A Scoping Review of Student Pharmacist-Led Transitions-of-Care Initiatives

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Education
• Patient Care Management
• Health Systems Science

Background:

• Transitions-of-care (TOC) services are crucial for patient safety and continuity of care.
• Student pharmacists are increasingly involved in healthcare delivery, including TOC initiatives.
• Evaluating the impact and scope of student-led TOC is essential for optimizing pharmacy education and practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and assess existing literature on student pharmacist-led TOC initiatives.
• To provide insights for pharmacy educators on the current and future roles of student pharmacists in TOC.
• To inform curriculum development for enhanced pharmacy learner preparation in TOC.

Main Methods:

• A literature search was conducted to identify studies on student-led TOC initiatives.
• Included studies focused on transitions to inpatient and from inpatient to outpatient settings.
• Data extraction focused on services provided, student roles, and evaluated outcomes.

Main Results:

• Fourteen articles were identified, detailing student-led TOC services, primarily during advanced or introductory pharmacy practice experiences.
• Common student activities included admission medication history and reconciliation.
• Impact evaluation focused on medication-related problems, interventions, and discrepancies, with mixed results on patient-centered outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Student pharmacists play a significant role in delivering and leading TOC services, benefiting both patient care and their professional development.
• These initiatives demonstrate added value to patient care and health systems.
• Pharmacy schools should embed TOC learning experiences into curricula to prepare students for seamless care transitions and promote health system continuity.