A National Survey of Perceptions Around Conditions Associated With Pharmacy Faculty Workload Equity.

OBJECTIVE: To assess pharmacy faculty members' perceptions of conditions associated with workload equity and factors that can improve workload equity. METHODS: A 26-item survey instrument was developed and distributed via email to members of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Council of Faculties. Questions pertained to the workload distribution, fairness in assignment, and perception of the conditions associated with workload equity (transparency, context, credit, clarity, norms, and accountability) as well as institutional and individual demographics. RESULTS: A total of 662 responses were obtained (response rate 15.9%). Respondents' demographics were comparable to available national data. Approximately 41% of respondents reported their institutions did not have a written faculty workload policy. Most respondents reported their workload assignment was fair (highest with research/scholarship) but reported only moderate alignment between assigned and actual workloads. The rating level for what domains the primary decision maker uses to assign workload was highest for context, followed by credit, clarity, and transparency. Transparency was reported as the most needed condition to improve faculty perception of workload equity. Respondents also rated increasing trust between leadership and faculty and increasing productivity and accountability as the most important reasons to minimize workload inequities. CONCLUSION: This was the first national survey of pharmacy faculty perceptions around the conditions associated with workload equity. Though additional research is needed in this area, programs can work to implement strategies associated with all of the conditions, particularly transparency, to improve faculty perceptions of equity.

Perceptions and Practices for Evaluating Faculty Workload by Pharmacy Education Administration/Leadership.

OBJECTIVE: To assess how department chairs/administrators define, measure, and evaluate faculty workload to better understand practices within the Academy. METHODS: An 18-item survey was distributed to department chairs/administrators via American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Connect. Participants identified if they are a primary decision maker for faculty workload, whether their program has a workload policy, how workload is calculated, and how faculty satisfaction with workload equity is measured. RESULTS: Of 71 participants initiating the survey, data from 64 participants from 52 colleges/schools were eligible for analysis. Leaders of practice departments reported that their faculty spend an average of 38% of their time on teaching (compared to 46% for non-practice departments), 13% on research (vs 37%), 12% on service (vs 16%), and 36% on clinical practice (vs 0%). Most survey participants (n = 57, 89%) are at schools/colleges with a tenure system, and about 24 participants reported that faculty workload metrics differ across departments/divisions. Teaching assignments and service are reportedly negotiable between faculty and supervisors, and workload expectations are widely variable. The majority indicated they do not analyze faculty satisfaction with workload fairness (n = 35) and faculty do not provide evaluative feedback on how supervisors assign faculty workload (n = 34). Of 6 priorities considered when determining workload, 'support college/school strategies and priorities' ranked highest (1.92) and 'trust between the chair and faculty' ranked lowest (4.87). CONCLUSION: Overall, only half of the participants reported having a clear, written process of quantifying faculty workload. The use of workload metrics may be needed for evidence-based decision-making for personnel management and resource allocation.

Gaps and Opportunities for Faculty Workload Policies in Pharmacy and Health Professions Education.

Faculty workload is difficult to delineate and quantify equitably because of the various factors and diverse roles that define faculty positions. This is especially true in health professions education, including pharmacy. Nonetheless, ensuring fair and transparent distribution of faculty workload is necessary for equity and engagement of the faculty workforce. While it is impossible to develop a uniform policy for all faculty, there can be a guide for how workload is developed and measured, especially for promotion or awarding of tenure, focusing on equity and transparency. Developing clear definitions of workload, setting mutually agreed expectations, and sharing transparent workload assignments and distribution within the institution may be needed. It is imperative to discuss an optimal policy for equitable and transparent workload in each institution and in academic pharmacy as a whole; a lack of this effort can create undue hardship for faculty, decrease productivity, potentially worsen faculty morale, and ultimately impair faculty retention.

An Exploratory Study of Arab American Pharmacy Educators' Work Experience with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Objective. To explore the experience of members of Arab American Pharmacy Educators (AAPE) regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion in their workplace.Methods. A cross-sectional questionnaire was distributed electronically to 51 AAPE members. Eligible participants were those who identify with Arab heritage and have worked at US schools or colleges of pharmacy. Following the initial invitation, three reminders were sent to complete the questionnaire.Results. A total of 31 (61% response rate) AAPE members completed the questionnaire. The majority of participants reported an overall positive academic experience. However, some participants reported being subject to negative stereotypes and discrimination, which may have hindered their ability to teach, practice, conduct research, and fully engage in service to their schools or colleges, profession, and community.Conclusion. Some AAPE members reported negative stereotypes and discrimination at US schools or colleges of pharmacy. Findings from this study can have implications for faculty representing different minority groups, especially for those pharmacy educators who are not of Western European descent and anyone who is perceived as the "other."

Exploring the impact of the United States-based accreditation council for pharmacy education certification on pharmacy education outside the United States.

Introduction: The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) offers certification for interested pharmacy programs outside the United States. This study aimed to explore the reported impact of this certification on the quality of pharmacy education among ACPE-certified pharmacy programs outside the US. Methods: This cross-sectional study was based on highly structured, standardized interviews. A predetermined questionnaire was designed to include both quantitative and qualitative items, which assessed participants' thoughts on the impact of ACPE certification on the quality of pharmacy education as well as programmatic and student learning outcomes. A total of 15 pharmacy colleges and schools outside the US have received the ACPE certification as of July 2020. After IRB approval, these programs were invited to participate in online live interviews, which were scheduled from May to July 2020 via Zoom®, and lasted approximately 45 min each. Results: Administrators from 13 programs participated in this study (87% respondent rate). The majority of these international pharmacy programs reported that the ACPE certification had promoted the quality of pharmacy education at their institutions. However, there were different views on how the ACPE certification has affected the operation of these international pharmacy programs. There was little or no impact of the certification on financial resources, such as salaries and development funds. Conclusion: Despite being confined to little or no change in certain areas of their programs, all the interviewees believed the ACPE certification had an overall positive impact on the quality of their programs, particularly in the area of assessment, preceptor quality and development, improving teaching and learning methods in both didactic and experiential curricula, and developing an inclusive feedback system to receive input from various stakeholders.

Association Between NAPLEX Preparation Program Characteristics and First-Time Pass Rates.

Objective. The objectives of this study were to (1) describe characteristics of preparation programs for the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) that are currently used by colleges and schools of pharmacy and (2) evaluate these program characteristics in relation to first-attempt NAPLEX pass rates.Methods. This cross-sectional study was based on an online survey administered between February and March 2020. Assessment leads from 143 PharmD programs were invited to answer questions on their schools' PharmD program characteristics and various aspects of NAPLEX preparation programs. The study included regression analyses to investigate associations between the NAPLEX first-attempt pass rates and PharmD demographic characteristics as well as between first-attempt pass rates and various aspects of the NAPLEX preparation programs. Finally, common themes from open-ended questions were identified.Results. Fifty-eight participants completed the survey out of 132 successfully delivered email invitations (response rate = 44%). Fifty participants (86%) indicated that their PharmD program offers a NAPLEX preparation program. Our data indicate that offering a NAPLEX preparation program was not significantly associated with higher NAPLEX first-attempt pass rates. The analysis identified possible explanations for this lack of association, including student concerns with balancing a preparation program with advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs) and the faculty workload associated with delivering such programs.Conclusion. The current findings show no association between offering a NAPLEX preparation program and NAPLEX first-attempt pass rates. Future research should continue to examine the impact of these programs on individual school pass rates and factors that may enhance student motivation to engage in these programs.

Pharmacy student stress with transition to online education during the COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: Pharmacy student-perceived stress may impact academic experiences. This research aimed to investigate whether there was an increase in student-perceived stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Current pharmacy students were surveyed in May 2020 at a public pharmacy school that utilizes an active learning design and follows a flipped classroom approach. In addition to measuring perceived stress, the survey measured coping behaviors, self-efficacy, and emotional status. The collected data were compared with archived data that were collected for internal use in 2018. Student's t-test analyses were used to compare 2020 with 2018 data. RESULTS: A total of 66 students completed the 2020 survey (response rate 26.2%) and 192 students completed the 2018 survey (response rate 63.2%). On a scale from 0 (never or not applicable) to 5 (multiple times each day), average student-perceived stress was 1.75 (SD = 0.93) in 2020. This value of perceived stress presented a slight, but not statistically significant, reduction from 1.85 (SD = 1.04) in 2018. Comparing 2018 and 2020 datasets showed no significant differences in coping behavior, self-efficacy, or emotional status. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the sample with the lower response rate that completed the survey in 2020, student-perceived stress did not increase during online, remote learning associated with the COVID-19 pandemic as compared to the sample with a higher response rate prior to the pandemic. Perhaps the COVID-19 related changes were seamless to students due to their aptitude for remote, online learning.

Ethical Issues in Consenting Older Adults: Academic Researchers and Community Perspectives.

OBJECTIVES: Obtaining informed consents from older adults is surrounded by many ethical and practical challenges. The objective of this study was to evaluate ethical issues and strategies in consenting older adults in Jordan as perceived by academic researchers and older adults. METHODS: An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to academic researchers in the Jordanian health sciences colleges, and a sample of older adults. The study survey included items eliciting demographics, professional characteristics, and perceptions regarding the consenting process in older adults, consent-related skills in elderly, and strategies to improve the consenting process in older adults. The survey was then modified to assess the consent-related ethical issues and challenges as viewed by a sample of older adults after explaining the concept of the consenting process to them. KEY FINDINGS: A total of 250 academic researchers and 233 older adults participated in the study. Both researchers and older adults reported that having to sign the written forms and the impact of age-related physical impairments were the most challenging obstacles when consenting older adults. Lack of consistency and repeating questions were the most frequently encountered obstacles by researchers in consenting older adults. Ensuring privacy (anonymity/confidentiality), dedicating more time for the consenting process, treating older adults as autonomous individuals and respecting their cultural beliefs were the most helpful strategies recommended by both academic researchers and older adults. CONCLUSIONS: Obtaining informed consents from older adults is a challenging process. Researchers should be aware of the special needs and strategies to achieve realistic and ethical informed consents from older adults.

Impact of Cognitive and Social Factors on Smoking Cessation Attempts among US Adult Muslim Smokers.

BACKGROUND: Muslims in the United States (US) exhibit high rates of cigarette smoking. Guided by the Social Cognitive Theory, the study aimed to investigate the associations between the number of serious cigarette smoking cessation attempts and cognitive as well as environmental factors in adult US Muslim smokers. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was based on a convenience sample of adult (≥ 18 years) US Muslim smokers. After receiving IRB approval, data were collected using an on-line survey. Unadjusted Poisson regression followed by adjusted multivariable Poisson regression analyses were conducted to answer the research question. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-two smokers completed the questionnaire. Smokers reported more serious cigarette smoking cessation attempts if they 1) had more knowledge about the consequences of cigarette smoking cessation, 2) had more positive attitudes regarding quitting, and 3) reported greater religiosity. Additionally, smokers reported fewer serious cigarette smoking cessation attempts if they 1) were employed, 2) affiliated with Sunnah sect, 3) reported better self-assessed health, 4) reported higher perceived value for quitting, and 5) indicated that using tobacco was not allowed inside the home. Only three smokers reported using both prescription medications and counseling to aid with smoking cessation attempts. CONCLUSIONS: Inadequate utilization of pharmaceutical smoking cessation products and provider professional assistance may exacerbate the problems associated with elevated rates of smoking among US Muslim smokers. Knowledge of the consequences, more positive attitudes, and greater religiosity can be influential constructs in future interventions aimed at encouraging smoking cessation attempts in this population.

Tobacco Use among Adult Muslims in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Compared with the general United States (US) population, Muslims in the US exhibit elevated rates of tobacco use. As a result, they might be at a higher risk for preventive disease and premature death as compared with the general US population. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) factors that are associated with tobacco use among a sample of adult Muslims in the US. METHODS: Data were collected (November 2016-March 2017) using a cross-sectional, on-line survey from a convenience sample of adult (≥ 18 years) US Muslims. Participants with a lung cancer history were excluded. Associations between SCT factors and tobacco use were investigated with bivariate analyses and multinomial logistic regression models. RESULTS: Eligible participants (n = 271) from 30 states completed the survey; 52.8% reported current tobacco use. A higher rate of current tobacco use was reported by men (62.8%) as compared to women (41.3%), x2(1, N = 271) = 12.49, p < .001. In terms of cognitive factors, individuals who (1) expected more personal consequences for tobacco use on health, and (2) had more confidence regarding ability to abstain from tobacco use, were less likely to report current tobacco use. In terms of environmental factors, individuals whose family members did not use tobacco were less likely to report current tobacco use. CONCLUSION: The study findings suggest that family-oriented interventions emphasizing self-efficacy and personal consequences to prevent tobacco use can potentially be effective in reducing tobacco use rates in the adult US Muslim population.

Colon Cancer Worry in Appalachia.

Appalachia has a higher incidence of and mortality from colon cancer (CC) than other regions of the United States; thus, it is important to know the potential impact of elevated risk on cancer worry. Guided by the Self-regulation model, we investigated the association of demographic, cultural (e.g., fatalism, religious commitment), and psychological factors (e.g., perceived risk, general mood) with CC worry among a sample of Appalachian women. A mixed method design was utilized. Appalachian women completed surveys in the quantitative section (n = 134) and semi-structured interviews in the qualitative section (n = 24). Logistic regression was employed to calculate odds ratios (OR) for quantitative data, and immersion/crystallization was utilized to analyze qualitative data. In the quantitative section, 45% of the participants expressed some degree of CC worry. CC worry was associated with higher than high school education (OR 3.63), absolute perceived risk for CC (OR 5.82), high anxiety (OR 4.68), and awareness of easy access (OR 3.98) or difficult access (OR 3.18) to health care specialists as compared to not being aware of the access. there was no association between CC worry and adherence to CC screening guidelines. The qualitative section revealed fear, disengagement, depression, shock, and worry. Additionally, embarrassment, discomfort, and worry were reported with regard to CC screening. Fears included having to wear a colostomy bag and being a burden on family. CC worry was common in Appalachians and associated with higher perceptions of risk for CC and general anxiety, but not with adherence to screening guidelines. The mixed method design allowed for enhanced understanding of CC-related feelings, especially CC worry, including social/contextual fears.

Assessment of Texan pharmacists' attitudes, behaviors, and preferences related to continuing pharmacy education.

BACKGROUND: Whether the available Continuing Education (CE) programs meet pharmacists' continuously increasing needs and preferences is open to question. OBJECTIVES: to investigate pharmacists' perceptions and attitudes concerning available CE programs, evaluate the pharmacists' choices with regard to selecting among different CE programs, and investigate the factors that are associated with preference to utilize online CE programs. METHOD: A 17-question survey was developed and mailed to a random sample of 600 Texan pharmacists. In addition to collecting basic demographic information, the survey investigated pharmacists' choices with regard to delivery and content of CE programs, motivations to participation in CE programs, and pharmacists' preferences for future CE programs. RESULTS: A total of 161 pharmacists completed the survey and mailed back their responses. Excluding the 75 undeliverable surveys, the response rate was 31%. Approximately 83% of respondents found that currently available CE programs met their educational needs. The most important factors influencing pharmacists' choices with regard to CE programs were the scope programs, the location where programs are held, and the cost associated with enrolling in such programs. Online CE was the most preferred mode of CE among participants. The factors that were associated with pharmacists' preferences to complete 50% or more of required CE through online programs were previous use of online CE programs, preference to limit the duration of CE programs to 1 or 2 hour-long, and perceived ability to find adequate CE programs among currently available CE programs. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest modalities for CE programs providers on how to improve CE programs in the future in order to meet the preferences of local pharmacists.

Assessment of Texan pharmacists' attitudes, behaviors, and preferences related to continuing pharmacy education

Background: Whether the available Continuing Education (CE) programs meet pharmacists’ continuously increasing needs and preferences is open to question. Objectives: to investigate pharmacists’ perceptions and attitudes concerning available CE programs, evaluate the pharmacists’ choices with regard to selecting among different CE programs, and investigate the factors that are associated with preference to utilize online CE programs. Method: A 17-question survey was developed and mailed to a random sample of 600 Texan pharmacists. In addition to collecting basic demographic information, the survey investigated pharmacists’ choices with regard to delivery and content of CE programs, motivations to participation in CE programs, and pharmacists’ preferences for future CE programs. Results: A total of 161 pharmacists completed the survey and mailed back their responses. Excluding the 75 undeliverable surveys, the response rate was 31%. Approximately 83% of respondents found that currently available CE programs met their educational needs. The most important factors influencing pharmacists’ choices with regard to CE programs were the scope programs, the location where programs are held, and the cost associated with enrolling in such programs. Online CE was the most preferred mode of CE among participants. The factors that were associated with pharmacists’ preferences to complete 50% or more of required CE through online programs were previous use of online CE programs, preference to limit the duration of CE programs to 1 or 2 hour-long, and perceived ability to find adequate CE programs among currently available CE programs. Conclusion: The findings suggest modalities for CE programs providers on how to improve CE programs in the future in order to meet the preferences of local pharmacists (AU)

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Reliability assessment of a peer evaluation instrument in a team-based learning course.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reliability of a peer evaluation instrument in a longitudinal team-based learning setting. METHODS: Student pharmacists were instructed to evaluate the contributions of their peers. Evaluations were analyzed for the variance of the scores by identifying low, medium, and high scores. Agreement between performance ratings within each group of students was assessed via intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: We found little variation in the standard deviation (SD) based on the score means among the high, medium, and low scores within each group. The lack of variation in SD of results between groups suggests that the peer evaluation instrument produces precise results. The ICC showed strong concordance among raters. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that our student peer evaluation instrument provides a reliable method for peer assessment in team-based learning settings.

Reliability assessment of a peer evaluation instrument in a team-based learning course

Objective: To evaluate the reliability of a peer evaluation instrument in a longitudinal team-based learning setting. Methods: Student pharmacists were instructed to evaluate the contributions of their peers. Evaluations were analyzed for the variance of the scores by identifying low, medium, and high scores. Agreement between performance ratings within each group of students was assessed via intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: We found little variation in the standard deviation (SD) based on the score means among the high, medium, and low scores within each group. The lack of variation in SD of results between groups suggests that the peer evaluation instrument produces precise results. The ICC showed strong concordance among raters. Conclusions: Findings suggest that our student peer evaluation instrument provides a reliable method for peer assessment in team-based learning settings (AU)

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Pharmacists' Perceptions of Tobacco Sales in an Elevated-Risk Population.

Background: Policies by the American Medical Association and the American Pharmacists Association advocate for the discontinuation of tobacco sales in pharmacies, yet tobacco sales remain lucrative for pharmacies in the United States. West Virginia has the highest smoking rate (29%) and the second highest lung cancer incidence in the country. Objective: This study examined pharmacists' perceptions of tobacco sales in pharmacies and awareness of relevant policies. Methods: West Virginia pharmacists (n = 195) were surveyed to understand tobacco sales in West Virginia pharmacy, utilizing Diffusion of Innovations as a theoretical framework. Results: Eighty-one percent were community pharmacists, and 39% practiced at independent pharmacies. Sixty-two percent reported that their pharmacies did not sell tobacco. Pharmacists at independent pharmacies were more likely to be in rural areas/small towns, have decision-making control over tobacco sales, and not currently selling tobacco products. Other community pharmacists (ie, at regional and national chains) were more likely to sell tobacco products, not have decision-making control over tobacco sales, and perceive revenue loss from discontinuing tobacco sales. Other types of pharmacists (eg, hospital) estimated a greater number of patients who were smokers/tobacco users. A logistic regression showed that less perceived revenue loss was associated with greater likelihood of not selling tobacco products (all Ps < .05). Conclusions: Findings indicate a strong movement among community pharmacists to curtail the use of tobacco. Generating support for the elimination of tobacco sales and adoption of tobacco cessation initiatives in community pharmacy could help reduce smoking rates in elevated-risk populations.