RESUMEN
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to implement and evaluate a specialty pharmacy workshop across pharmacy management and skills lab courses. EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY AND SETTING: A specialty pharmacy workshop was developed and implemented. The lecture cohort (fall 2019) consisted of a 90-min lecture in pharmacy management. The lecture/lab cohort (fall 2020) consisted of the lecture plus a 30-min pre-lab video assignment and a two-hour laboratory activity. At the completion of lab, students presented findings virtually to specialty pharmacists. Pre-surveys and post-surveys assessed knowledge (10 items), self-confidence (9 items), and attitudes (11 items). FINDINGS: Of the 123 students enrolled in the course, 88 students (71.5%) completed pre- and post-surveys. On a 10-point scale, knowledge improved from 5.6 (SD = 1.5) to 6.5 (SD = 2.0) points in the lecture cohort and from 6.0 (SD = 1.6) to 7.3 (SD = 2.0) points in the lecture/lab cohort with a significance difference favoring the lecture/lab cohort. Perceived confidence improved for five out of nine items in the lecture cohort but improved significantly for all nine items in the lecture/lab cohort. Attitudes toward learning about specialty pharmacy were generally positive for both cohorts. SUMMARY: The specialty pharmacy workshop exposed students to workflow management and medication access processes. Students perceived the workshop to be a relevant and meaningful, allowing them to feel confident in developing knowledge and understanding of specialty pharmacy topics. The workshop can be replicated at a larger scale with schools of pharmacy utilizing the integration between didactic and laboratory courses.
Asunto(s)
Educación en Farmacia , Servicios Farmacéuticos , Farmacia , Estudiantes de Farmacia , Humanos , Flujo de Trabajo , CurriculumRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Total joint arthroplasty (TJA) postsurgical complications are increased in patients with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 kg/m2. Reducing BMI prior to surgery can be complicated and it is important to find effective methods to achieve weight loss goals prior to surgery. Pharmacy services have proven to be effective models for weight loss in prior studies and may be an avenue for achieving BMI reduction prior to TJA surgeries. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the benefit of pharmacist-driven interventions in an ambulatory care setting to achieve weight loss goals prior to TJA orthopedic surgeries. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients referred from an orthopedic surgeon's office to a clinical pharmacist service providing chronic disease state management. Patients were referred based on need to decrease BMI prior to TJA orthopedic surgeries. Visits included evaluations of medications, education on weight loss management techniques, including therapeutic lifestyle changes, and recommendations for weight loss medications. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in post-BMI when compared with pre-BMI (P = .007). Of 16 subjects who had complete pre- and post-BMI measurements, 4 (25%) subjects met their BMI goal. There was a statistically significant relationship between the number of appointments and difference in BMI (ρ = -0.71, P = .002). CONCLUSION: Pharmacists may be utilized in a collaborative health care model in the ambulatory care setting to assist patients with lifestyle or medication management to achieve weight loss prior to orthopedic surgeries.