A framework model for a contextualized and integrated warfarin therapy case in a master of pharmacy program

© Copyright 2019 American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education.Objective. To develop and integrate a case study on warfarin into a clinical pharmacy workshop. Methods. A framework model was designed and used to create a case study on warfarin therapy. The case study was implemented in a third-year Master of Pharmacy course. Student feedback was obtained using an online questionnaire and two focus groups. Results. All students agreed that the case study successfully integrated the science of warfarin and concepts of pharmacy practice. The majority of students (94%) agreed that this approach helped them to understand the science of warfarin more than a traditional lecture would have. Students felt the time allocated to the workshop was too short. Conclusion. An integrated case study provides a learning environment that emphasizes the contextualization of chemistry and pharmacology into a clinical pharmacy setting.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio

The American Medical Association’s Work for Consumer Protection

The aim of the given paper is the development of an approach for the identification of affine Wiener systems with piecewise linear nonlinearities, i.e. when the linear part with unknown parameters is followed by a saturation-like function with unknown slopes. It is shown here that by a simple data rearrangement and by a following data partition the problem of identification of the nonlinear Wiener system could be reduced to a linear parametric estimation problem. Afterwards, estimates of the unknown parameters of linear regression models are obtained by processing respective sets of input-output data. A technique based on ordinary least squares, to be used in a case of missing data, and on the expectation-maximization algorithm is proposed here for the identification of parameters of linear and nonlinear parts of the Wiener system, including the unknown threshold of the piecewise nonlinearity, too. The results of numerical simulation and identification obtained by processing observations of input-output signals of distinct discrete-time Wiener systems with two types piecewise nonlinearities by computer are given

Assessing student perceptions of the Pharm.D. degree at a private tertiary medical university in India

Background: Pharmacy education in India has expanded to include the Doctorate of Pharmacy degree (Pharm.D.). With clinical practice in early development, job opportunities in India are limited. Graduates often consider pharmacy opportunities abroad. Aims: This study compares Indian students’ career aspirations related to the Pharm.D. degree before and after beginning their programmes. Methods: A 5-point Likert scale paper survey with open ended questions was distributed to all Pharm.D. students (Year 1- 6) at a medical university in India. Results: With a response rate of 83% (144/173), over half of the students’ primary goal was to pursue careers abroad post-graduation (54.2% before, 51.4% after). Data from the last three graduating classes indicated that 28.3% travelled abroad for future studies while 62.3% secured positions in India. Conclusions: Opportunities abroad remain challenging for Indian trained Pharm.D.s’; graduates may consider the expanding clinical opportunities in India

Virginia Commonwealth University Professional Bulletin

Professional programs bulletin for Virginia Commonwealth University for the academic year 2018-2019. It includes information on academic regulations, degree requirements, course offerings, faculty, academic calendar, and tuition and expenses for graduate programs

Pharmacy Student's perceptions of Natural Science and Mathematics Subjects

Objective. To determine the level of importance pharmacy students placed on science and mathematics subjects for pursuing a career in pharmacy. Method. Two hundred fifty-four students completed a survey instrument developed to investigate students’ perceptions of the relevance of science and mathematics subjects to a career in pharmacy. Pharmacy students in all 4 years of a master of pharmacy (MPharm) degree program were invited to complete the survey instrument. Results. Students viewed chemistry-based and biology-based subjects as relevant to a pharmacy career, whereas mathematics subjects such as physics, logarithms, statistics, and algebra were not viewed important to a career in pharmacy. Conclusion. Students’ experience in pharmacy and year of study influenced their perceptions of subjects relevant to a pharmacy career. Pharmacy educators need to consider how they can help students recognize the importance of scientific knowledge earlier in the pharmacy curriculum

Pearl Kendrick, Grace Eldering, and the Pertussis Vaccine

State health department laboratories are crucial to the development of public health research

Correlation Study: Student Success in Biochemistry as a Prerequisite for Integrated Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry

Background A rise in new schools of pharmacy has led to implementation of new curriculums. Pharmacy schools must adhere to standards set by the Accreditation Council of Pharmacy Education in order to provide knowledge of foundational sciences and prepare pharmacy students for the future. Prerequisites are typically foundational science courses taken early in the program so that students have the knowledge necessary to be excellent pharmacists. Within the Cedarville University School of Pharmacy, Biochemistry is a prerequisite course for Integrated Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology (PCoMedChem). Objectives The goal of this study is to determine if Biochemistry should remain a prerequisite course for Integrated Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology at Cedarville University under a TBL setting based on if student success in Biochemistry influences student success in PcoMedChem. Methodology The study will evaluate student individual and overall course grades for both Biochemistry and PcoMedChem. The data will include grades from the 2018-2021 cohorts of pharmacy students. Inclusion criteria consists of completion of Biochemistry and Integrated Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology. No exclusion of students exist because all student data will be evaluated. Students will complete a survey through Qualtrics regarding extracurricular commitments as well as perceptions towards the courses to supplement the findings and explain discrepancies. Analysis The demographics and students’ perceptions will be compared in SPSS by analyzing frequency of responses. Using SPSS, the Wilcoxon test and Levene’s test will be conducted followed by a Pearson or Spearman correlation, depending on distribution, in order to determine correlation between grades in Biochemistry and PcoMedChem. Additionally, an ANCOVA test will be used to analyze the data gathered from our survey. A p-value of 0.05 will be indicative of statistical significance