Use of Web-Based Learning Modules for a General Medicine Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience.

Objective. To implement and assess web-based learning modules on baseline pharmacy student knowledge prior to a general medicine advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE). Methods. Three web-based learning modules were developed for use prior to a general medicine APPE. Students completed pre- and post-assessments specific to each learning module. Additionally, students completed perception surveys at the conclusion of the APPE to determine the utility of these modules and the impact on student learning experiences. Results. Use of the web-based training (WBT) modules resulted in a statistically significant improvement in post-assessment scores for two of the three modules (p \u3c 0.001). Student participants found the modules easy to use and helpful in APPE preparation. Conclusions. Utilization of a WBT module prior to a general medicine APPE improves baseline knowledge among pharmacy students

Association Between Applications Scores and Positive Onsite Interviews of Pharmacy Residency Applicants

Application to pharmacy residency programs has become increasingly competitive over the past several years. Although successful candidates must excel in the various stages of the application process, preparing written applications and securing onsite interviews are early and arguably the most difficult steps. Residency programs vary in the criteria used for offering onsite interviews. The majority of insight into this topic comes from surveys of residency program directors, but corresponding analyses of interview offers have been minimal..

Medication Utilization Evaluation of Dabigatran and Rivaroxaban within a Large, Multicenter Health System.

Objective. The objective of this medication utilization evaluation (MUE) was to determine the appropriateness of dabigatran and rivaroxaban while also reviewing outcomes for safety and effectiveness within a large, multi-center health system. Methods. A retrospective chart review was performed using the system’s electronic medical record. A data inquiry was requested and generated for dabigatran usage from July 28, 2011 through July 28, 2012 and for rivaroxaban from March 1, 2012 to July 31, 2012 at eight health system hospitals. All patients receiving at least one dose were eligible for inclusion in the MUE. Results. For dabigatran, 78 of 390 unique patient encounters were analyzed (20%). All 62 rivaroxaban encounters were included in the analysis. Dabigatran was used for appropriate indications in 94% of encounters and 82% for rivaroxaban. Based on indication and renal function, 87% of dabigatran patients and 92% of rivaroxaban patients received correct dosing. For patients transitioning to or from another anticoagulant, appropriate transitions occurred in 44% of dabigatran transitions and 48% of rivaroxaban transitions. At discharge, 83% of dabigatran and 86% of rivaroxaban therapy was continued. There were no reported strokes or systemic embolism with dabigatran, but one reported deep vein thrombosis occurred during hospitalization with rivaroxaban therapy. Documented bleeds in 5% of dabigatran and 3% of rivaroxaban patients. Patient education was documented for 37% of dabigatran and 26% of rivaroxaban patients receiving therapeutic anticoagulation. Conclusion. This MUE revealed the appropriate use of dabigatran and rivaroxaban therapy with few safety outcomes within a large, multi-center health system

Inter-rater Reliability of a Care Plan Grading Rubric in a Team-taught Pharmacy Therapeutics Case Course

Poster Abstract published in American Journal of Pharmacy Education

Ovarian cancer susceptibility alleles and risk of ovarian cancer in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers

Germline mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 are associated with increased risks of breast and ovarian cancer. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified six alleles associated with risk of ovarian cancer for women in the general population. We evaluated four of these loci as potential modifiers of ovarian cancer risk for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers. Four single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), rs10088218 (at 8q24), rs2665390 (at 3q25), rs717852 (at 2q31), and rs9303542 (at 17q21), were genotyped in 12,599 BRCA1 and 7,132 BRCA2 carriers, including 2,678 ovarian cancer cases. Associations were evaluated within a retrospective cohort approach. All four loci were associated with ovarian cancer risk in BRCA2 carriers; rs10088218 per-allele hazard ratio (HR) = 0.81 (95% CI: 0.67–0.98) P-trend = 0.033, rs2665390 HR = 1.48 (95% CI: 1.21–1.83) P-trend = 1.8 × 10−4, rs717852 HR = 1.25 (95% CI: 1.10–1.42) P-trend = 6.6 × 10−4, rs9303542 HR = 1.16 (95% CI: 1.02–1.33) P-trend = 0.026. Two loci were associated with ovarian cancer risk in BRCA1 carriers; rs10088218 per-allele HR = 0.89 (95% CI: 0.81–0.99) P-trend = 0.029, rs2665390 HR = 1.25 (95% CI: 1.10–1.42) P-trend = 6.1 × 10−4. The HR estimates for the remaining loci were consistent with odds ratio estimates for the general population. The identification of multiple loci modifying ovarian cancer risk may be useful for counseling women with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations regarding their risk of ovarian cancer