a obesidade e seus fatores de risco cardiovascular e de comorbidade na cidade de Cascavel – PR, por meio da aplicação de técnicas da Mineração de Dados (MD). Os dados sobre obesidade foram coletados durante o projeto de extensão do curso de Farmácia da Unioeste, por meio de questionário com perguntas fechadas, que foram analisadas no programa Weka, e os resultados comparados com a literatura. De acordo com as árvores de decisões geradas, os indivíduos obesos, com elevada circunferência abdominal possuem maiores riscos cardiovasculares e de comorbidades. O melhor resultado da avaliação do modelo gerado para o atributo meta risco cardiovascular apresentou uma acurácia de 94,8%, com 110 instâncias classificadas corretamente, e para o atributo meta risco de comorbidade a acurácia foi de 84%. A MD gerou informações úteis para a tomada de decisões a partir do banco de dados construído, auxiliando na seleção de parâmetros relevantes para a obtenção de indicadores da saúde pública.

Training future clinicians: An interprofessional approach to treating tobacco use and dependence

ABSTRACTThe high prevalence of smoking among persons with mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders has not changed in the past decade despite a decline in smoking among the general population. Interprofessional collaborative care offers clinicians the opportunity to engage their patients in tobacco cessation treatment that is coordinated and comprehensive. Investigators applied a 1-group, pre/post-test design with qualitative and quantitative descriptive analyses to estimate the impact of an interprofessional tobacco education program on perceived self-efficacy and self-reported counseling abilities of graduate nursing, social work, and pharmacy (PharmD) students (N = 36; nursing, n = 13, n = 9 PharmD, n = 14 social work) to treat tobacco dependence among this subpopulation of smokers, and to assess their perceptions of interprofessional education. All participants completed a 2-h web-based module, a 3-h classroom training, a simulation with a standardized patient, and a group audio-recorded debriefing session with faculty. Emergent themes from qualitative analyses were valuing simulations, demystifying disciplines, reflecting on and critiquing practice, and lessons learned. Participants’ perceived self-efficacy, self-rated counseling ability, intention to ask about tobacco use, and intention to provide counseling for tobacco cessation increased significantly. Teaching students an interprofessional team approach appears to be effective in enhancing counseling abilities and self-efficacy and may positively influence health professions students’ perceptions of interprofessional education. Larger studies are recommended to validate the results of this pilot study.

WOMEN IN THE EARLY DAYS OF PHARMACY IN GREAT BRITAIN

This paper deals with the beginnings and historical evolution of Pharmacy studies in Great Britain and on the role played by the first women who practiced the profession there, The circumstances of that time, which made very difficult for a woman to work in that area, the biography of the first English woman licensed in Pharmacy, Fanny Deacon, and the biographies of the women who followed her as graduates in Pharmacy in Great Britain are commented, detailing not only their personal data but also the impact they had on the evolution and development of Pharmacy studies in their country. These women were Alice Vickery, Isabella Skinner Clarke, Margaret Elizabeth Buchanan, Rose Coombes Minshull and Agnes Thompson Borrowman.The main objective of the paper is to reveal the figures of these first women in Pharmacy in Great Britain to society, To do this, the methodology used has been the usual in researches of this type: search of data on these women in bibliographical and computer sources, as well as in historic archives. As the main results, the biographies of these pioneers pharmacist women mentioned above have been elaborated

Identification of Key Business and Management Skills Needed for Pharmacy Graduates

Objective. To identify key business, management, and human resources skills needed by pharmacy graduates. Methods. Pharmacy preceptors were recruited for inclusion in one of four focus groups. At each focus group, participants were asked to complete a demographic questionnaire and to identify key skills that new graduates need but do not have. Each focus group was audio-recorded, transcribed, de-identified, and categorized using a data dictionary. Results. Twenty-seven preceptors participated in the focus groups. Fourteen participants had a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Participants were involved in management positions for a median of 10.5 years (range 5-21 years) and 50% (median) of their time was devoted to management responsibilities (range 20%-80%). Seven themes were identified as being most critical: communication, business skills, decision-making and time management, conflict resolution, leadership and professionalism, personnel management, and computer software techniques. Conclusion. Communication was the most prominent skill identified, followed by decision-making and business knowledge. These skills should be addressed in pharmacy curricula. Future research should focus on how to best teach these skills.

What is required to assure all pharmacy graduates are “team‐ready” clinicians?

What is required to assure all pharmacy graduates are “team‐ready” clinicians?

An analysis of pharmacy workforce capacity in Nigeria

BackgroundPharmacists are critical for attaining the goal of universal health coverage and equitable access to essential health services, particularly in relation to access to medicines and medicines expertise. We describe an analysis of the pharmacy workforce in Nigeria from 2011 to 2016 in order to gain insight on capacity and to inform pharmacy workforce planning and policy development in the country.MethodThe study was conducted using census data obtained from the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) via a validated data collection tool. The statistical methods used for analysis were descriptive (frequencies, percentages, mean) and linear regression. Secondary data on population distribution per state was obtained from the Federal Bureau of Statistics and the National Population Commission (NPC) of Nigeria.ResultThe data showed 21,892 registered pharmacists with only 59% (n = 12,807) in active professional practice. There are also more male (62%) compared to female pharmacists while 42% of the licensed workforce with known area of practice are in community practice followed by hospital pharmacy (11%). A rise in number of pharmacists (0.53–0.66) and new pharmacy graduates per year (0.062–0.083) per 10,000 population was observed over the five years analysed; however the overall density remains significantly low. Pharmacists’ density also varied considerably between states (Median = 0.39; Min - Max: 0.05–4.3). Regionally, more than a third (~ 40%) of the licensed workforce and community pharmacies are situated in the South West region with fewer than 10% of the total in the North East and North West regions combined. A steady decline in number of pharmacists requesting a “letter of good standing” from PCN, a proxy measure of intent to migrate was also observed.ConclusionThe data indicate ongoing deficits in availability and supply of pharmacists in the country with widespread variance in distribution observed across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The findings suggest that observed deficits are not solely related to out-migration and highlights the need for policies that will promote increased within-country availability, equitable distribution and retention, especially in the underserved regions of North East and North West of Nigeria.