Development of an integrated rheumatoid arthritis simulation that reinforces specialty pharmacy and managed care concepts.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: As pharmacy services expand, it is critical for schools/colleges of pharmacy to prepare learners to provide patient care in a variety of settings and to subsequently assess skills that are necessary for clinical practice. The objectives of this study were to (1) develop and implement a simulation that required students to integrate knowledge from multiple courses and disciplines, (2) assess students' performance and perceptions of the activity, and (3) measure student confidence related to managed care, specialty pharmacy, and clinical and foundational concepts prior to and after the simulation. EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY AND SETTING: Faculty developed an integrated simulation that required students to provide information for prior authorization of a new medication, counsel a patient on rheumatoid arthritis and the medication, and address patient questions about insurance formularies, cost, and prior authorization processes. Students completed pre- and post-surveys to determine changes in knowledge and perceptions of the simulation. Exam questions that corresponded to simulation concepts were also analyzed. FINDINGS: Analysis of pre-post surveys indicated that students' self-perceived knowledge and confidence significantly improved in all areas (P < .001 and P < .05, respectively). Student perceptions of the simulation were positive, with comments referencing the activity's realism. Correct answers on knowledge-based questions related to simulation concepts were selected by at least 90% of students on course examinations. SUMMARY: This integrated simulation was effective at increasing self-perceived student knowledge and confidence on concepts from all disciplines, and it can easily be replicated and adapted at other pharmacy institutions.

Establishment and evaluation of scalable COVID-19 vaccine clinics at a large university.

BACKGROUND: Previous large-scale vaccination clinics have been successful before the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic; however, owing to the strict storage requirements and pharmaceutical preparation needed for the COVID-19 vaccines, careful thought and planning were necessary to successfully deploy these clinics immediately after vaccine availability. The focus of this manuscript is to describe the development and implementation of COVID-19 vaccination clinics in a large public university, using professionals from within and outside of its health sciences schools. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this project was to (1) implement COVID-19 vaccination clinics for university faculty, staff, students, and community members. Additional objectives of the clinics were to (2) actively incorporate pharmacy, nursing, and medical students into the clinic workflow; (3) promote interprofessional collaboration among faculty and students; and (4) assess patient satisfaction. PRACTICE DESCRIPTION: The School of Pharmacy faculty, in conjunction with the Office of Strategic Initiatives, planned and coordinated COVID-19 vaccination clinics from December 2020 to July 2021. Students and faculty from schools of pharmacy, nursing, and medicine were used. COVID-19 vaccinations were offered to university faculty, staff, and students and community members based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention priority groups. The clinic processes were designed such that they could be scaled from 100 to 2,000 participants per day. PRACTICE INNOVATION: The School of Pharmacy led approach was adjustable depending on the number of patients, continuously monitored and adaptable. The importance of pharmacists as part of the interprofessional health care team was exemplified by faculty and students involved. EVALUATION METHODS: All patients receiving COVID-19 vaccinations at the clinics were e-mailed anonymous surveys for assessment of the quality of the vaccination encounter after completion of their primary vaccine series. RESULTS: More than 15,000 COVID-19 vaccinations were provided through the clinics from December 2020 to July 2021. Professional staffing totaled 3352 hours for the 48 clinics. Thirty-eight percent of the vaccinated patients responded to the clinic satisfaction survey with predominately excellent ratings. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 vaccination clinics can be successfully planned and implemented in a scalable fashion in a large university setting using an interprofessional team approach.

Development of coupled patient care experience courses to enhance patient care skills in the ambulatory and acute care settings.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Providing opportunities to allow pharmacy students to apply clinical skills is essential to ensure that they are comfortable and competent to perform these skills during advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs) and in practice. We describe unique coupled courses that require students to apply clinical skills during real patient encounters and simulation activities in the ambulatory and acute care setting to ensure that they are ready for APPEs. EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY AND SETTING: New required courses were developed at West Virginia University School of Pharmacy that focused on teaching and reinforcing patient care skills in the ambulatory and acute care settings. Both courses were designed to provide students with multiple opportunities to offer supervised patient care and to become more comfortable and confident in their patient care skills. FINDINGS: The coupled courses were well-received by students. Feedback indicated that students felt more comfortable in these patient care settings and in performing patient care activities as a result of these courses. SUMMARY: These coupled courses offered multiple opportunities for students to practice patient care skills and gain valuable experience participating in activities that increased their confidence and competence at being integral members of the healthcare team. The interactions with real patients, simulated patient scenarios, standardized patients, and other members of the healthcare team helped students advance communication skills, clinical skills, and ability to identify and resolve medication-related problems in preparation for APPEs.

Adolescent Vaccines: Current Recommendations and Techniques to Improve Vaccination Rates.

With multiple vaccines for adolescents recommended, it is imperative providers remain up to date with the current recommendations. With misinformation of vaccine safety and effectiveness in the mainstream media and social media, adolescents are a vulnerable population that needs to be reviewed and educated. Adolescents are typically only just starting to take ownership of their health care. Consequently, they may represent a more vulnerable population in need of education. This article reviews the current guidelines, recommended vaccinations and schedules, and methods to improve compliance rates.