Pharmacy student involvement in a transition of care program

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Practice
• Medical Education
• Public Health

Background:

• Cape Fear Valley Medical Center established a Community Paramedic Program (CPP) to enhance post-discharge patient care at home.
• Paramedics in the CPP conduct 30-day home visits for eligible patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe pharmacy student contributions to the CPP, focusing on Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPE).
• To evaluate drug-related problems (DRP) identified and patient education delivered by students during home visits.

Main Methods:

• Pharmacy students received CPP orientation and training in patient interview techniques.
• A standardized form was used to document DRPs and patient education.
• Outcomes included DRP types, education provided, and comparison to standard care.

Main Results:

• Eleven students visited 124 patients, identifying 145 DRPs.
• Common DRPs involved medication continuation/discontinuation issues and medication safety.
• Students provided an average of one medication use counseling session per patient.

Conclusions:

• Student participation in the CPP enhances patient education and medication re-assessment during home visits.
• This program serves as a unique teaching platform, developing students' critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Student involvement extends care and provides valuable professional development opportunities.