Health screenings with a medical interpreter in a required Ambulatory Care Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess second year student pharmacists' (P2) confidence in communicating with patients with limited English proficiency before and after a required community-based health screening experience. EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY AND SETTING: All P2s were required to complete a 0.5 credit hour Ambulatory Care Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE). As part of this experience, P2s conducted blood pressure (BP) and blood glucose (BG) screenings with a medical interpreter at a low-income apartment building that has a large Mandarin-speaking population. Each student was required to attend one health screening event. Between September 2022 and April 2023,we administered paper questionnaires to P2s and community members to obtain feedback about the experience. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-squared tests, and paired t-tests while a content analysis was conducted on qualitative data. FINDINGS: P2s (n = 82, 100%) conducted an average of 5.7 (SD 2.6) BP and 5.9 (SD 2.7) BG screenings per two-hour event. P2s reported higher confidence in conducting assessments, communicating via a medical interpreter, and working on a team at the end of the event. P2s agreed that it should be kept as part of the IPPE (99%). Community members (n = 55, 22%) participated in a bilingual paper-based questionnaire. Community members reported positive experiences and a desire to continue to participate. SUMMARY: At the end of the health screening event, P2s were more confident in their ability to communicate with older adult community members using translated written documents and verbally with a medical interpreter. P2s and community members supported continuation of the program.

Navigating the journey as a peer reviewer: a roadmap to success.

Peer review is an essential step in scientific progress and clinical improvement, providing opportunity for research to be critically evaluated and improved by one's colleagues. Pharmacists from all job settings are called to serve as peer reviewers in the ever-growing publication landscape of the profession. Despite challenges to engagement such as time and compensation, peer review provides considerable professional development for both authors and reviewers alike. This article will serve as a practical guide for peer reviewers, discussing best practices as well as the handling of different situations that may arise during the process.

Insights into designing educational materials for persons living with dementia: a focus group study.

BACKGROUND: Persons living with dementia (PLWD) may experience communication difficulties that impact their ability to process written and pictorial information. Patient-facing education may help promote discontinuation of potentially inappropriate medications for older adults without dementia, but it is unclear how to adapt this approach for PLWD. Our objective was to solicit feedback from PLWD and their care partners to gain insights into the design of PLWD-facing deprescribing intervention materials and PLWD-facing education material more broadly. METHODS: We conducted 3 successive focus groups with PLWD aged ≥ 50 (n = 12) and their care partners (n = 10) between December 2022 and February 2023. Focus groups were recorded and transcripts were analyzed for overarching themes. RESULTS: We identified 5 key themes: [1] Use images and language consistent with how PLWD perceive themselves; [2] Avoid content that might heighten fear or anxiety; [3] Use straightforward delivery with simple language and images; [4] Direct recipients to additional information; make the next step easy; and [5] Deliver material directly to the PLWD. CONCLUSION: PLWD-facing educational material should be addressed directly to PLWD, using plain, non-threatening and accessible language with clean, straightforward formatting.

Transitioning From Points-Based Grading to a Modified Pass/Fail Grading Approach in a Simulated Patient Program.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of transitioning from points-based grading to a modified pass/fail grading approach in a simulated patient (SP) program on first year pharmacy (P1) student performance in a PharmD curriculum. METHODS: Course-level data from the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 academic years were collected to assess the impact of transitioning to a modified pass/fail grading approach on P1 student performance. During the 2021-2022 academic year, points-based grading was used. In 2022-2023, a modified pass/fail grading approach was implemented: communication assessment used pass/fail grading and clinical assessment used points-based grading; each assessment was worth 50% of the total SP activity grade. Chi-square tests were used to compare the percentage of students who passed each assessment (≥70%) with those who failed. RESULTS: Across both academic years, students completed 9 formative (18 rubrics) and 6 summative (12 rubrics) SP activities. Each activity included separate communication and clinical assessment rubrics. There were no significant differences in performance on 27 of 30 rubrics. There were two formative SP activities where the percentage of students who passed the communication assessment using pass/fail grading (2022-2023 academic year) was different than points-based grading (2021-2022 academic year). In one fall semester activity, the cohort with the modified pass/fail grading approach had lower pass rates, but the opposite trend was observed in the winter semester. CONCLUSION: Our program was able to successfully move to a pass/fail approach for communication assessments of SP activities while maintaining points-based grading for clinical assessments in our P1 curriculum with minimal impact on student performance.

Nonprescription Medications for Eye Allergies.

This JAMA Patient Page describes the types of over-the-counter medications to treat eye allergy symptoms and how to use them.

An Integrative Review of Micro-Credentials and Digital Badges for Pharmacy Educators.

Micro-credentials (MCs) and digital badges (DBs) have gained popularity in recent years as a means to supplement traditional degrees and certifications. MCs and DBs can play a significant role in supporting student-centered learning by offering personalized and flexible learning pathways, emphasizing real-world relevance and practical skills, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth. However, barriers currently exist within health professions education, including pharmacy education, that could limit the full adoption and implementation of MCs and DBs. Research on the use of MCs and DBs in Doctor of Pharmacy degree programs is sparse. In this integrative review, literature on the use of MCs and DBs in health professions education is reviewed, and perspectives on the benefits, issues, and potential future uses within Doctor of Pharmacy degree programs are presented.

The Patient Typology about deprescribing and medication-related decisions: A quantitative exploration.

This study aimed to test the adequacy of a quantitative measure of our qualitatively developed Patient Typology-categories of older adults' attitudes towards medicines and medicine decision-making-and identify characteristics associated with each Typology. We conducted secondary data analyses of a subset of survey item measures of adults (≥65 years) who were members of online survey panels in Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States and the Netherlands (n = 4688). Multinomial logistic regression analyses assessed associations between demographic, psychosocial and medication-related measures. Mean age was 71.5 (5), and 47.5% of participants were female. Factors associated with an increased likelihood of identifying with Typology 1 'Attached to medicines' over Typology 2 'Open to deprescribing' were higher positive attitude towards polypharmacy (RRR = 1.12, p = <0.001) and higher need for certainty (RRR = 1.11, p = 0.039). Factors associated with an increased likelihood of identifying with Typology 3 'Defers (medication decision-making) to others' over Typology 2 were older age (RRR = 1.47 per 10-year age increase, p = <0.001) and a decreased likelihood of prior deprescribing experience (RRR = 0.73, p = 0.033). This study provides validation of the Typology with large samples from four countries, with the quantitatively-measured typologies generally aligning with the qualitatively derived categories. Our Patient Typology measure provides a succinct way researchers can assess attitudes towards deprescribing.

Nonprescription Medications for Adults With Allergic Rhinitis.

This JAMA Patient Page describes the types of nonprescription medications for allergic rhinitis and how to use them.

The Impact of Rurality and Age on Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Michigan Residents.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent cause of cancer-related deaths in Michigan, but not all Michigan adults had appropriate CRC screening. Objective: To assess the relationship between rurality and age on CRC screenings to inform how pharmacists could focus their efforts to educate, facilitate, or offer CRC health screenings. Methods: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study using 2018 Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (MiBRFSS) survey data. Michigan participants aged ≥ 50 years were included. Outcomes included the utilization of stool-based tests, sigmoidoscopies, colonoscopies, and the most recent CRC screening. Demographic variables included age, sex, income, race/ethnicity, relationship status, education level, employment status, income, rurality, and health insurance. Representative sampling weights were used to adjust for the complex survey design. Descriptive statistics, chi-square, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted. IBM SPSS version 28.0.1.0 was used and an a priori p-value of <0.05 was deemed significant. Results: A weighted total of 3,762,540 participants were included, of which 21.3% (n = 781,907) reported living in a rural area and approximately 70% (n = 2,616,646) were between the ages of 50-69 years old. Most participants reported being White, non-Hispanic (n = 3,104,117, 84.5%), having health insurance (n = 3,619,801, 96.4%), and having a colonoscopy (74.6%, n= 2,620,581). There was no difference based on rurality. Compared to those aged 50-59 years, adults 60-69 years (AOR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.58,2.45), 70-79 years (AOR = 3.29, 95% CI: 2.40,4.51), and ≥ 80 years (AOR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.54,3.24) had higher odds of receiving a colonoscopy. Lack of insurance was associated with lower odds of receiving a colonoscopy (AOR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.23, 0.56). Conclusion: Most participants reported having a CRC screening but efforts to increase CRC screening in Michigan adults aged 50-59 are warranted.

Topical Nonprescription Pain Medications for Adults.

This JAMA Patient Page describes the types of topical nonprescription pain medications and tips for using them.

Factors Important to Older Adults Who Disagree With a Deprescribing Recommendation.

Importance: Little is known about why older adults decline deprescribing recommendations, primarily because interventional studies rarely capture the reasons. Objective: To examine factors important to older adults who disagree with a deprescribing recommendation given by a primary care physician to a hypothetical patient experiencing polypharmacy. Design, Setting, and Participants: This online, vignette-based survey study was conducted from December 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021, with participants 65 years or older in the United Kingdom, the US, Australia, and the Netherlands. The primary outcome of the main study was disagreement with a deprescribing recommendation. A content analysis was subsequently conducted of the free-text reasons provided by participants who strongly disagreed or disagreed with deprescribing. Data were analyzed from August 22, 2022, to February 12, 2023. Main Outcomes and Measures: Attitudes, beliefs, fears, and recommended actions of older adults in response to deprescribing recommendations. Results: Of the 899 participants included in the analysis, the mean (SD) age was 71.5 (4.9) years; 456 participants (50.7%) were men. Attitudes, beliefs, and fears reported by participants included doubts about deprescribing (361 [40.2%]), valuing medications (139 [15.5%]), and a preference to avoid change (132 [14.7%]). Valuing medications was reported more commonly among participants who strongly disagreed compared with those who disagreed with deprescribing (48 of 205 [23.4%] vs 91 of 694 [13.1%], respectively; P < .001) or had personal experience with the same medication class as the vignette compared with no experience (93 of 517 [18.0%] vs 46 of 318 [12.1%], respectively; P = .02). Participants shared that improved communication (225 [25.0%]), alternative strategies (138 [15.4%]), and consideration of medication preferences (137 [15.2%]) may increase their agreement with deprescribing. Participants who disagreed compared with those who strongly disagreed were more interested in additional communication (196 [28.2%] vs 29 [14.2%], respectively; P < .001), alternative strategies (117 [16.9%] vs 21 [10.2%], respectively; P = .02), or consideration of medication preferences (122 [17.6%] vs 15 [7.3%], respectively; P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance: In this survey study, older adults who disagreed with a deprescribing recommendation were more interested in additional communication, alternative strategies, or consideration of medication preferences compared with those who strongly disagreed. These findings suggest that identifying the degree of disagreement with deprescribing could be used to tailor patient-centered communication about deprescribing in older adults.

Nonprescription Heartburn Medications for Adults.

This JAMA Patient Page describes the types of nonprescription heartburn medications: antacids, histamine 2 blockers, and proton pump inhibitors.

Oral Nonprescription Pain Medications for Adults.

This JAMA Patient Page describes the common oral nonprescription pain medications acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium.

A systematic review on the use of virtual patient and computer-based simulation for experiential pharmacy education.

Background: Simulation use is rapidly expanding, with technologies like virtual patients (VPs) and computer-based simulation (CBS) allowing for educators to equip pharmacy students with the necessary skills that are aligned with the demands and expectations of a practicing pharmacy professional. These technologies enable pharmacy students to be exposed to challenging or infrequent patient case scenarios in an authentic pharmacy setting. This allows for the reinforcing of care processes and for techniques and crucial skills to be applied. Aim of the study: To consolidate the existing evidence regarding the utilization of VPs and CBS in preparing and supporting students in pharmacy experiential education and evaluate the effectiveness of these approaches in enhancing student pharmacists' learning outcomes, including knowledge, skills, confidence, enjoyment, and engagement. Methods: Five electronic databases were searched using combined keyword and indexing terms (when available) with Boolean operators for the literature search. Studies that reported or investigated the use of VPs and CBS in pharmacy experiential education were included. Data on study design, demographics of participants, information on the interventions, course/skills, primary and secondary outcomes, and qualitative findings were extracted. Results: A total of 911 unique articles were initially identified and filtered down to 19 articles fitting within the inclusion criteria. The selected 19 articles involved student pharmacists (Y1-Y5) and pre-registered pharmacists from ten countries. Simulation tools were used in various pharmacy courses, including Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE), Advanced Pharmaceutical Care II, and Medication Management. Implementing these tools in pharmacy experiential education demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in student knowledge (p < 0.05). Most students agreed/strongly agreed that practicing with virtual patient cases enhanced their clinical reasoning, counseling skills, confidence in communication, and attitudes toward the courses. Conclusions: This systematic review supports the use of VPs and CBS in pharmacy experiential education and provides practical recommendations for educators including selecting suitable tools, implementing them strategically within courses, integrating them with existing activities, and considering financial and IT support.

Polypharmacy and Deprescribing.

This JAMA Patient Page describes the problem of polypharmacy and its consequences, and how deprescribing can reduce polypharmacy.

Remote extemporaneous compounding lab practical for pharmacy students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Due to COVID-19 movement restrictions, institutes of higher learning had to deliver pharmacy curricula remotely. One major challenge was teaching practical lab skills, such as extemporaneous compounding, remotely due to the need for hands-on learning and its associated logistical requirements. EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY AND SETTING: We present the approach to remote extemporaneous compounding teaching taken by three pharmacy schools: Monash University Malaysia, University of Michigan, and University of Maryland. Prior to delivery, students were either supplied with or asked to procure a set of easily accessible ingredients and equipment to conduct the extemporaneous practicals from home. We conducted lessons remotely using both synchronous and asynchronous delivery, and demonstrated, taught, and assessed practical lab skills using video conferencing modalities. FINDINGS: We successfully conducted remote teaching of extemporaneous compounding, where similar learning outcomes to the face-to-face implementation were achieved. At Monash University Malaysia, > 90% of students responding to the post-activity surveys found the remote extemporaneous sessions useful for their learning, and qualitative comments supported these views. Mean scores from the remote extemporaneous labs in 2021 were similar to those when conducted physically in 2019, supporting the effectiveness of the approach. The different approaches attempted by the three institutions highlighted the flexibility in implementation that can be considered to achieve similar outcomes. SUMMARY: Combining technology-based approaches with synchronous and asynchronous teaching and learning methods can successfully deliver extemporaneous compounding skills remotely.

Reasons why older adults in three countries agreed with a deprescribing recommendation in a hypothetical vignette.

The purpose of this study was to examine factors important to older adults who agreed with a deprescribing recommendation given by a general practitioner (GP) to a hypothetical patient experiencing polypharmacy. We conducted an online, vignette-based, experimental study in the United Kingdom, United States and Australia with participants ≥65 years. The primary outcome was an agreement with a deprescribing recommendation (6-point Likert scale; 1 = strongly disagree and 6 = strongly agree). We performed a content analysis of the free-text reasons provided by participants who agreed with deprescribing (score of 5 or 6). Among 2656 participants who agreed with deprescribing, approximately 53.7% shared a preference for following the GP's recommendation or considered the GP the expert. The medication was referred to as a reason for deprescribing by 35.6% of participants. Less common themes included personal experience with medicine (4.3%) and older age (4.0%). Older adults who agreed with deprescribing in a hypothetical vignette most frequently reported a desire to follow the recommendations given the GP's expertise. Future research should be conducted to help clinicians efficiently identify patients who have a strong desire to follow the doctor's recommendations related to deprescribing, as this may allow for a tailored, brief deprescribing conversation.

Older adults experiencing polypharmacy preferred to continue their non-prescription products during a card sorting activity.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the extent to which adults 65-years and older who reported taking 10 or more non-prescription products were interested in deprescribing. METHODS: During an online semi-structured interview, participants were asked to imagine their primary care provider raised the idea of deprescribing. Participants sorted each prescription and non-prescription medication into a category: continue, stop or lower (deprescribe), or unsure. Findings were summarized using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. KEY FINDINGS: Participants (n = 15) were interested in deprescribing 6% of the non-prescription medications (n = 12/207). CONCLUSIONS: Older adults were resistant to deprescribing non-prescription products.

Harm and Medication-Type Impact Agreement with Hypothetical Deprescribing Recommendations: a Vignette-Based Experiment with Older Adults Across Four Countries.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about what factors are important to older adults when deciding whether to agree with a recommendation to deprescribe. OBJECTIVE: To explore the extent to which medication type and rationale for potential discontinuation influence older adults' acceptance of deprescribing. DESIGN: Cross-sectional 2 (drug: lansoprazole - treat indigestion; simvastatin - prevent cardiovascular disease) by 3 (deprescribing rationale: lack of benefit; potential for harm; both) experimental design. PARTICIPANTS: Online panelists aged ≥65 years from Australia, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States INTERVENTIONS: Participants were presented with a hypothetical patient experiencing polypharmacy whose PCP discussed stopping a medication. We randomized participants to receive one of six vignettes. MAIN MEASURES: We measured agreement with deprescribing (6-point Likert scale, "Strongly disagree (1)" and "Strongly agree (6)") for the hypothetical patient as the primary outcome. We also measured participants' personality traits, perceptions of risk and uncertainty, and attitudes towards polypharmacy and deprescribing. KEY RESULTS: Among 5311 participants (93.3% completion rate), the mean (M) agreement with deprescribing for the hypothetical patient was 4.71 (95% confidence interval (CI): 4.67, 4.75). Participants reported higher agreement with stopping lansoprazole (n=2656) (M=4.90, 95% CI: 4.85, 4.95) compared to simvastatin (n=2655) (M=4.53, 95% CI: 4.47, 4.58), P<.001. Participants who received the combination rationale (n=1786) reported higher agreement with deprescribing (M=4.83, 95% CI: 4.76, 4.89) compared to those who received the rationales on lack of benefit (n=1755) (M=4.66, 95% CI: 4.60, 4.73) or potential for harm (n=1770) (M=4.65, 95% CI 4.58, 4.72). In adjusted regression analyses (n=5062), participants with a higher desire to engage in health promotion behaviors (b=0.08, 95% CI 0.02, 0.13) or need for certainty (b=0.12, 95% CI 0.04, 0.20) reported higher agreement with deprescribing. CONCLUSIONS: Older adults across four countries were accepting of deprescribing in the setting of polypharmacy. The medication type and rationale for discontinuation were important factors in the decision-making process. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT04676282, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04676282?term=vordenberg&draw=2&rank=1.