Introduction: Appropriate management of chronic diseases, including proper use of medications, can lead to better disease control, decrease disease-related complications, and improve overall health. Pharmacists have been shown to positively affect chronic disease outcomes through medication therapy management (MTM). The primary objectives of this project are to increase the number of patients with (1) A1c in control and (2) blood pressure in control; secondary objectives are to (3) describe number and type of medication-related problems identified and resolved by pharmacists providing MTM in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), (4) identify potential (pADEs) and actual adverse drug events (ADEs), and refer patients to diabetes self-management education classes, as needed. Methods: This multisite, prospective, descriptive pilot study engaged three FQHC sites with distinct models of established pharmacist MTM services to care for patients with uncontrolled diabetes and/or hypertension. Data were reported in aggregate regarding primary and secondary outcomes. Results: As of December 2015, 706 patients were enrolled in the project. Of the 422 with uncontrolled diabetes, 52.84% (n = 223) had an A1c <9%; 72 patients (17.06%) achieved an A1c between 8% and 9%, 19.19% (n = 81) of patients achieved an A1c <8% and ≥7%, and 16.59% (n = 70) of patients achieved an A1c <7%. The percentage of patients with blood pressure <140/90 mm Hg improved to 65.21%. Conclusion: Pharmacist-provided MTM can improve chronic disease intermediate outcomes for medically underserved patients in FQHCs.

Preventing Chronic Disease (PCD) is a peer-reviewed electronic journal established by the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. PCD provides an open exchange of information and knowledge among researchers, practitioners, policy makers, and others who strive to improve the health of the public through chronic disease prevention.

Adult vaccination rates in the United States are well below recommendations with disparities in race, ethnicity, and education level resulting in even lower rates for these populations. This study aimed to identify the barriers to and perceptions of immunizations in adults in an urban, underserved, multicultural community. Understanding the factors that influence adults’ decisions to receive routinely recommended vaccines will aid health care providers and public health officials to design programs to improve vaccination rates. This cross-sectional, survey-based study was conducted in January 2014 in Columbus, Ohio. Participants were recruited from four urban federally-qualified health centers and four grocery stores affiliated with those clinics. The survey gathered self-reported receipt of immunizations, knowledge about indications for immunizations, and factors influencing decisions to receive an immunization. Data was analyzed in 2014. Descriptive statistics were generated for all survey items and Chi-Square or Fisher’s Exact tests were used as appropriate to test for associations between demographic characteristics and factors influencing immunization decisions. The top five factors likely to affect the decision to receive an immunization among the 304 respondents were: “doctor’s recommendation” (80.6 %), “knowing why I should get a vaccine” (78.2 %), “knowing which vaccines I need” (75.5 %), cost (54.2 %), and “concern about getting sick if I get a vaccine” (54.0 %). Significant differences in factors influencing the immunization decision exist among respondents based on ethnicity and education level. For those participants with self-identified diabetes, heart disease, or asthma, less than half were aware that certain immunizations could reduce the risk of complications associated with their disease(s). Data from this study may inform and shape patient education programs conducted in clinics, retailers, and communities, as well as advocacy efforts for adult immunizations. Results from this study suggest that patients would respond to programs for promoting vaccine uptake if they focused on benefits and indications for vaccines. The results also highlighted the need for education regarding immunizations for patients with chronic diseases and special indications. The differences in perceptions found between groups can be used to create targeted interventions based on the needs of those patient populations.

The purpose of this study was to identify medication adherence for patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) referred to an interdisciplinary HCV education and monitoring service, evaluate changes in quality of life (QOL) and medication adherence during the first 3 months of HCV therapy, and determine relationships between adherence and QOL. Patients completed an initial survey before initiating the therapy evaluating medication adherence and QOL. They then received a structured training on HCV medications and monthly monitoring phone call from a pharmacist throughout the therapy. After 3 months of treatment, a follow-up survey was conducted to evaluate adherence, satisfaction, and QOL. Medication adherence was also assessed via patient self-report during follow-up phone calls. Patients expressed satisfaction with the care provided by the pharmacist and nurse practitioner individually and working collaboratively during their HCV therapy. Patients reported taking 99.8% of total interferon and ribavirin doses during the first 3 months of the therapy. Patients who indicated that they sometimes stopped taking medication when they felt worse had higher median aggregate physical functioning scores (p = .04) and those with no comorbidities found dosage times more inconvenient than those with at least one comorbidity (p = .046). Patients in a pharmacist-run HCV education service have high self-reported adherence rates and are satisfied with the interdisciplinary model of care. Quality of life may be associated with adherence; higher functioning, healthier patients may be more likely to stop taking HCV medications owing to side effects or inconvenience.

An innovative program to help pharmacy students navigate the residency application and interview process is described, including results of a survey evaluating the program's impact. The Ohio State University (OSU) chapter of the Student Society of Health-System Pharmacy (SSHP) collaborated with OSU College of Pharmacy faculty members, pharmacists from OSU Wexner Medical Center and surrounding areas, and current pharmacy residents to provide programming to equip pharmacy students with skills to succeed as residency candidates. The programming has four components: Curriculum Vitae (CV) Critique, Mock Residency Interviews, Residency 101, and Midyear to Match (M-M), a six-part series that provides guidance on the Residency Showcase at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Midyear Clinical Meeting, Match day (the annual matching process coordinated by ASHP), and the post-Match "scramble," in which unmatched applicants compete for unfilled residency slots. In an online survey conducted by the SSHP chapter after the 2012-13 residency year, 26 of 57 survey respondents indicated they had pursued a residency. Twenty respondents reported success in the Match (a rate 15% higher than the national average), with 9 reporting acceptance by their first-choice residency site. The mock interview program was rated as the most useful (a mean score of 4.8 on a 5-point scale), followed by the M-M series (mean score, 4.6). Collaborative programming coordinated by the OSU chapter of SSHP was offered to pharmacy students to improve preparation for the residency application and interview process. The program was well received by participants.