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Knowledge, attitudes and practice of final-year student pharmacists in public health in Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe: an exploratory survey
No full textObjective: To explore the knowledge, attitudes and practice of final-year student pharmacists about public health. Methods: Knowledge, attitudes and practice of all final-year student pharmacists (N = 158) in Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe were assessed through a quantitative 12-item survey. The survey assessed personal interest and attitude towards public health activities, self-assessed ability to perform basic public health activities, perspectives towards current pharmacist practices within public health activities in their country, and student involvement in public health activities during pharmacy school. Key findings: Eighty-two per cent of students responded to the survey (n = 129). The majority (95%) of all final-year student pharmacists are interested in contributing to public health activities in both health promotion and disease prevention and feel, as pharmacists, they have the responsibility to do so. Additionally, the majority of students would like more education during pharmacy school on health promotion (93%) and disease prevention (89%). Despite their interest, low numbers of student pharmacists feel that pharmacists are currently utilised in disease prevention (35%) and health promotion (42%). Conclusion: Final-year student pharmacists in Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe express strong interest in public health education and involvement in public health activities. This interest and enthusiasm can serve as evidence for advancing public health education in the pharmacy curricula and for developing pharmacist opportunities in public health efforts that match the needs of the country
Effects of prolonged dietary curcumin exposure on skeletal muscle biochemical and functional responses of aged male rats
No full textOxidative stress resulting from decreased antioxidant protection and increased reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) production may contribute to muscle mass loss and dysfunction during aging. Curcumin is a phenolic compound shown to upregulate antioxidant defenses and directly quench RONS in vivo. This study determined the impact of prolonged dietary curcumin exposure on muscle mass and function of aged rats. Thirty-two-month-old male F344xBN rats were provided a diet with or without 0.2% curcumin for 4 months. The groups included: ad libitum control (CON; n = 18); 0.2% curcumin (CUR; n = 18); and pair-fed (PAIR; n = 18) rats. CUR rats showed lower food intake compared to CON, making PAIR a suitable comparison group. CUR rats displayed larger plantaris mass and force production (vs. PAIR). Nuclear fraction levels of nuclear factor erythroid-2 related-factor-2 were greater, and oxidative macromolecule damage was lower in CUR (vs. PAIR). There were no significant differences in measures of antioxidant status between any of the groups. No difference in any measure was observed between CUR and CON rats. Thus, consumption of curcumin coupled with reduced food intake imparted beneficial effects on aged skeletal muscle. The benefit of curcumin on aging skeletal muscle should be explored further
Young and middle-aged mouse breathing behavior during the light and dark cycles
No full textUnrestrained barometric plethysmography is a common method used for characterizing breathing patterns in small animals. One source of variation between unrestrained barometric plethysmography studies is the segment of baseline. Baseline may be analyzed as a predetermined time-point, or using tailored segments when each animal is visually calm. We compared a quiet, minimally active (no sniffing/grooming) breathing segment to a predetermined time-point at 1 h for baseline measurements in young and middle-aged mice during the dark and light cycles. Additionally, we evaluated the magnitude of change for gas challenges based on these two baseline segments. C57BL/6JEiJ x C3Sn.BliA-Pde6b+/DnJ male mice underwent unrestrained barometric plethysmography with the following baselines used to determine breathing frequency, tidal volume (VT) and minute ventilation (VE): (1) 30-sec of quiet breathing and (2) a 10-min period from 50 to 60 min. Animals were also exposed to 10 min of hypoxic (10% O2, balanced N2), hypercapnic (5% CO2, balanced air) and hypoxic hypercapnic (10% O2, 5% CO2, balanced N2) gas. Both frequency and VE were higher during the predetermined 10-min baseline versus the 30-sec baseline, while VT was lower (P \u3c 0.05). However, VE/VO2 was similar between the baseline time segments (P \u3e 0.05) in an analysis of one cohort. During baseline, dark cycle testing had increased VT values versus those in the light (P \u3c 0.05). For gas challenges, both frequency and VE showed higher percent change from the 30-sec baseline compared to the predetermined 10-min baseline (P \u3c 0.05), while VT showed a greater change from the 10-min baseline (P \u3c 0.05). Dark cycle hypoxic exposure resulted in larger percent change in breathing frequency versus the light cycle (P \u3c 0.05). Overall, light and dark cycle pattern of breathing differences emerged along with differences between the 30-sec behavior observational method versus a predetermined time segment for baseline
Validation of behavioral simulations: a case study on enhancing collaboration between partnership organizations
No full textAim: The current article provides a detailed account of a behavioral simulation called Lateral Play. Lateral Play aimed to enhance collaborations and optimize shared decision-making across organizations within a newly formed partnership. The current article aims to enhance appreciation of the behavioral simulation methodology and encourage its use. Subjects and Methods: Health service leaders from different organizations within a newly formed partnership gathered in the simulated community and took up roles similar to their real-life positions. The simulation presented participants with problems and opportunities similar to those that they would experience in real life, such as the need to consolidate services and create new care pathways. To evaluate Lateral Play’s effectiveness, self-reported and observational data were collected. These data include information about participants’ reactions, learning and behavior, and the newly formed partnership’s organizational results. Results: Lateral Play allowed health leaders to better understand how they could enhance collaborations and optimize shared decision-making across their newly formed partnership. The data suggest that simulations can promote effective collaborations. Conclusions: Use of behavioral simulations should be encouraged to promote policy awareness and understanding, refine implementation strategies and improve outcomes in newly formed partnerships
The Discharge Companion Program: An Interprofessional Collaboration in Transitional Care Model Delivery
No full textTo reduce readmission rates and avoid financial penalties from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, hospitals are seeking to implement innovative transitions of care (TOC) programs. This retrospective study evaluated the Discharge Companion Program (DCP), a pharmacist- and nurse-coordinated interprofessional, collaborative TOC program. Adult patients (18 years and older) from a single hospital, discharged with at least one qualifying diagnosis, were eligible for this service. The hospital transitional care coordinator nurse referred qualified patients to the DCP nurse coordinator, who scheduled telephonic medication therapy management (MTM) reviews with the DCP pharmacist at one- and three-weeks postdischarge. Hospital records and DCP documentation were reviewed to describe respective interventions and assess the impact on 30-day readmissions. A total of 456 patients were referred to the DCP between 31 August, 2015 and 7 September, 2016. Of the 340 patients who participated (DCP group), 44 (13%) compared to 17% (n = 20) of the usual care, were readmitted within 30-days postdischarge. The DCP pharmacists conducted 1242 clinical interventions with participants, demonstrating the benefits of an interprofessional TOC model involving multiple, pharmacist-delivered MTM intervention touchpoints within 30 days post-hospital discharge
Internal Event Planning and Procedures Policy
No full textEvents such as conferences, symposiums, lectures, performances, meetings, student events, and exhibits allow University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy to showcase the work and accomplishments of the faculty, staff, students and alumni, foster a sense of community and put into action our mission to serve St. Louis and the surrounding community. These events provide a wonderful opportunity for the campus community and visitors to experience first-hand the wide range of our scholarly and cultural programming, as well as experience the beauty of the campus. By following these guidelines, we can maximize the use of University resources, avoid scheduling conflicts, promote the positive image of the University and ensure that faculty, staff, students, and guests have a memorable experience
Catalyst- and organic solvent-free synthesis of thioacids in water
No full textThioacids and thioamino acids were synthesized in excellent yields from readily available acyl benzotriazoles and sodium hydrosulfide in water at room temperature. The new methodology features mild reaction conditions, high yields, short reaction times, and does not involve the use of organic solvents or bases. The reaction is eco-friendly, and the workup procedure is simple and does not require chromatographic separation
Modifiable risk factors for prescription medicine sharing behaviours
No full textDepending on the circumstances, non-recreational, prescription medicine sharing can have positive or negative consequences. An online survey of adults was conducted to examine the extent and underlying behavioural factors predicting prescription medicine sharing behaviours. Using principal component analysis and multivariate regression analysis, several modifiable risk factors for medicine lending and borrowing behaviours were identified. The findings expand the current knowledge of medicine sharing predictors and can be used to inform the development of interventions to address problems associated with medicine sharing practices
Institutional factors associated with global health education across US pharmacy schools
No full textIntroduction: The objective of this study is to explore the relationship between institutional factors and offerings of global health education opportunities in pharmacy schools. Methods: Data for this project came from a review of international advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs) and global course offerings for US pharmacy schools conducted between February 1 and March 31, 2014. These data were merged with data on institutional factors which may influence a school\u27s offering of APPEs or courses. Institutional factors included tuition, class size, academic medical center affiliation, year established, and others. Multivariable regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between individual institutional factors and APPEs and global courses. Results: In multivariable adjusted models, older and more established schools had a larger percent of the graduating class with an international APPE (9.5% vs. 2.6%, p \u3c 0.01) and a larger number of international APPEs (3.8 vs. 1.4, p \u3c 0.01) than schools founded after 1980. Schools with higher tuition (\u3e$25,000/year) had, on average, a larger percent of their graduating class with an international APPE (7.9% vs. 3.1%, p \u3c 0.05), a larger number of international APPEs (3.7 vs. 1.5, p \u3c 0.01), and more interprofessional international APPEs (3.1 vs. 0.7, p \u3c 0.001). There were more course offerings at older schools (1.1 vs. 0.4, p \u3c 0.05) and those with higher tuition (1.3 vs. 0.4, p \u3c 0.01). Conclusions: More established schools and those with higher tuition appeared to have more robust global offerings. Schools can consider local opportunities to provide global experiential and didactic experiences, which may reduce the financial burden of global programs
Perspective piece: Connecting rural and global health education for workforce development
No full textHealthcare workforce shortages are continuing to increase worldwide with more profound deficits seen in rural communities in both developed and developing countries. These deficits impede progress towards heath equity and global health initiatives including the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Medical training has supported the idea that having a rural background influences future practice in rural settings. With a majority of global health experiences taking place in rural settings, there is an opportunity for health profession programs to take advantage of expanding global health education to encourage future practice in rural settings and address inequalities in workforce distribution