The Need for Nationwide Electronic Cigarette Smoking Cessation Curricula Across the Healthcare Spectrum.

Using electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) has become a stepping stone for smokers in their cessation of tobacco use. Students within Doctor of Pharmacy and other health care programs have expressed varying responses as to how likely they are to recommend ENDS based on their knowledge of these devices. Because the amount of education on these products provided by PharmD programs varies, one study shows student pharmacists were less likely to recommend the use of ENDS to current cigarette smokers. This commentary suggests why some student pharmacists support such recommendations and therefore require more adequate ENDS education to better equip themselves for future patient education counseling sessions.

A Student-Led Elective Provides Quality Improvement Feedback for a Required Compounding Course.

Objective. To implement an advanced elective compounding course where pharmacy students conduct investigations to improve compounding-related issues that were subsequently evaluated in a required compounding course. Methods. The elective compounding course required students to engage in self-directed learning, critical thinking, creation and evaluation of laboratory data, and self- and group reflection. Students researched and developed "solutions" to compounded preparation problems, and their solutions were tested in the next iteration of a required compounding course. For example, students in the elective course identified sources of potency variability in a ketoprofen Pluronic organogel (PLO) emulsion preparation. The students identified six variables and executed an investigative action plan. They considered all data collected and proposed a method to reduce potency variation. The recommended solution was implemented in the next offering of a required compounding course and the potency variability results were compared to the previous required course's results. Results. The mean ketoprofen PLO emulsion potency achieved in the required course prior to implementing the elective course recommendation was 129% (SD 21%), n=158. After the recommended change from elective course was implemented, the mean potency was 118% (SD 21%), n=131. Conclusion. The teaching methods and activities conducted in the elective course provided students with a deeper level of learning and understanding of compounding science, while providing practical experience in scientific research methodology. The course also provided a cyclic quality improvement feedback mechanism for the required course.