Interprofessional Education on Medication Adherence: Peer-to-Peer Teaching of Osteopathic Medical Students.

CONTEXT: Medication nonadherence is an important barrier to achieving optimal clinical outcomes. Currently, there are limited data on methods used to train medical students about medication adherence. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the knowledge, confidence, and attitudes of first-year osteopathic medical students before and after a 30-minute peer-to-peer medication adherence education program led by a third-year pharmacy student. METHODS: All first-year medical students from Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine were invited to participate in 1 of 3 medication adherence educational sessions held in May 2019. A third-year pharmacy student who received training from Touro University California College of Pharmacy faculty served as the peer educator. Each session took approximately 1 hour to complete. The session included a preprogram survey, a 30-minute program, and a postprogram survey. Survey items included demographics; medication adherence knowledge, confidence, and attitudes; and attitudes toward the peer-to-peer educational format. Statistical comparisons of preprogram and postprogram knowledge, confidence, and attitudes were made using a paired t test, the McNemar test, and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. P<.05 was considered statistically significant. A sample size calculation was performed using mean knowledge scores to determine whether the study achieved 80% power. RESULTS: Twenty-three students participated in the study. Medication adherence knowledge scores improved after the program (17.4 [77.4%] vs 9.98 [92.2%]; P<.001). Confidence scores also improved for all 7 survey items (P<.001). Medical students had more positive attitudes toward medication adherence after the program, with 8 of 10 survey items in this domain showing improvement. Most students had a positive attitude toward the peer-to-peer educational format. All participants reported that they would implement the medication adherence skills learned at the program with future patients. CONCLUSION: A 30-minute peer-to-peer program led by a pharmacy student improved first-year medical students' knowledge, confidence, and attitudes with regard to medication adherence and provided an effective format to enhance interprofessional learning and collaboration.

What are pharmacists recommending for infant teething treatment?

OBJECTIVES: In 2011, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning to avoid the use of any benzocaine-containing products for infant teething treatment owing to a risk of methemoglobinemia. Several benzocaine-containing products targeted for infant teething are currently available over the counter. Pharmacists are commonly asked for medical advice in the community, and there is no current literature evaluating what pharmacists are recommending for infant teething. The objectives of this study were to evaluate what pharmacists are currently recommending for infant teething treatment and assess what percentage would inappropriately recommend a benzocaine-containing product. METHODS: From March to June 2016, a 16-item in-person paper-and-pen questionnaire was administered to 200 pharmacists in the San Francisco Bay area at 115 outpatient over-the-counter pharmacies. Questions included demographic information, work and educational background, infant teething recommendations, and preferred educational resources. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 94.3%. One-half (50.5%) of the pharmacists' approaches to infant teething treatment was to recommend a nondrug option first and then, if needed, an over-the-counter medication. A majority (63.0%) of the pharmacists surveyed would inappropriately select a benzocaine-containing product. CONCLUSION: Despite warnings, the majority of pharmacists would still inappropriately recommend a benzocaine-containing product for treatment of infant teething. Further education is warranted to ensure that all pharmacists, health care providers, and consumers are aware of the potential harm of benzocaine use in infants.

Frequency and Perceptions of Herbal Medicine use Among Hmong Americans: a Cross Sectional Survey.

To determine the frequency and perceptions of herbal medicine use among Hmong Americans. Cross-sectional telephone survey. Sacramento, California Hmong community. Out of 118 subjects reached, 77 (65.3 %) reported lifetime use of herbal medicines. A majority of respondents agreed that herbal medicines were able to treat the body as a whole. Respondents felt that a leaflet of information indicating uses/side effects would be important to include for herbal medicines. Herbal medicine use was commonly reported among Hmong Americans. Thus, health care providers should be encouraged to discuss these alternative medicines with their Hmong American patients.