Preparing lifelong learners for delivering pharmaceutical care in an ever-changing world: a study of pharmacy students.

BACKGROUND: Continuing professional development (CPD) continues to gain acceptance as a model for health care professionals to engage in lifelong learning (LLL). Many pharmacy schools have not adopted yet specific programs targeting the development of LLL skills, though LLL is widely accepted as an essential competence. This paper examines the effectiveness and utility of a longitudinal CPD training program. METHODS: A CPD simulation course was introduced to a cohort of fifth year students in Northern Cyprus in the 2018-2019 academic year. The program was delivered as an interactive orientation course in one semester; meanwhile, in the second semester, the students applied the CPD cycle and completed their portfolios during their final experiential practice. A mixed-methods approach was used to evaluate the outcomes of the intervention using students' preparedness for lifelong learning (SPLLL) self-administered questionnaire delivered pre-post program, focus group sessions for students to reflect on the course experience, and instructors' evaluations of portfolios. RESULTS: Following the implementation of the course, students' assessment scores were significantly higher overall and for all scale domains, including "knowledge, skills, attitude and practice", compared to the baseline assessment. Additionally, compared to fifth year students who responded to the second SPLLL questionnaire, the intervention group students' assessment was significantly higher in knowledge, skills, and practice. The qualitative analysis reported high student satisfaction and achievement of the course objectives. Nineteen of the students scored high on their portfolios. CONCLUSION: The CPD simulation course provided students with opportunities to practice and develop self-assessment and self-management skills that are all desirable for lifelong learning and prepared them for CPD.

The genetic landscape of polycystic kidney disease in Ireland.

Polycystic kidney diseases (PKDs) comprise the most common Mendelian forms of renal disease. It is characterised by the development of fluid-filled renal cysts, causing progressive loss of kidney function, culminating in the need for renal replacement therapy or kidney transplant. Ireland represents a valuable region for the genetic study of PKD, as family sizes are traditionally large and the population relatively homogenous. Studying a cohort of 169 patients, we describe the genetic landscape of PKD in Ireland for the first time, compare the clinical features of patients with and without a molecular diagnosis and correlate disease severity with autosomal dominant pathogenic variant type. Using a combination of molecular genetic tools, including targeted next-generation sequencing, we report diagnostic rates of 71-83% in Irish PKD patients, depending on which variant classification guidelines are used (ACMG or Mayo clinic respectively). We have catalogued a spectrum of Irish autosomal dominant PKD pathogenic variants including 36 novel variants. We illustrate how apparently unrelated individuals carrying the same autosomal dominant pathogenic variant are highly likely to have inherited that variant from a common ancestor. We highlight issues surrounding the implementation of the ACMG guidelines for variant pathogenicity interpretation in PKD, which have important implications for clinical genetics.

Applying Beers Criteria for Elderly Patients to Assess Rational Drug Use at a University Hospital in Northern Cyprus.

BACKGROUND: Several regulations for potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) have been published specifically for elderly patients to rationalize drug use in such vulnerable communities. OBJECTIVES: To determine the proportion and characteristics of PIMs in patients receiving one or more drugs according to Beers Criteria 2015. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional prospective analysis of 451 inpatients admitted between September 25 and October 25, 2016, was conducted in Near East University Hospital, Northern Cyprus. Data were extracted from the patient medical records using special forms. RESULTS: A total of 119 elderly patients were identified (26.4%) and evaluated, of which 107 were eligible and 12 were excluded. Of the 1039 prescribed medicines, 16.9% were PIMs during hospitalization, whereas 12% were at discharge. The most prevalent PIM group during hospitalization was identified as the "medications to be avoided in older adults" (48.8%), whereas it also formed 52% of medications prescribed at discharge. PIMs of the class "drugs used with caution" formed 19.4% of prescribed medicine during hospitalization and 18.4% on discharge. The prevalence of polypharmacy was 79.4%, mainly identified as unpreventable polypharmacy of elders. CONCLUSION: A significantly higher prevalence of PIMs was observed in hospitalized patients than those discharged, with high prevalence of polypharmacy. These results necessitate a nationwide assessment, and responsible bodies who adopt strategies should act to reduce or overcome the aforementioned high prevalence in Northern Cyprus.