Improving young patient - practitioner communication about sexual health during medical visits.

OBJECTIVES: Young people face barriers that lead to gaps in sexual and reproductive health care communications. Issues such as discomfort discussing sexual health lead to inadequate delivery of services resulting in unintended pregnancies and STIs. Closing this communication gap between patients and health care practitioners would improve communication and health outcomes. The objective of this study was to gain feedback from focus groups about: (a) barriers and facilitators to communication surrounding sexual health and (b) the feasibility and acceptability of a question prompt list (QPL) and informational video emphasizing asking questions about sexual health during medical visits as tools young people could use to be more involved during visits. METHODS: Three focus groups were conducted: two with young adults (n=14) and one with practitioners (n=5) of sexual/reproductive health care services. Practitioners were recruited from healthcare clinics. RESULTS: Young adults were aged 18-22 years old. Participants identified barriers to communication such as embarrassment over sexual health topics and practitioner assumptions about patients' base of knowledge. A facilitator to communication was patient-friendly language. Focus group participants offered suggestions on how to improve the QPL as well as themes that should be covered in an educational video. Participants viewed the QPL and educational video as useful for encouraging conversations between patient and practitioner. CONCLUSIONS: Many barriers obstruct communication between young adults and practitioners on topics relating to sexual health. Both the QPL and an educational video could be used to enhance patient-practitioner communication.

Assessing the safety and efficacy of prescribing psychologists in New Mexico and Louisiana.

This study aimed to compare patient outcomes between prescribing psychologists, psychiatrists, and primary care physicians (PCPs). Private insurance claims (2005-2021; n = 307,478) were used to conduct an active comparator, new user longitudinal cohort study developed using target trial emulation. Inverse propensity for treatment weighting was used to adjust for baseline differences in a range of sociodemographic, clinical, and contextual patient factors. Differences in the 1-year rate of health care visits for adverse drug events (ADEs), psychiatric emergency department (ED) utilization, medication adherence, and psychotropic polypharmacy were identified between prescribing psychologists and the other provider types using doubly robust Cox proportional hazards models. Compared to patients of psychiatrists, patients of prescribing psychologists had a 24% lower rate of ADEs (95% CI [0.60, 0.96]), a 20% lower rate of psychotropic polypharmacy (95% CI [0.74, 0.86]), and similar rates of psychiatric ED utilization and medication nonadherence. Compared to patients of PCPs, patients of prescribing psychologists had 138% higher rates of psychiatric ED utilization (95% CI [1.67, 3.39]), 175% higher rates of psychotropic polypharmacy (95% CI [2.53, 2.99]), 28% lower rates of medication nonadherence (95% CI [0.66, 0.78]), and similar rates of ADEs. Using robust pharmacoepidemiological methods, we noted that among mental health specialists, prescribing psychologists appear to be as safe and efficacious as psychiatrists in a large sample of privately insured patients. Notable differences in safety and efficacy when compared to PCPs may be attributable to differences between specialty and primary care. Future research on prescribing psychologists should move toward studies of care quality. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

An evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of population genetic screening for familial hypercholesterolemia in US patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Familial hypercholesterolemia is an underdiagnosed genetic metabolic condition limiting the clearance of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and increasing lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease. Population genetic screening in unselected individuals could quickly identify cases of familial hypercholesterolemia and enable early prevention, but the economic impact of widespread screening on patients has not been studied. METHODS: We assessed the cost-effectiveness of population genetic screening for familial hypercholesterolemia in 20 and 35-year-old adults in the United States from the perspective of patients. We developed a decision tree Markov hybrid model to examine diagnoses, cardiovascular disease, cardiac events, quality of life, and costs under population genetic screening compared to family-based cascade testing. RESULTS: While population genetic screening increased diagnoses and reduced incidence of cardiovascular disease, population genetic screening was not cost-effective compared to cascade testing at current levels of willingness to pay. Lower genetic testing costs, combined screening with other genetic conditions, and support to maintain lipid-lowering therapy use over time could improve the cost-effectiveness of population genetic screening. CONCLUSIONS: Future research is needed to examine how cost-sharing strategies may affect the cost-effectiveness of screening to patients and how families and providers experience the clinical and economic outcomes of population screening.

Demographics and clinical characteristics of patients of prescribing psychologists, psychiatrists, and primary care physicians.

To describe the characteristics of patients receiving psychotropic medication from prescribing psychologists, psychiatrists, and primary care physicians. This descriptive study was conducted using private insurance claims of patients from New Mexico and Louisiana receiving psychotropic medications (anticonvulsants, antidepressants, antipsychotics, hypotensive agents, anxiolytics/sedatives/hypnotics, and stimulants) from 2004 to 2021 (N = 307,478). Patient characteristics were captured during the 6 months prior to their first psychotropic medication using administrative information, diagnosis and procedure codes, and medication data. Logistic regression models estimated the associations of patient characteristics with prescriber type. Additional logistic regression models estimated the association of prescriber type with medication classes prescribed. Patients were most likely to see specialists (psychologists or psychiatrists) if they had bipolar disorder (average marginal effect and 95% CI 0.214 [0.196, 0.231]), schizophrenia/psychotic disorders (0.118 [0.097, 0.138]), or had 1-4 visits of psychotherapy (0.267 [0.258, 0.026]). Specialist patients were most likely to see a prescribing psychologist if they had 1-4 visits of psychotherapy (0.196 [0.183, 0.210]) or had insomnia (0.309 [0.203, 0.415]). Prescribing psychologists were more likely to prescribe antidepressants (0.028 [0.011, 0.045]) and less likely to prescribe antipsychotics (-0.016 [-0.020, -0.012]) than psychiatrists. Primary care physicians were less likely to prescribe all psychotropic medications except antidepressants (0.011 [0.002, 0.019]) and anxiolytics (0.074 [0.067, 0.080]). Prescribing psychologists treat patients who are more similar to those of psychiatrists than patients of primary care physicians; they are less likely to prescribe antipsychotics and more likely to prescribe antidepressants. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

A comparison of aminoglycoside antibiotic serum concentrations collected by peripheral veins and peripherally inserted central catheters in adults with cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: People with cystic fibrosis (PwCF) are frequently hospitalized for treatment of pulmonary exacerbation. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Pulmonary Guidelines support the use of intravenous aminoglycosides with therapeutic drug monitoring for the treatment of pulmonary exacerbation due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Serum intravenous tobramycin concentrations are commonly collected by peripheral venipuncture (PV). Discomfort associated with collection of samples by PV prompts collection via PICC, but the accuracy of intravenous tobramycin serum levels collected by PICC has not been documented in adult PwCF. The primary study objective was to evaluate the difference between intravenous tobramycin serum levels collected by PV and PICC in adult PwCF. METHODS: The authors conducted a prospective case-control study of adult PwCF admitted to University of Utah Health for a pulmonary exacerbation receiving tobramycin by a single lumen PICC. The authors compared tobramycin peak and random serum levels collected by PV and PICC using a detailed flush and waste protocol. RESULTS: The authors analyzed a total of 19 patients with peripheral and PICC samples. The mean tobramycin peak collected by PV (27.2 mcg/mL) was similar to the mean peak collected by PICC (26.9 mcg/mL) (paired samples Wilcoxon signed-rank test, p = .94). The correlation coefficient was 0.88 (95% CI = 0.85-0.91, p < .001). CONCLUSION: Tobramycin serum samples collected by PICC appear to be similar in value to PV collections. Collecting aminoglycoside levels by PICC rather than PV may reduce patient discomfort and improve quality of life. Additional multicenter studies are needed to confirm these results.

Implementation of patient priorities-aligned care in a home-based primary care program.

BACKGROUND: Older adults may be limited in their ability to access care that meets their health goals owing to disease burden, financial instability, and psychosocial barriers. A home-based primary care (HBPC) program established in 2020 within a large family medicine practice uses the Patient Priorities Care (PPC) approach to identify and address patients' health priorities. When incorporated as part of the HBPC model of care, the PPC approach has the potential to enhance person-centered care for older adults in a way that best supports their health goals. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to summarize common recommendations for alignment of care with patients' health outcome goals after implementation of the PPC approach in an HBPC population. METHODS: This retrospective study was exempt from review by an institutional review board. After enrollment in the HBPC program, patients participated in a PPC priorities identification conversation to identify their health outcome goals and care preferences. Through chart review, 2 researchers independently categorized these goals based on the set of values they most reflect: connecting, managing health, enjoying life, and functioning. Aspects of care in place before enrollment in HBPC were considered to determine any adjustments that needed to be made to align care with patients' identified priorities. RESULTS: The most common value associated with patients' most desired health outcome goal was functioning (n = 33, 66%). For secondary and tertiary health outcome goals, the most common value identified was managing health (secondary, n = 28, 56%; tertiary, n = 22, 44%). Common recommendations made to align care with patients' identified priorities included stopping potentially harmful medications, starting medications for untreated conditions, starting physical or occupational therapy, and adjusting medications. CONCLUSION: Through the PPC approach, patients' values were identified and care was assessed to aid in attainment of individualized health outcome goals and tailor care to What Matters most.

Access to on-campus contraception on college and university campuses in North Carolina.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Unintended pregnancies occur more frequently in college students and negatively affect health outcomes and educational attainment. This study examined access to on-campus contraceptives at all 4-year colleges and universities in North Carolina (NC). METHODS: This institutional review board-exempt study evaluated availability of on-campus contraceptives including condoms; hormonal contraceptives including pills, patches, and vaginal rings; medroxyprogesterone injections; implants; intrauterine devices; and emergency contraception via website review. Institutions were stratified by characteristics including size, location, type (e.g., public, private, religious affiliation, historically black colleges and universities, women's colleges), and presence of a student health pharmacy. Comparisons were made using chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Fifty-four 4-year colleges and universities were identified. A plurality or the majority of schools were considered small (41%) and urban (48%) and had a religious affiliation (61%). Thirty-three percent of colleges and universities had an on-campus pharmacy. The most frequent contraceptives offered were condoms (43%), oral contraceptives (33%), and medroxyprogesterone injections (22%). Emergency contraception was available at approximately one-third of colleges and universities. Six percent of institutions provided a full range of contraceptive methods. Contraceptives were offered more frequently at large, public, urban institutions, whereas religious institutions and smaller institutions were less likely to offer contraceptives. CONCLUSION: Access to on-campus contraception for college students in NC is lacking, and the vast majority of institutions did not provide a full range of contraceptives. Policy measures, such as enhancing reproductive health services at student health centers or increasing contraception availability directly through pharmacies, are needed to improve access for college students.

Improving Patient Access to Primary Care Providers Using a Pharmacist-Physician Co-Visit Model.

Background: Implementation of a clinical pharmacist in the primary care setting can offset provider time spent managing chronic diseases using Collaborative Practice Agreements (CPAs). The pharmacist-physician co-visit model presents an opportunity for pharmacists to increase patient access to their primary care provider (PCP). Studies of the co-visit model show that co-visits increase clinic efficiency by allowing the PCP to see additional patients and achieve more health care goals compared with independent visits1-4. Objectives: The aim of this study was to increase patient access to their PCP by utilizing a pharmacist-physician co-visit model at the Madsen Health Center Family Medicine (MHC FM) Clinic. The primary outcome was to identify the number of co-visits completed compared to the number of possible co-visits, and the number of appointment slots made available. The secondary outcomes were to track the time spent with patients and to obtain provider feedback via a survey. Methods: The co-visit model was implemented as a 4-month pilot study at the MHC FM Clinic. Complex care appointments lasting 40 minutes were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Potential co-visit appointments were identified one week prior then provider consent was obtained to change the appointment into two separate 20-minute visits. Schedules were reviewed to determine if the appointment slot opened by the co-visit was filled by another patient. Upon completion of the study, a survey was distributed to providers to collect feedback. Results: A total of five co-visits were completed out of a possible 19 (26%). All the appointments made available were filled by another patient. On average, the provider and pharmacist spent 15 and 14 minutes with the patient, respectively. Conclusion: Implementation of the physician-pharmacist co-visit model increased the availability of the PCP to see more patients without disrupting clinic workflow and provider schedules.

A stakeholder-developed logic model to improve utilization of pharmacy-prescribed contraception in Utah.

BACKGROUND: Currently, 20 states in the USA have passed policies allowing pharmacists to prescribe short-acting hormonal contraception, including pills, patches, and vaginal rings. Yet, utilization of these services remains limited. The purpose of this study was to (a) assess barriers and facilitators of pharmacy contraceptive dispensing among contraceptive users, pharmacists, and healthcare providers in Utah and (b) adapt and propose an evidence-based contraceptive intervention in the pharmacy environment. METHODS: We conducted 6 focus groups among contraceptive users, pharmacists, and healthcare providers assessing current barriers and facilitators to pharmacy prescribing. We coded transcripts of these focus groups to the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, Version 2.0 (CFIR) and characterized the findings based on the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) Barrier-Busting tool. Based on the CFIR findings and ERIC strategies output, we adapted an existing evidence-based intervention (a contraceptive access initiative) to the Utah pharmacy environment. We then convened a pharmacy stakeholder meeting and presented elements of an Implementation Research Logic Model and obtained feedback. We coded this feedback to the CFIR framework to finalize an Implementation Research Logic Model for a proposed implementation approach to improving contraceptive prescribing. RESULTS: Initial focus group responses clustered around specific implementation barriers including financial barriers (cost for patients, as well as lack of reimbursement for pharmacist's time); lack of awareness of the service (on the part of patients, pharmacists, and health care providers); need for updated tools for contraceptive counseling and scheduling; and need for increased pharmacists education to conduct contraceptive counseling. Proposed adaptations to the existing contraceptive access intervention included development of a technology-based patient/pharmacist screener tool and a healthcare provider/pharmacist contraceptive referral network. Stakeholders identified pharmacist reimbursement as the top priority for improving utilization. CONCLUSIONS: Elements of contraceptive access initiatives mapped well as proposed implementation strategies to improving utilization of contraceptive prescribing in pharmacies.

Examining differences in opioid deaths by race in North Carolina following the STOP Act, 2010-2019.

INTRODUCTION: North Carolina's 2017 STOP Act implemented several measures to address the increasing opioid overdose death rate. However, due to racial differences prescription opioid use and treatment service access, the STOP Act may exhibit differential impacts by race. This study examined the impact of the STOP Act on opioid overdose deaths by race. METHODS: State-level secondary data were compiled for all 50 states. Race-stratified opioid overdose rates were obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's WONDER database from 2010 to 2019. The study obtained state-level population characteristics from the Current Population Surveys from 2010 to 2016, the CDC's 2017 Drug Surveillance Report, the National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services from 2011 to 2016, and the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2010 to 2016. We obtained outcomes from 2010 to 2019 and state characteristics were obtained for the pre-STOP Act period (2010-2016) as available. Using the synthetic control method, we created two synthetic North Carolinas, one Black/African American and one White, from a weighted average of other states similar to North Carolina in terms of pre-STOP Act race-stratified opioid overdose rates and population characteristics. Change was assessed as the difference in the race-stratified opioid overdose death rate for North Carolina the corresponding synthetic control. RESULTS: The opioid overdose death rate among the White population decreased by 7.17 and 8.96 deaths/100 k in 2018 and 2019 following the STOP Act (overall decrease p = .0217); however, the study found no significant change in the opioid overdose death rate among the Black/African American population (overall decrease p = .1053), with decreases 1.68 and 3.2 deaths/100 k in 2018 and 2019, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the STOP Act reduced the opioid overdose death rate in North Carolina among the White, but not Black/African American, population. This heterogeneous effect has implications for health equity and can inform the development of future substance use policies.

Addressing Healthcare Utilization and Costs for Older Adults with Limited Mobility Through a Multidisciplinary Home-Based Primary Care Program.

INTRODUCTION: Home-based primary care (HBPC) has shown promise in the management of multiple chronic conditions for patients who are homebound or who have limited mobility. The objective of this study was to implement and evaluate an HBPC program that integrates the services of clinical pharmacists and community aging services providers in a community-based setting. METHODS: Mountain Area Health Education Center's (MAHEC) HBPC program brought together an interdisciplinary team including medical providers, pharmacists, and community aging services providers to conduct home visits with older adults (age 50+). A single-arm, prepost analysis was conducted to determine differences from the year before program enrollment to the year postenrollment. We examined the frequency of health care visits, high-cost health care utilization (emergency department [ED] utilization and hospitalizations), and health care costs. Descriptive statistics characterized the study population and outcomes. Fisher's Exact Tests were used to determine if there was a significant difference between years. RESULTS: There were 130 home visits with 62 patients enrolled in the program. The Medicare Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) was completed for 32 (51.6%) patients. There were 13 (21.0%) and 12 (19.4%) individuals who had at least 1 ED visit and hospitalization, respectively, pre-enrollment as compared with 8 (12.9%) and 9 (14.5%) individuals postenrollment (p-value = 0.05, p-value = 0.06). During the postenrollment year, patient enrollees had an average per-member-per-month (PMPM) cost of $1567.96 as compared with $3053.21 in the year prior. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacist and community agency services-integrated HBPC was implemented in the community setting. There was a decrease in high-cost health care utilization and total health care expenditures for patients as compared with the previous year.

Clinical and economic implications of increasing access to herpes zoster vaccination rate in community pharmacies.

BACKGROUND: A community pharmacist plays an important role in providing vaccination to the general public in the United States. No economic models have been used to assess the impact of these services on public health and economic benefits. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to estimate the clinical and economic implications of community pharmacy-based herpes zoster (HZ) vaccination services with a hypothetical scenario of nonpharmacy-based vaccination in the State of Utah. METHODS: A hybrid model of decision tree and Markov models was used to estimate lifetime cost and health outcomes. This open-cohort model was populated based on Utah population statistics and included a population of 50 years and older who were eligible for HZ vaccination between the years 2010 and 2020. Data were derived from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Utah Immunization Coverage Report, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the CDC National Health Interview Survey, and existing literature. The analysis was performed from a societal perspective. A lifetime time horizon was used. The primary outcomes were the number of vaccination cases increased and the number of shingles and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) cases averted. Total costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were also estimated. RESULTS: Based on a cohort of 853,550 people eligible for HZ vaccination in Utah, an additional 11,576 individuals were vaccinated in the community pharmacy-based scenario compared with the nonpharmacy-based vaccination, resulting in 706 averted cases of shingles and 143 averted cases of PHN. Community pharmacy-based HZ vaccination was less costly (-$131,894) and gained more QALYs (52.2) compared with the nonpharmacy-based vaccination. A series of sensitivity analyses showed that the findings were robust. CONCLUSIONS: Community pharmacy-based HZ vaccination was less costly and gained more QALYs and was associated with improved other clinical outcomes in the State of Utah. This study might be used as a model for future evaluations of other community pharmacy-based vaccination programs in the United States.

Heritable Risk and Protective Genetic Components of Glaucoma Medication Non-Adherence.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness, affecting 76 million globally. It is characterized by irreversible damage to the optic nerve. Pharmacotherapy manages intraocular pressure (IOP) and slows disease progression. However, non-adherence to glaucoma medications remains problematic, with 41-71% of patients being non-adherent to their prescribed medication. Despite substantial investment in research, clinical effort, and patient education protocols, non-adherence remains high. Therefore, we aimed to determine if there is a substantive genetic component behind patients' glaucoma medication non-adherence. We assessed glaucoma medication non-adherence with prescription refill data from the Marshfield Clinic Healthcare System's pharmacy dispensing database. Two standard measures were calculated: the medication possession ratio (MPR) and the proportion of days covered (PDC). Non-adherence on each metric was defined as less than 80% medication coverage over 12 months. Genotyping was done using the Illumina HumanCoreExome BeadChip in addition to exome sequencing on the 230 patients (1) to calculate the heritability of glaucoma medication non-adherence and (2) to identify SNPs and/or coding variants in genes associated with medication non-adherence. Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) was utilized to derive biological meaning from any significant genes in aggregate. Over 12 months, 59% of patients were found to be non-adherent as measured by the MPR80, and 67% were non-adherent as measured by the PDC80. Genome-wide complex trait analysis (GCTA) suggested that 57% (MPR80) and 48% (PDC80) of glaucoma medication non-adherence could be attributed to a genetic component. Missense mutations in TTC28, KIAA1731, ADAMTS5, OR2W3, OR10A6, SAXO2, KCTD18, CHCHD6, and UPK1A were all found to be significantly associated with glaucoma medication non-adherence by whole exome sequencing after Bonferroni correction (p < 10-3) (PDC80). While missense mutations in TINAG, CHCHD6, GSTZ1, and SEMA4G were found to be significantly associated with medication non-adherence by whole exome sequencing after Bonferroni correction (p < 10-3) (MPR80). The same coding SNP in CHCHD6 which functions in Alzheimer's disease pathophysiology was significant by both measures and increased risk for glaucoma medication non-adherence by three-fold (95% CI, 1.62-5.8). Although our study was underpowered for genome-wide significance, SNP rs6474264 within ZMAT4 (p = 5.54 × 10-6) was found to be nominally significant, with a decreased risk for glaucoma medication non-adherence (OR, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.11-0.42)). IPA demonstrated significant overlap, utilizing, both standard measures including opioid signaling, drug metabolism, and synaptogenesis signaling. CREB signaling in neurons (which is associated with enhancing the baseline firing rate for the formation of long-term potentiation in nerve fibers) was shown to have protective associations. Our results suggest a substantial heritable genetic component to glaucoma medication non-adherence (47-58%). This finding is in line with genetic studies of other conditions with a psychiatric component (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or alcohol dependence). Our findings suggest both risk and protective statistically significant genes/pathways underlying glaucoma medication non-adherence for the first time. Further studies investigating more diverse populations with larger sample sizes are needed to validate these findings.

The health impact of long COVID: a cross-sectional examination of health-related quality of life, disability, and health status among individuals with self-reported post-acute sequelae of SARS CoV-2 infection at various points of recovery.

OBJECTIVE: The novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has continued to present a significant burden to global public health efforts. The purpose of this study was to estimate the health-related quality of life, disability, and health status of individuals with self-reported long COVID at various lengths of recovery. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey of individuals with self-reported long COVID. Participants were asked to complete the five-item EuroQOL EQ-5D-5L and EQ visual analog scale, the 12-item World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) 2.0 and the 10-item Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Global Health v1.2 short form. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to characterize the responses and differences across groups. RESULTS: Eighty-two participants from 13 countries completed the EQ-5D-5L, 73 completed the WHODAS 2.0 and 80 participants completed the PROMIS. The mean EQ-5D-5L utility score was 0.51. The mean WHODAS score was 49.0. In the previous 30 days, participants reported their symptoms affected them for a mean of 24 days, they were totally unable to carry out usual activities for 15 days, and they cut back or reduced activities for 26 days. The mean PROMIS physical health and mental health scores were 10.7 and 8.6, respectively, corresponding to below-average health. No significant differences were detected across time or according to severity of acute infection. CONCLUSIONS: Long COVID presents a significant chronic health burden to adults in the US and abroad. This health burden may persist for many months post-acute infection.

The Impact of Discharge Against Medical Advice on Readmission After Opioid Use Disorder-Associated Infective Endocarditis: a National Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Hospitalizations for infective endocarditis (IE) associated with opioid use disorder (O-IE) have increased in the USA and have been linked to high rates of discharge against medical advice (DAMA). DAMA represents a truncation of care for a severe infection, yet patient outcomes after DAMA are unknown. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess readmissions following O-IE and quantify the impact of DAMA on outcomes. DESIGN: A retrospective study of a nationally representative dataset of persons' inpatient discharges in the USA in 2016 PARTICIPANTS: A total of 6018 weighted persons were discharged for O-IE, stratified by DAMA vs. other discharge statuses. Of these, 1331 (22%) were DAMA. MAIN MEASURES: The primary outcome of interest was 30-day readmission rates, stratified by discharge type. We also examined the total number of hospitalizations during the year and estimated the effect of DAMA on readmission. KEY RESULTS: Compared with non-DAMA, those experiencing DAMA were more commonly female, resided in metropolitan areas, lower income, and uninsured. Crude 30-day readmission following DAMA was 50%, compared with 21% for other discharge types. DAMA was strongly associated with readmission in an adjusted logistic regression model (OR 3.72, CI 3.02-4.60). Persons experiencing DAMA more commonly had ≥2 more hospitalizations during the period (31% vs. 18%, p<0.01), and were less frequently readmitted at the same hospital (49% vs 64%, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: DAMA occurs in nearly a quarter of patients hospitalized for O-IE and is strongly associated with short-term readmission. Interventions to address the root causes of premature discharges will enhance O-IE care, reduce hospitalizations and improve outcomes.

Scholarly Activity of Tenure-Track Faculty in US Departments of Pharmacy Practice.

Objective. To quantitatively determine scholarly activity among tenure-track faculty at US departments of pharmacy practice over a 10-year period.Methods. A search of PubMed was performed for articles by department of pharmacy practice tenure track (DPP-TT) faculty from January 1, 2010, through December 31, 2019. DPP-TT faculty working in departments of pharmacy practice were identified through faculty rosters published on the American Association Colleges of Pharmacy website or college or school internet sites. Tenure-track faculty listed as working in a department of pharmacy practice, clinical pharmacy, or pharmacotherapy were included. An objective third party confirmed the data obtained. Each publication was classified by scope (eg, clinical pharmacology, health economics/outcome research, biomedical informatics, basic science, review, editorial/letter, or case report). DPP-TT faculty productivity was calculated by dataset frequency distribution. Descriptive statistics and analysis of variance were used to compare data across demographic strata.Results. One hundred thirty-seven institutions employed 2147 pharmacy practice faculty. These faculty published 20,059 (9.3±16.3/10 years/faculty member) papers. Six institutions had no tenure-track designation. There was a 2.5-fold increase in publication rates from 2010-2019 (P < 0001). Public vs private schools' productivity was 207.8 vs 69.0 publications per institution, respectively (P < 001). The ratio of male to female DPP-TT faculty per institution was 62% to 38%, with male faculty publishing an average of 12.1±19.1 each, and female faculty publishing an average of 7.4±13.8 each (P < 0001). Faculty ranks were 37% assistant professor; 36% associate professor; and 26% professor, with an average of 4.0±7.3, 8.6±12.4, and 17.4±24.6 publications per faculty, respectively. Regionally, US pharmacy practice faculty located in the West produced the most publications, followed by those in the Northeast, South, and Midwest (P < 0001).Conclusions. These national DPP-TT publication data demonstrate that scholarly productivity increased from 2010 through 2019, across a wide variety of publication scopes.

North Carolina Pharmacists' Support for Hormonal Contraception Prescription Status Change.

BackgroundPharmacist-prescribed hormonal contraception (HC) may offer additional avenues of access for patients; however, it is unknown whether pharmacists would support over-the-counter access to contraception over pharmacist-prescribed models. Objective: The objective of this study was to understand how North Carolina (NC) pharmacists believed HC should be classified and how pharmacist and pharmacy characteristics were associated with those beliefs. Methods: This study was a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional, anonymous, online survey completed by 587 licensed NC pharmacists. The primary outcome of interest was how pharmacists believed HC should be classified: prescription-only, pharmacist-prescribed, behind-the-counter, or over-the-counter. Multinomial bivariate and multivariable regression analyses were conducted to describe the association between pharmacist and pharmacy characteristics with the outcomes of interest through odds ratios and adjusted odds ratios, respectively. Chi-square tests were used to examine the association of geographic location with distribution of attitudes toward HC classification. Results: Fifty-one percent of NC pharmacists supported classification of HC as pharmacist-prescribed, while 23% supported non-prescription (behind- or over-the-counter) classification. Controlling for pharmacist demographics and pharmacy characteristics, completing residency training was significantly associated with supporting pharmacist-prescribed vs prescription-only classification (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.55, P = .02). Pharmacists had higher odds of supporting pharmacist-prescribed vs prescription-only HC if they agreed that they were well trained to do so (aOR = 3.14, P < .01). Distribution of attitudes about classification of HC did not significantly differ by geographic location (P = .14). Conclusions: Most NC pharmacists support deviating from the current prescription-only classification of HC, with more support for pharmacist-prescribed classification. Continuing education programs should focus on training pharmacists to feel more confident prescribing HC.

Pharmacist Identification of Older Patients' Priorities in a Home-Based Primary Care Program.

Background Patient Priorities Care (PPC) aims to identify and integrate patient goals and preferences into health care decision-making to provide more personalized care for multimorbid older individuals. Home-based primary care (HBPC) is a model of care delivery that supports aging in place. HBPC-integrated pharmacists can identify patient priorities and communicate with the team to ensure care is aligned with what matters most. Objectives Evaluate patients' perceptions of having priorities identification conversations with the pharmacist; identify the value domains represented by patients' health outcome goals. Setting HBPC program at a large family medicine practice where pharmacists are core members of the interdisciplinary team. Intervention Pharmacists led priorities identification conversations for patients newly enrolled in HBPC. Care preferences and health outcome goals were documented in the medical record and communicated during HBPC team meetings. Design This was a prospective, observational study of HBPC enrollees. After the priorities identification conversation, a three-question survey was administered to identify patients' perceptions of the conversation and interaction with the pharmacist. Health outcome goals and care preference statements were reviewed to determine with which value domain(s) they most aligned. Descriptive statistics were used for results analysis. Results Pharmacists led conversations with 30 participants. Average overall satisfaction with the conversation was 4.6 on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = least, 5 = most satisfied). Ninety-three percent of patients felt it was appropriate to have a pharmacist lead these conversations. Ninety-seven percent believed it was important/very important to discuss their values and goals with their health care team. The predominant value domains represented were Managing Health (43%) and Functioning (40%). Conclusion Patients were mostly satisfied with having PPC conversations and felt it was appropriate for a pharmacist to lead these conversations. Managing health conditions and preserving function were the most frequent value domains associated with patients' goals and care preferences.

Postoperative Use of Biologics was Less Common among Patients with Crohn's Disease With Emergent/Urgent Versus Elective Intestinal Resection.

Background & Aims: Given the risk of intestinal resection for Crohn's disease, postoperative treatment may be informed by several risk factors, including resection type. We compared postoperative treatment strategies for Crohn's disease between emergent/urgent versus elective resection. Methods: We identified patients with intestinal resection for Crohn's disease between 2002-2018 using the MarketScan databases. We classified emergent/urgent resections as those occurring after emergency department admission or after the second day of admission. We estimated adjusted risk differences for the association between resection type (emergent/urgent versus elective) and 6-month postoperative medication strategy (biologic monotherapy, biologic combination therapy with an immunomodulator, immunomodulator monotherapy, other non-biologic medication for Crohn's [5-aminosalicylates, antibiotics, corticosteroids], or no medications for Crohn's). Results: During 6 months after resection among 4,187 patients, 23% received biologic monotherapy, 6% received combination therapy, 16% received immunomodulator monotherapy, and 36% received other non-biologics. Compared to elective resection, emergent/urgent resection was associated with more common use of "other non-biologic" medications (risk difference 6.4%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.8%, 10.0%), but less common use of biologic monotherapy (risk difference -3.2%; 95% CI -6.2%, -0.1%) and no medications (risk difference -3.6%; 95% CI -6.6%, -0.6%). Conclusions: Although patients with emergent/urgent resection may benefit from more aggressive postoperative therapy, there was evidence that emergent/urgent resection was more associated than elective resection with postoperative use of non-biologics for Crohn's disease. Future studies of treatment patterns and comparative effectiveness of postoperative treatment strategies for Crohn's patients should consider these differences between resection types, which may be important drivers of longer-term outcomes.

Longitudinal analysis of PharmD program students' satisfaction and stress.

INTRODUCTION: The University of Utah College of Pharmacy conducted an annual survey to gauge the relationship between multiple dimensions of students' satisfaction, and stress, with the doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) program and perceptions of future career plans. METHODS: An online survey of professional year one (P1) through professional year four (P4) students was conducted from 2015 to 2019. RESULTS: There were a total of 953 non-unique survey respondents. The overall response rate was 86.8%. The study population was 51% female and 49% male with a mean age of 26.7 ± 3.3 years. Students were moderately to very satisfied with the curriculum across the four years of the program. Students were highly to moderately likely to recommend the program. Likelihood to recommend the pharmacy career was similar for the P1 and second professional year 2 (P2) but declined over the four years. Students were moderately to neutrally affected by stress, highest in the P2 and third professional year. Financial issues were rated as the highest stress across the four years. Gender was not statistically associated with satisfaction, although women had higher stress impacting their health than men. Likelihood to recommend the PharmD program and pharmacy career was rated higher by younger students. CONCLUSIONS: Student satisfaction with the PharmD program should be a priority since higher education is a service industry. Academic pharmacy should consider whether pedagogical and social mechanisms are in place to ensure that their programs are helping students manage stress and promote satisfaction.