A Research Elective Course on Dietary Supplements to Engage Doctor of Pharmacy Students in Primary Literature Evaluation and Scholarly Activity

2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 577-584 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed A. Islam ◽  
Simi Gunaseelan ◽  
Seher A. Khan
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Supplements ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Pharmacy Practice ◽  
Pharmacy Students ◽  
Scholarly Activity ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Primary Literature ◽  
Elective Course ◽  
Doctor Of Pharmacy

Purpose: To develop and implement a research elective course to enhance skills of pharmacy students on primary literature evaluation and evidence-based practice on dietary supplements and generate scholarly publications. Methods: A 2 credit hour independent research elective course was designed and implemented in the third-year doctor of pharmacy curriculum. The course involved student-led research activities that included formulating research project, reviewing of primary literature, collection and evaluation of data, and writing of review articles for publication in peer-reviewed journals. An online survey was administered to evaluate students’ perceptions of the course. Results: Students successfully completed the course. The course resulted in peer-reviewed publications through student–faculty collaboration. Pharmacy students enrolled in the elective course perceived that the course helped them enhance their analytical reasoning, critical thinking and drug-literature evaluation skills, gain evidence-based knowledge, and apply the knowledge into practice during their advanced pharmacy practice experiences community pharmacy rotations. Conclusions: The course provided opportunity to the pharmacy students to not only critically search and evaluate the literature but also publish in peer-reviewed journals. Other pharmacy schools/colleges can adopt this course model to create opportunities for student–faculty collaborations toward scholarly accomplishments.

Perceived Stress, Stressors, and Mental Distress Among Doctor of Pharmacy Students

2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (9) ◽  
pp. 1457-1468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gemma P. Geslani ◽  
Claude J. Gaebelein
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Pharmacy Students ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Quality Of Life Scale ◽  
Stress Levels ◽  
Doctor Of Pharmacy

We conducted an online survey to assess stress levels, stressors, coping strategies, and mental distress among first year professional Doctor of Pharmacy students at St. Louis College of Pharmacy. We used the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS10) to measure perceived stress and the Health-related Quality of Life Scale (HRQOL-14) to assess physical and mental health. Self-reported stress levels among our respondents were elevated, significantly higher than among other populations as reported in previous studies, and exceeded the threshold benchmarked as being unhealthy. Mental health scores were negatively correlated with stress levels, exceeded the threshold for frequent mental distress, and were significantly higher than in comparison groups as reported in previous studies. Examinations were ranked the most stressful events and spending time with family ranked as the most effective stress reliever. Further specific investigation is needed to identify probable contributors to distress and to solicit recommendations to help students alleviate their stress and strengthen their mental health.

Incorporating a Drug Information Consult into a Pharmacy Practice Course to Build Literature Search and Evaluation Skills Through a 3-Stage Model

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 306-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah Wittman ◽  
Craig Kovera ◽  
Maureen Sullivan ◽  
Martha M. Rumore
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Approach ◽  
Drug Information ◽  
Pharmacy Practice ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Pharmacy Students ◽  
Faculty Support ◽  
Primary Literature ◽  
Information Skills ◽  
Stage 1 ◽  
Based Medicine

Objective: Pharmacy students need to be equipped with skills to research and evaluate literature to effectively apply evidence-based medicine (EBM) in practice. To prepare them, a 3-stage approach to writing a drug information consult (3sDIC) was incorporated into a pharmacy course. The primary objective was to assess students’ abilities to retrieve and analyze literature pursuant to a drug information consult. Secondary objectives were to examine feasibility of faculty participation and continuation of the assignment. Design: Ninety students were given a clinical scenario about a patient. The assignment consisted of 3 stages incorporating use of the Population, Intervention, Comparison intervention, Outcome (PICO) method and modified systematic approach (MSA) for stage 1, evaluation of primary literature to write a draft for stage 2, and stage 3, the final consult. All 3 stages were reviewed and graded by faculty. Assessment: All students completed the 3sDIC, with no grade failures. The rubric employed by faculty was effective, providing students the opportunity to improve the consult. The 3sDIC was found to be feasible with adequate faculty support. Conclusion: The 3sDIC, although not a substitute for a complete drug information course, demonstrated a streamlined approach for Pharmacy year 2 (P2) students to acquire and develop drug information skills.

scholarly journals Oral Dietary Supplements Use among Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Malaysia

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heoy Teng Lee ◽  
Hong Chuan Loh ◽  
Siti Nur Liyana Ramlee ◽  
Irene Looi
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Supplements ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Supplement Use ◽  
Ensure Patient Safety ◽  
Personal Use ◽  
Dietary Supplement Use

Healthcare workers (HCWs) must be aware of the latest data supporting or refuting the use of oral dietary supplements (ODS) in order to disseminate evidence-based health information and help patients make informed decisions. Nevertheless, there is relatively scant data on the prevalence of dietary supplement use among HCWs, the types of dietary supplements recommended to patients by HCWs, and their reasons for recommending these products, particularly during the COVID-19 outbreak. This study examined the prevalence of ODS use among surveyed HCWs, considered the types of ODS used and recommended by those HCWs, identified the reasons given by those HCWs for using or not using ODS, and determined whether those HCWs were recommending or not recommending ODS to their patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional study targeted all HCWs working at a district hospital in Malaysia and was conducted via a self-administered online survey. The survey revealed that 67.3% of HCWs did not recommend ODS for patient use during the pandemic, despite 55.3% of HCWs reported personal use of ODS during the pandemic. Type of HCWs (P=0.001), monthly household income (P=0.019), prior ODS use (P<0.001) and recommendation of ODS to patients (P<0.001) were significantly associated with personal ODS use during the pandemic. Vitamin C was the most commonly used (81.3%) and recommended (95.0%) ODS. “To maintain overall health and wellness” was the most common reason for personal ODS use and recommendation to patients (83.3% & 79.2%). Given the increasing rate of ODS use during the pandemic, further research should be done so that evidence-based recommendations can be formulated to ensure patient safety.

Development of a collaborative psychiatric advanced pharmacy practice experience

2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (10) ◽  
pp. 325-328
Author(s):  
Joshua Caballero ◽  
Jehan Marino ◽  
Marlene Morales ◽  
Roberta Hinkes
Keyword(s):  
Pharmacy Practice ◽  
Student Evaluations ◽  
Pharmacy Students ◽  
Scholarly Activity ◽  
Economic Decline ◽  
Additional Time ◽  
Counseling Intervention ◽  
Practice Experience ◽  
Favorable Environment ◽  
Case Discussions

Introduction: Faculty are required to balance multiple duties, including, but not limited to teaching, precepting, and scholarly activity. Likewise, pharmacy managers with faculty appointments are challenged with balancing teaching and administrative duties. With increasing numbers of pharmacy students enrolled in colleges of pharmacy and the recent economic decline, there are concerns that increased responsibilities of faculty and preceptors may lead to sub-optimal advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs). Objectives: Describe a collaborate approach in teaching a psychiatric APPE allowing for additional time for other responsibilities while providing a favorable environment for students. Methods: Pharmacy faculty and managers developed a collaborative psychiatric APPE. The pharmacists divided lectures and case discussions. Students were given many responsibilities (e.g., counseling, intervention documentation). Preceptor evaluations were documented and evaluated. Results: Sixty-four students were precepted over two years. Student evaluations of APPE preceptors averaged 3.74/4.00. Additionally, faculty and pharmacy managers accomplished other activities. Conclusion: It appears this collaborative team taught approach succeeded in providing an auspicious environment for students while allowing preceptors to be productive.

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