Correlating Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience Exam Scores and Pharmacist Licensure Status in a Single Program.

OBJECTIVE: Pharmacist licensure exam first-time pass rates have declined for several years. Predictors of licensure exam performance, including the Pharmacy College Admission Test, are no longer required, necessitating alternative strategies. Our aim is to assess the relationship between numerical scores on advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) exams and pharmacist licensure exams first-time pass rates. METHODS: We conducted a single-center, retrospective, observational analysis. APPE examination results between May 2020 and November 2023 were analyzed for association with licensure information from the Texas State Board of Pharmacy. Exam scores were collected for student cohorts graduating from 2021 to 2022 as study cohort data. Correlation between exam scores and probability of successful licensure was assessed using logistic regression. A classification and regression tree analysis identified the most significant threshold. Predictive ability of the best-fit model was prospectively validated using the 2023 graduate cohort. RESULTS: The overall licensure success rate was 80.6% for the study cohort (2021-2022, n = 206). Exam scores were well correlated to the likelihood of licensing success. The most significant threshold was 77.8%. The success rate was 82.5% vs 16.7% for those scoring above and below the threshold, respectively. The observed and predicted licensure success rates were 91.0% and 88.8%, respectively, in the validation cohort (2023, n = 89). The positive and negative prediction values were 94.9% and 40.0%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The performances on APPE exams were reasonable in predicting the first-time licensure success rate for a graduating class. Our assessment appears promising as a risk-stratification tool for students in gaining successful pharmacist licensure.

A Motivational Interviewing Intervention to Improve Adherence to ACEIs/ARBs among Nonadherent Older Adults with Comorbid Hypertension and Diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension and diabetes mellitus are independent risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Due to the cardioprotective nature of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), they are recommended for patients with comorbid hypertension and diabetes. However, poor adherence to ACEIs/ARBs among older adults is a major public health concern. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a telephonic motivational interviewing (MI) intervention conducted by pharmacy students among a nonadherent older population (≥ 65 years old) with diabetes and hypertension. METHODS: Patients continuously enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan who received an ACEI/ARB prescription between July 2017 and December 2017 were identified. Group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM) was used to identify distinct patterns of ACEI/ARB adherence during the 1-year baseline period: adherent, gaps in adherence, gradual decline, and rapid decline in adherence. Patients from the three nonadherent trajectories were randomized into MI intervention or control group. The intervention consisted of an initial call and five follow-up calls administered by MI-trained pharmacy students and tailored to the baseline ACEI/ARB adherence trajectories. The primary outcome was adherence to ACEI/ARB during the 6- and 12-month periods post-MI implementation. The secondary outcome was discontinuation, defined as no refills for ACEI/ARB during the 6- and 12-month periods post-MI implementation. Multivariable regression analyses examined the impact of MI intervention on ACEI/ARB adherence and discontinuation while adjusting for baseline covariates. RESULTS: A total of 240 patients in the intervention group and 480 patients as randomly selected controls were included in this study. At 6 months, patients receiving the MI intervention had significantly better adherence (ß = 0.06; p = 0.03) compared with the controls. Linear and logistic regression models also showed patients in the intervention group were more likely to be adherent than controls within 12 months of intervention implementation (ß = 0.06; p = 0.02 and OR: 1.46; 95% CI 1.05-2.04, respectively). MI intervention did not have any significant impact on the ACEI/ARB discontinuation. CONCLUSION: Patients who received the MI intervention were more likely to be adherent at 6 and 12 months following the intervention initiation, despite gaps in the follow-up calls due to COVID-19. Pharmacist-led MI intervention is an effective behavioral strategy to improve medication adherence among older adults and tailoring the intervention to past adherence patterns may enhance the intervention effectiveness. This study was registered with the United States National Institutes of Health (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03985098).

Patient-Reported Barriers to Adherence Among ACEI/ARB Users from a Motivational Interviewing Telephonic Intervention.

Purpose: Hypertension is a common comorbidity among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, which increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Despite the proven benefit of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) in this population, poor medication adherence is prevalent, resulting in higher complications and mortality rate. Motivational interviewing (MoI) has demonstrated effectiveness in improving medication adherence and identifying barriers. This study aimed to assess and identify patient-reported barriers to adherence to ACEI/ARB from an MoI telephonic intervention conducted by student pharmacist interns. Patients and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted within an MoI intervention customized by past ACEI/ARB adherence trajectories for nonadherent patients with T2DM and hypertension enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan. Adherence barriers were extracted from the interviewers' notes by two independent researchers. Descriptive analysis was performed to summarize the overall frequency of barriers as well as across trajectory groups, identified from the initial and follow-up calls. Results: In total, 247 patients received the initial MoI call from which 41% did not communicate any barrier for ACEI/ARB use despite having low adherence. About 59% of the patients reported at least one barrier during the initial call. The most common barriers included forgetfulness, discontinuation by physicians, side effects, multiple comorbidities, polypharmacy, lack of knowledge about disease/medication, and cost issues. The follow-up calls helped with uncovering at least one new barrier for 28 patients who previously communicated a different issue with their medication during the first call. Additionally, 18 patients with initial denial for having any barrier to adherence reported at least one barrier throughout the follow-up calls. Conclusion: This study summarized patient-reported barriers to ACEI/ARB adherence from an MoI telephonic intervention performed among nonadherent patients. Identifying specific barriers for patients may help to further design tailored interventions that address the barriers and improve adherence.

Postharvest practices, challenges and opportunities for grain producers in Arequipa, Peru.

Little is known about the major issues leading to postharvest losses in Peru, which are estimated to be 15-27%. We surveyed 503 farmers from the lowlands and Andean regions of Arequipa to learn more about the major grains produced and issues encountered during drying and storage. Rice, common bean, and quinoa were the most grown crops in the lowlands while starchy maize was the most cultivated crop in the highlands. Most farmers (90%) dried their crops in-field directly on the ground, which exposes them to rodents, birds, and insect pests. The majority of farmers (92%) used subjective methods to assess grain moisture content. About 77% of farmers identified insects as a major challenge during storage but only 44% said they used preventive measures such as the application of insecticides. Among farmers who stored grain, the main reason was for household consumption (61%); while among those who did not store, the main reason was the need for immediate cash at harvest (75%). Farmers who experienced insect problems, who stored seed or grain for sale, who stored longer, or farmers from the lowlands were more likely to apply insecticides on their stored products. These findings provide an opportunity for researchers, development organizations, and government agencies to improve postharvest handling and storage in Arequipa by disseminating drying technologies, moisture assessment tools and hermetic storage solutions among farmers.

Group-Based Trajectory Modeling to Identify Patterns of Adherence and Its Predictors Among Older Adults on Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACEIs)/Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs).

PURPOSE: Commonly prescribed medications among patients with comorbid diabetes mellitus and hypertension include ARBs and ACEIs. However, these medications are associated with suboptimal adherence leading to inadequately controlled blood pressure. Unlike traditional single estimates of proportion of days covered (PDC), group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM) can graphically display the dynamic nature of adherence. The objective of this study was to evaluate adherence using GBTMs among patients prescribed ACEI/ARBs and identify predictors associated with each adherence trajectory. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with an ACEI/ARBs prescription were identified between July 2017 and December 2017 using a Medicare Advantage dataset. PDC was used to measure monthly patient adherence during the one-year follow-up period. The monthly PDC was added to a logistic group-based trajectory model to provide distinct patterns of adherence. Further, a multinomial logistic regression was conducted to determine predictors of each identified adherence trajectory. Predictors included various socio-demographic and clinical patient characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 22,774 patients were included in the analysis and categorized into 4 distinct adherence trajectories: rapid decline (12.6%); adherent (58.5%); gaps in adherence (12.2%), and gradual decline (16.6%). Significant predictors associated with all lower adherence trajectories included 90 days refill, >2 number of other medications, ≥1 hospitalizations, and prevalent users. Significant predictors associated with the rapid decline trajectory included male sex, comorbidities, and increased CMS risk score. Further, significant predictors associated with the gaps in adherence trajectory included increasing age, and comorbidities. Lastly, significant predictors associated with the gradual decline trajectory included increasing age, no health plan subsidy, comorbidities, and increasing CMS risk score. CONCLUSION: Identifying various patient characteristics associated with non-adherent trajectories can guide the development of tailored interventions to enhance adherence to ACEI/ARBs.

Essential Elements for Core Required Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences.

Since 2004, concerns and calls for greater quality assurance in experiential education have been published. The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) "Standards 2016" provide limited differentiation across the four required practice experiences, and, as such, schools interpret them differently. Both schools and accreditation site visit teams would benefit from a common set of guidance for the required Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs), so that they can ensure consistency and quality in student experiences across practice sites. To address this need for greater standardization, a taskforce of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Experiential Education (EE) Section conducted a peer-reviewed, consensus-building process, including experiential faculty and staff across multiple colleges and schools of pharmacy, to determine a common set of elements that could be used to bring consistency to the experiences and expectations for student learning in practice. Over a two year period, the taskforce reviewed the relevant literature and then drafted and revised the elements through an iterative process which allowed for established EE consortia and members of the EE section to review the draft and provide input for revision. The resulting essential elements presented here can be used to guide faculty and staff within experiential education programs in their quality assurance processes in ensuring students receive consistent experience as part of their education prior to graduation.

An Interprofessional Standardized Patient Case for Improving Collaboration, Shared Accountability, and Respect in Team-Based Family Discussions.

Introduction: The science of patient safety demonstrates that good communication is essential for effective interprofessional collaboration. Methods: We created a low-stakes, formative assessment with which medical students, pharmacy students, and nursing students could practice several of the Interprofessional Education Collaborative competencies. We aimed to enable students to practice collaborative care, respect for other disciplines, and shared accountability. Senior students from medicine, nursing, and pharmacy worked in teams to disclose a medical error to a standardized patient. The activity began with an icebreaker exercise wherein students learned about each other. Next, each team planned a strategy for error disclosure and collaboratively disclosed the error. Standardized patients evaluated the team's performance. Subsequently, students regrouped for a debriefing. The participating institutions administered a survey to their students. Results: In total, 1,151 students participated: 464 fourth-year students from the University of Houston College of Pharmacy, 450 third- and fourth-year students from Baylor College of Medicine, and 237 fourth-year students from Texas Woman's University Nelda C. Stark College of Nursing, all in Houston, Texas. Postsession survey data showed that students thought they achieved the relevant competencies. Students' understanding of the perspectives of the other two disciplines improved. Students found the simulation encounter and debriefing effective in helping them consider the contributions of other disciplines to patient care. Discussion: This interprofessional standardized patient activity enabled collaborative problem solving. The debriefing discussion broadened students' understanding of the expertise of the other disciplines and promoted shared accountability. Students found this activity engaging and effective.

Alteraciones endocrinas asociadas al uso medicamentos en el Programa Distrital de Farmacovigilancia de Bogotá durante el periodo 2012 a 2016 / Medication-use related endocrine disruption reported to the local pharmacovigilance program in Bogota, during 2012- 2016 / Alterações endócrinas associadas ao uso de medicamentos no Programa Distrital de Vigilância farmacológica em Bogotá no período 2012-2016

Objetivos. Conocer las reacciones adversas tipo endocrino asociado al uso de medicamentos y reportado al Programa Distrital de Farmacovigilancia de Bogotá durante el periodo 2012 a 2016. Materiales y métodos. Los reportes analizados corresponden al periodo del 1º de enero de 2012 al 31 de diciembre de 2016 del Programa Distrital de Farmacovigilancia. Su análisis se hizo mediante algoritmos de causalidad y por tipo de evento. Resultados. Se analizaron 85 reportes. Uno de ellos relacionado con una sospecha de problema de calidad del medicamento, los otros 84 relaciona-dos con reacciones adversas sobre los cuales se centró la investigación. De los 84 reportes, 36 (42,9 %) corresponden a reacciones adversas a medicamento tipo A y 26 (31 %) a reportes de reacciones adversas a medicamentos de tipo fallo terapéutico. Los principales efectos secundarios a los medicamentos fueron el aumento de los niveles de hormona paratiroidea por uso de cinacalcet en 27 (34,1 %) reportes, seguidas por el síndrome de Cushing relacionado con la administración de prednisolona en 12 (14,1 %), bocio por uso de adalimumab en 12 (14,1 %), hiperprolactinemia por el uso de risperidona en 10 (11,8 %) e hipotiroidismo inducido por amiodarona en 3 (3,4 %). Conclusiones. El desarrollo de estos estudios permite conocer las principales reacciones adversas que se presentan durante el uso habitual de los medicamentos, así como su perfil de seguridad.

Objective. Becoming familiar with medication-use related endocrine disruption reported to the local pharmacovigilance program in Bogotá during 2012-2016.Tools and methods. Analyzed reports are dated between January 1st, 2012 and December 31st, 2016 and were gathered from the Pharmacovigilance Program in Bogotá. The analysis of the said reports was conducted through causality algorithms and event type.Results. Out of 87 analyzed reports, two were not included in the study due to lack of information for its classification in one case and, medication-related problems in another case. 36 reports (42.9 %) were found to have adverse reaction to type A medications, while 26 reports (34.1%) were found to have medication related problem type therapeutic failure. The main medication related problems were associated to the use of Cinacalcet with increased levels of parathormone in 27 out of 87 analyzed reports in this study. Other medication related problems found were: Cushing Syndrome, associated with the use of prednisolone in 12 reports; Goiter associated to the use of adalimumab in 12 reports; Hyperprolactinemia associated to the use of Risperidone in 10 reports and, Hypothyroidism associated to the use of Amiodarone in 3 reports. Conclusions: Carrying out such studies allows for the understanding of the main medication-use problems that are shown during common use of medications, as well as their safety profile.

Objetivo. O objetivo do artigo é conhecer as alterações endócrinas associadas ao uso de medicamentos reportadas pelo Programa Distrital de Vigilância farmacológica em Bogotá. Materiais e métodos. Os reportes analisados correspondem ao período de janeiro de 2012 a dezembro 2016 e a analise foi realizada com algoritmos de causalidade e por tipo de evento. Resultados. Foram analisados 87 reportes, embora no final dois deles foram desconsiderados, um por corresponder a um problema relacionado com o medicamento e o outro por falta de informações para classifica-lo. Encontraram-se 36 (42%) de reportes associados a reações adversas perante os medicamentos tipo A e 26 (31%) de reportes de RAM tipo falho terapêutico. As principais RAM foram por uso de cinacalcet com aumento dos níveis de parathormona em 27 reportes (34%), seguidas de Síndrome de Cushing relacionado com prednisolona em 12 reportes (14,1%), bócio por uso de adalimumab em outros 12 re-portes, hiperprolactinemia por uso de risperidona em 10 casos (11,8%) e hipotiroidismo induzido por amiodarona em 3 casos. Conclusoes. O desenvolvimento destes estudos, permite conhecer as principais reações adversas causadas pelo uso habitual dos medicamentos mesmo como seu perfil de segurança.

Predicting pharmacy students' intention to apply for a residency: A systematic theory of planned behavior approach.

OBJECTIVE: The current literature has identified many motivating factors and barriers influencing pharmacy students' decision to apply for residency training. Despite a growing need for residency trained pharmacists to advance the profession, it is not clear why only about one in four pharmacy students decide to pursue a residency, and which of these factors have the most influence on student decision-making. The study examines the factors associated with pharmacy students' intention to apply for a postgraduate residency using the theory of planned behavior (TPB) framework. METHODS: Second and third-year students from four Texas pharmacy schools were surveyed using an online questionnaire based on the TPB. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analyses were utilized to assess the study objectives. RESULTS: A total of 251 completed responses were received. Attitude, subjective norms (SN), and perceived behavioral control (PBC) were significant predictors of intention to apply for a pharmacy residency (ß = 0.32, 0.58, and 0.36, respectively, p < 0.001). Attending ASHP's midyear meeting or other residency showcase was a significant predictor of intention (ß = 0.71, p = 0.006). Additional significant predictors of intention include believing a residency would increase confidence in practicing pharmacy (ß = 0.36, p < 0.001) and help achieve career goals (ß = 0.16, p < 0.02); the social influence of faculty members (ß = 0.10, p = 0.003) and family (ß = 0.08, p = 0.02); believing financial obligations (ß = 0.20, p = 0.006), feeling afraid of the competition and/or not matching (ß = 0.24, p < 0.001), needing to relocate (ß = 0.09, p = 0.04), and the lengthy application and/or interview process (ß = 0.12, p = 0.04) would make it more difficult to apply for a residency. CONCLUSIONS: The TPB model was useful in predicting pharmacy students' intention to apply for a residency, and all TPB constructs were significant predictors. Therefore, interventions that target students' attitude, SN, and PBC may be valuable to increase their intention, especially the specific beliefs identified to significantly predict intention. Future research into methods in which these motivating factors can be encouraged and perceived barriers can be addressed by pharmacy stakeholders will increase interest and participation in residency training.