(1) Background: The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate current and potential roles for pharmacists in sports medicine and to identify key themes in outcomes reported in studies. (2) Methods: EMBASE, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus and the Cochrane Library were searched in January 2019. Peer-reviewed, original research articles were considered for inclusion. Articles published in a language other than English were excluded. Quality appraisal was performed independently by two authors. (3) Results: Findings of 11 eligible articles (10 observational and 1 experimental study design) were grouped into three themes: (i) doping prevention and control, (ii) injury management and first aid, and (iii) educational and curricular needs. Pharmacists were perceived as a good potential source of information about doping and are enthusiastic about counseling athletes, but lack knowledge and confidence in this area. While pharmacists were frequently consulted for advice on managing sprains and strains, their advice was not always guided by current evidence. Pharmacists and pharmacy students recalled limited opportunity for education in sports pharmacy. (4) Conclusion: Pharmacists showed a willingness and an aptitude to counsel athletes. However, lack of knowledge and confidence, and limited educational opportunities, were key barriers. More research is necessary to support pharmacists in this role.

Creating engaging learning experiences that are easy to use and support the different learning requirements of university students is challenging. However, improvements in simulation technologies, such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), are making such changes possible. The aim of this study is to use a mobile-based AR technology to develop an interactive learning module about contraceptive devices and medicines and to measure its acceptability and usability by undergraduate pharmacy students. The learning module comprising AR images of contraceptive medicines, case studies relating to their use and a series of directed questions was completed by 33 pharmacy students. Students answered a survey to collect information about the usability and acceptability of AR for learning. The results show that the majority of students reported that AR is a useful resource for learning about medicines compared to more traditional methods, such as didactic lectures and tutorials. Students indicated that the AR application was easy to use and improved their knowledge of medicines. These findings suggest that AR technology is a useful tool to create engaging and easy to use learning experiences for university students.

Background. There are numerous approaches to simulating a patient encounter in pharmacy education. However, little direct comparison between these approaches has been undertaken. Our objective was to investigate student experiences, satisfaction, and feedback preferences between three scenario simulation modalities (paper-, actor-, and computer-based). Methods. We conducted a mixed methods study with randomized cross-over of simulation modalities on final-year Australian graduate-entry Master of Pharmacy students. Participants completed case-based scenarios within each of three simulation modalities, with feedback provided at the completion of each scenario in a format corresponding to each simulation modality. A post-simulation questionnaire collected qualitative and quantitative responses pertaining to participant satisfaction, experiences, and feedback preferences. Results. Participants reported similar levels satisfaction across all three modalities. However, each modality resulted in unique positive and negative experiences, such as student disengagement with paper-based scenarios. Conclusion. Importantly, the themes of guidance and opportunity for peer discussion underlie the best forms of feedback for students. The provision of feedback following simulation should be carefully considered and delivered, with all three simulation modalities producing both positive and negative experiences in regard to their feedback format.

Clinic- and hospital-based home care describes models of care where services commonly associated with hospital inpatient care are provided at the patient’s home or in an outpatient or community-based clinic. Hospital in the Home (HITH), also termed Hospital at Home (HaH) in parts of Europe and America, is a common and important example of this type of care. Other examples include infusion centers, skilled nursing facilities (particularly in the USA), self-administration models (including home infusion services) and administration through outpatient or community clinics. Different models of HITH care are used internationally and these encompass a wide range of services. Medication administration, particularly outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT), is an important element in many of these models of care. There is a key role for pharmacists since the provision of medication is integral in this model of patient care outside the hospital setting. Data on the growing importance of HITH and OPAT as well as the administration of medications suited to clinic- and hospital-based home care, including subcutaneous and intramuscular injectables, immunoglobulins and other blood fractions, cancer chemotherapy, total parenteral nutrition, biologicals/biosimilars, vasopressors and enzymes, using differing service models, are described. The pharmacist’s role is evolving from that involved primarily with dose preparation and supply of medications. Their clinical expertise in medication management ensures that they are an integral member and leader in these models of care. Their role ensures the safe and quality use of medicines, particularly across transitions of care, with the pharmacist taking on the roles of educator and consultant to patients and health professional colleagues. Activities such as antimicrobial stewardship and ongoing monitoring of patients and outcomes is fundamental to ensure quality patient outcomes in these settings.

Context: Desvenlafaxine is used to treat major depression. Desvenlafaxine is also the active metabolite of venlafaxine. Venlafaxine overdose can cause serotonin toxicity, seizures and cardiovascular effects, but there is limited information on desvenlafaxine overdose. Objective: We aimed at investigating the clinical effects and complications from desvenlafaxine overdose. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective observational study of desvenlafaxine overdoses over a six-year period. Demographic details, dose and timing of the overdose, together with clinical effects, treatment and complications were extracted from a local hospital network database or the medical records of patients following hospital admission with a desvenlafaxine overdose. Results: There were 182 cases of desvenlafaxine overdose included in the study. From the 182 cases, 75 were desvenlafaxine (± alcohol) only ingestions and 107 included one or more co-ingested drugs. In single-agent desvenlafaxine ingestions, median age was 25 years (range: 13–68 years) with a median ingested dose of 800 mg (range: 250–3500 mg; interquartile range (IQR): 600–1400 mg), and 54/75 (72%) were female. The Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) was 15 in 68/74 (92%) patients, 13–14 in 5/74 (7%), and was seven in one patient following aspiration. Mild hypertension (systolic blood pressure [BP] > 140–180 mmHg) occurred in 23/71 patients (32%), and tachycardia occurred in 29/74 (39%) patients. There were no abnormal QT intervals and no QRS >120 m s. Serotonin toxicity was diagnosed by the treating physician in 7/75 (9%) patients, but only one of these met the Hunter Serotonin Toxicity Criteria. None of the 75 patients who took desvenlafaxine only (± alcohol) had seizures, were admitted to intensive care or died. In comparison, the 107 patients taking desvenlafaxine in overdose with other medications developed more pronounced toxicity. Generalised seizures occurred in 5/107 (5%), but in three of these cases co-ingestants were possible proconvulsants. Fifteen patients had a GCS ≤9 and none had an abnormal QT or QRS. Severe effects appeared to be associated with coingestants. Conclusion: Desvenlafaxine overdose causes minor effects with mild hypertension and tachycardia. The risk of seizures or serotonin toxicity is low.