bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of Pharmacists’ Religious and Personal Beliefs in Dispensing Contraceptives
Authors: Krupa Anna , Wertheimer Albert I 
Published: January 2018

Background: Until recently, pharmacies were not permitted to dispense any emergency contraceptives to women to prevent pregnancy. No legal statutes existed under which pharmacists with religious, moral or ethical objections could refuse to fill a prescription for contraceptives, nor were there direct guidelines describing the pharmacist’s professional obligations.
Objectives: The purpose of this study is to explore the frequency of cases in which pharmacists have refused, due to their personal beliefs, to provide counsel regarding contraceptives or have refused to refer to a patient to a different pharmacist or healthcare provider. This study will compare and contrast the differences between independent pharmacies and chain pharmacies (i.e. time spent, location, most common recommended contraception). Finally, this study will compare the results evident between male pharmacists and female pharmacists.
Method: Quantitative method employed uses two interview questions directed to pharmacists:
(1) “I am moving in with my fiancée/boyfriend next month and I have never used contraceptives. What are my options?”
(2) “If I use a condom and it breaks, do I have any choices to prevent pregnancy after the fact?”
The survey was conducted in two locations, the greater Philadelphia area and Hershey, PA. The survey was conducted through face-to-face interactions with pharmacists, either employed at independent pharmacy or at a chain pharmacy. Data collected from each pharmacist included number of approximate age/gender; minutes spent in each consultation with a patient; the kind of privacy provided during the consultation; and the referrals given, if any.
Results: Fifty (50) pharmacists were interviewed. No pharmacist indicated that counseling would be denied, although one (1) pharmacist refused to counsel on Plan B and four (4) pharmacists referred the interviewer to a doctor immediately, indicating that all medications require a prescription. Two (2) pharmacists spent more than 10 minutes providing the best possible counseling.

Type: Student Project
Combining Chalk Talk with PowerPoint to Increase In-class Student Engagement
Authors: Betharia Swati 
Published: January 2018

In striving to attain a higher degree of in-class student engagement, and target a larger number of preferred student-learning styles, this case study describes a multimodal teaching approach. PowerPoint slides have gradually gained popularity over the more traditional chalk and talk lecture design. The student population in today’s age seeks more non-passive modes of information delivery. Numerous novel approaches to enhance active learning, such as flipped classroom and problem-based learning, have recently been explored. While working well for therapeutic and lab-based courses, these formats may not be best-suited for all basic science topics. The importance of basic science in a pharmacy curriculum is well emphasized in the 2016 ACPE Standards. To actively involve students in a pharmacology lecture on diuretics, a session was designed to combine the PowerPoint and chalk talk approaches. Students created 10 concept diagrams following an instructor, who explained each step in the process using a document camera. For visual learners, these diagrams provided a layered representation of the information, gradually increasing in complexity. For learners with a preference for the reading learning style, the information was also available in corresponding PowerPoint slides. Scores from pre- and post-session quizzes indicated a high level of concept understanding and recall (median 1 [IQR 0 – 2] vs 4 [IQR 3 – 5]; p<0.001). The student perception survey data reported higher in-class attention levels (76%), an appreciation for the utility of self-created concept diagrams (88%), and a call for additional sessions being presented in this format (73%). Targeting a variety of student learning styles by using the active development of concept diagrams, in addition to traditional PowerPoint slides, can promote student engagement and enhance content understanding.

Type: Case Study
Evaluation of Qatari and Canadian Pharmacy Students Learning Together about Cultural Competency using Videoconference Educational Activities
Authors: Jorgenson Derek , Wilby Kyle J , Taylor Jeff 
Published: January 2018

Background: Pharmacists are under pressure to provide patient centered care within increasingly culturally diverse settings. Pharmacy schools play an important role in educating learners regarding culture and its impact on patient care.
Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine if a novel cultural competency learning activity, which involved students from two culturally and ethnically different pharmacy schools learning together using videoconference education activities, improved: (1) student knowledge and confidence pertaining to cultural competency concepts, (2) attitudes and perceptions towards being a culturally competent pharmacist, and (3) academic performance related to cultural competency case studies.
Methods: Pharmacy students from Qatar University in Doha, Qatar (n=25) and the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Canada (n=85) participated in a cultural competency activity comprised of small group work on a patient case study, followed by tutorial discussions. Some Canadian students (n=31/85) worked collaboratively (via video conference) with the students from Qatar. The evaluation used a convergent mixed methods design comprised of: (1) a pre and post session survey measuring student knowledge and confidence; (2) pre and post session student self-reflections; and, (3) student academic performance on care plans and an observed structured clinical exam (OSCE).
Results: The survey identified small but statistically significant (p<0.05) improvements in knowledge and confidence with respect to 11 of the 12 questionnaire items in the students from Canada and 2 of the 12 items in the students from Qatar. The self-reflections found that 44.4% (n=36/81) of students who completed the pre and post reflective questions reported a change in knowledge and attitudes regarding cultural competency, but a reason for the change was not evident. Student grades on the cultural competency care plans and the OSCE were not different between the students who worked collaboratively across the two schools compared with those who did not.
Conclusion: The cultural competency student activity showed small improvements in pharmacy student knowledge, attitudes and confidence, but did not affect academic performance. Future research in this area could utilize a greater diversity of methodological approaches, including a focus on student self-reflection and qualitative assessment, to better capture student competency.

Type: Original Research
Nullius in verba: Version 2.0 of the University of Minnesota, School of Social and Administrative Pharmacy Program, Proposed Guidelines for Formulary Evaluation
Authors: Langley Paul C 
Published: January 2018

The principal objective in introducing Version 2 of the proposed Minnesota Guidelines for Formulary Evaluation is to recognize the challenges faced by formulary committees and other health care decision makers with the introduction of next generation sequencing (NGS) in therapy choice across a range of disease areas. The adoption of NGS promises to disrupt accepted standards in product development and formulary assessment. Although the standards expected in presenting, evaluating and replications clinical and cost-effective claims will still be central to the assessment process, the application of NGS platforms to link therapy choices to identified mutation clusters will require a robust evidence base. These Guidelines are intended to provide the framework for that evidence base by setting protocol driven standards for (i) choosing the appropriate NGS platform and (ii) evaluating NGS platforms in the identification of therapy pathways for target populations in disease states.

Type: Commentary
Building Health Literacy and Cultural Competency Through Video Recording Exercises
Authors: Henriksen Brian , Henriksen Jennifer , Thurston J. Scott 
Published: January 2018

Video creation skills would allow pharmacists to create content tailored to their patients’ needs and include relevant aspects of cultural competency to achieve the goal of improved health literacy. Video recording exercises can provide students with an opportunity to build their drug knowledge and health literacy skills.
Conflict of Interest
None

Type: Commentary
Medication Use Evaluation of Dronedarone in Comparison to Amiodarone
Authors: Corey Adam , Johnston Nita 
Published: January 2018

Amiodarone is the most effective rhythm-control for atrial fibrillation, but produces serious potential side effects. Dronedarone was designed to eliminate amiodarone toxicities, but increased the risk of mortality in clinical trials. This medication use evaluation compares one year of dronedarone use with a matched cohort of amiodarone patients at a single hospital in Greensboro, NC. Forty-eight patients were included with an average age of 71.8 years and 37.5% female population. No significant difference was found for the primary composite outcome of death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and systemic embolism (OR = 2.4, p = 0.148). Likewise, no statistical significance was demonstrated between the two groups for QTc prolongation, hypothyroidism, liver dysfunction or maintenance of normal sinus rhythm. In conclusion, the clinical decision process demonstrated no increased risk of death or other adverse events in the use of dronedarone.
Conflict of Interest
We declare no conflicts of interest or financial interests that the authors or members of their immediate families have in any product or service discussed in the manuscript, including grants (pending or received), employment, gifts, stock holdings or options, honoraria, consultancies, expert testimony, patents and royalties

Type: Student Project
How Can Pharmacists Support STI Prevention and Treatment Among Female Adolescents and Young Adults?
Authors: Abraham Olufunmilola , Brothers Amanda , Rubin Mara , DeBlasio Richelle 
Published: January 2018

Sexual and reproductive health is a critical focus area for adolescents and young adults (AYAs). Of the 20 million newly diagnosed Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) annually, nearly half of them are contracted by young people between the ages of 15 to 24. It has become increasingly necessary to improve awareness and prevention of STIs during adolescent years. The knowledge gained through appropriately relevant sexual and reproductive health education may persist as adolescents transition into adulthood. Community pharmacists interact with AYAs frequently and are therefore well positioned to engage this vulnerable population in conversations about their sexual and reproductive health through use innovative and interactive technologies. For instance, mobile applications are easily accessible to AYAs and can allow pharmacists to disseminate relevant medication information to smartphone users that download adolescent-tailored mobile applications. Although many medication adherence apps are currently available on the market, none of these apps are tailored towards sexual reproductive health information for female AYAs. A mobile-based program designed to provide a pharmacist-guided sexual and reproductive health education to female AYAs may help to address the lapses in current adolescent-aged school health classes. In the future, usage of this intervention would improve the accuracy and comprehension of female adolescents and young adults’ awareness and knowledge of their sexual and reproductive health. As a result, further research should be conducted to develop mobile applications conducive to adolescent and young adults to address sexual and reproductive health issues.
Conflict of Interest
We declare no conflicts of interest or financial interests that the authors or members of their immediate families have in any product or service discussed in the manuscript, including grants (pending or received), employment, gifts, stock holdings or options, honoraria, consultancies, expert testimony, patents and royalties.

Type: Idea Paper
Associations between Modifiable Health-Risk Behaviors and Personality Types
Authors: Schommer Jon C. , Tieger Paul D. , Olson Anthony W. , Brown Lawrence M. 
Published: January 2018

Objectives: The first objective for this study was to explore if characteristics of personality type (using the Preferred Communication Style Questionnaire) are associated with the following modifiable health-risk behaviors: smoking, exercise, alcohol consumption, nutrition, sleep, depression-related stress, anxiety-related stress, healthcare professional usage, and self-discipline. The second objective for this study was to explore if characteristics of personality type are associated with (1) the quality of patient-physician relationships, (2) patient-physician communication, and (3) preferred method for receiving information.
Methods: Data were collected from 10,500 adult individuals residing in the United States via an on-line, self-administered survey coordinated by Qualtrics Panels from March 14-30, 2016. Chi-square analysis was used for making comparisons between categories of personality types and items related to health-risk behaviors. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. However, chi-square analysis with large sample sizes (e.g. 10,500 in this study) readily yields statistical significance. Practical significance was set at four or more percentage points above or below the overall mean.
Results: Regarding objective 1, personality type was associated with all nine health-risk behaviors studied. Personality types within the Experiencer temperament (17% of the U.S. population) accounted for 46% of the undesirable scores we computed for health-risk behaviors. The Idealist temperament (17% of population) accounted for 32% of the undesirable scores. Conceptualizers (10% of population) accounted for 17% of the undesirable scores and Traditionalists (46% of population) accounted for 5% of the undesirable scores. Regarding objective 2, the findings showed that personality type was associated with (1) the importance people place on the patient-physician relationship, (2) which characteristics of that relationship are most desirable, (3) desire for more communication with their physician, and (4) the preferred method for receiving information.
Discussion and Conclusions: Precision medicine has been proposed as a way to create a new taxonomy of disease that uses individual specific data to develop accurate diagnosis, targeted treatment, and improved health outcomes. Based on the findings of this study, we propose that inclusion of personality type is an important component of these efforts so that the health care system can conform more to the individual patient in order to increase engagement and adherence, reduce errors, minimize ineffective treatment and waste, and can be cost effective.
Conflict of Interest
Co-author, Paul Tieger is CEO of SpeedReading People, LLC which holds copyright for the Individual Wellness Plan and Adherence Predictive Index tools that are mentioned in this manuscript.

Type: Original Research
Use of an Innovative Interprofessional Mini-Series Movie to Train Preceptors
Authors: Cox Craig D , Samuel Nephy G , Cheon Jongpil 
Published: January 2018

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of the innovative “Preceptor Mini-Series: Adventures in Interprofessional Precepting” movie program in training pharmacy preceptors on interprofessional competencies and to determine pharmacy preceptors’ perceptions of the effectiveness of the Mini-Series format.
Methods: Chronicled by two preceptor experts, the Mini-Series movie follows the challenges of pharmacy, nursing, and medicine students and their preceptor during six-week experiential rotations. Pharmacy preceptors were invited to events held at movie theatres or local classrooms in three different cities. Participants were asked to provide basic demographic information and answer four “pre-program” and “post-program” survey questions focused on working in an interprofessional environment on a 5 point scale, 1=strongly disagree, 5=strongly agree. The post-program survey also included six additional questions to assess participant’s attitudes toward the effectiveness of this medium.
Results: Fifty-eight (58) individuals attended the movie events. The majority had more than ten years of preceptor experience (n = 21, 36.2%), were female preceptors (n = 40, 69.0%), and practiced in an interprofessional environment (n = 48, 82.8%). The participants’ scores on all four interprofessional confidence level questions were significantly increased after viewing the Mini-Series movie and the overall mean increased from 4.47 (pre-confidence level) to 4.79 (post-confidence level, p < 0.001). There were no significant differences of confidence levels based on gender, location, or number of students a preceptor took on rotation each year. However, participants with fewer years of preceptor experience (0-10 years) had a significantly higher perceived learning score than those with more preceptor experience (>10 years) (4.89 vs. 4.63, p = 0.020). The mean for satisfaction (4.9, 3 questions) was slightly higher than the means for perceived learning (4.8, 1 question), and instructional approach (4.87, 3 questions).
Implications: After program completion, pharmacy preceptors indicated an increase in confidence level for precepting in an interprofessional environment. The Mini-Series movie program also yielded positive feedback on its delivery format and suggests the medium may be effective to use for similar future training initiatives.
Conflict of Interest
The authors report no conflicts of interest or financial incentives to disclose related to this project. Dr. Craig D. Cox conceptualized, developed, and directed the Mini-Seriesprogram described in the manuscript. All funding for and all income generated by the program studied is the property of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy.

Type: Original Research
Incorporation of Video Vignettes into Pharmacy Residency Application Processes
Authors: Ware Kenric , Johnson Jessica , Stroud Hannah 
Published: January 2018

This commentary discusses the introduction of video vignettes (VVs) into the context of pharmacy residency application processes. An extension of the conversation around which items are requested of pharmacy candidates when applying to pharmacy residency programs is provided. In conjunction with other documents that provide insights into candidates’ abilities, video vignettes (VVs) are presented as viable considerations to gain additional perspective. Implications for time-saving and cost conservation by utilizing VVs are also in view. Hiring employees will presumably have the latitude to require the content of VVs to address aspects deemed more relevant to their institutional operating procedures. Foreseeable benefits and challenges to video vignette (VV) adoption are described within this setting. Counterpoints are presented in response to disadvantages to adoption that may surface. An example of a VV has been crafted to actualize sample components that may be feasible for future use. The challenges faced by healthcare facilities to filling pharmacy residency positions from a vast number of applicants remain pronounced. Creativity in the pharmacy residency selection process is often stifled by routinized methods of application review. Innovative models such as VVs could offer a refreshing alternative to candidates for showcasing individualities and perhaps afford evaluating bodies a unique resource for further candidate differentiation.

Type: Commentary
Foreign Accent Syndrome Secondary to Medication Withdrawal: A Case Report
Authors: Schuh Michael J. 
Published: January 2018

Objective: The purpose of this case report is to demonstrate a possible alternative etiology related to dopamine may exist for foreign accent syndrome (FAS).
Methods: A 79-year-old, 205 pound, Caucasian woman originally presented to the department of Neurology for treatment and subsequently to the pharmacist pharmacotherapy service for evaluation of bilateral upper extremity tremor of high amplitude but was found to also exhibit FAS.
Discussion: This case report contributes to the limited literature regarding foreign accent syndrome and adds to the few case reports of psychogenic origin, as opposed to the majority, which are of neurogenic origin. This also represents the first case that seems related to withdrawal of medication rather than psychotic exacerbation and ranks a six on the Naranjo algorithm.
Conclusion: FAS is a rare disorder and little is understood about it. This case presentation also suggests that chronic use of high-dose dopamine and/or anticholinergic agents may alter pathways in the brain, which in this case, may have potentially contributed to the development of FAS. There remain many unanswered questions regarding FAS, but hopefully more clarity may be found as more cases are discovered and published.
Conflict of Interest
I declare no conflicts of interest or financial interests that the authors or members of their immediate families have in any product or service discussed in the manuscript, including grants (pending or received), employment, gifts, stock holdings or options, honoraria, consultancies, expert testimony, patents and royalties.

Type: Case Study
Facilitating Community Engagement in Academic Pharmacy Careers
Authors: Palombi Laura C 
Published: January 2018

Despite the recognized value of community engagement in academic pharmacy, the implementation of sustainable and fruitful community partnerships can be challenging. This manuscript will highlight a junior faculty member’s journey with community engagement, sharing the ways that community engagement can guide an academic career and the benefits of community engagement in teaching, research and service. Also highlighted is the role – and argued responsibility - of the academic institution in community engagement, as well as an identification of the barriers that might be interfering with pharmacy faculty community engagement. Considerations for the development of faculty members striving to more fully incorporate engagement into their teaching, research, and service are provided.
Conflict of Interest
I declare no conflicts of interest or financial interests that the authors or members of their immediate families have in any product or service discussed in the manuscript, including grants (pending or received), employment, gifts, stock holdings or options, honoraria, consultancies, expert testimony, patents and royalties.

Type: Commentary