Establishing interprofessional clinical learning experiences in primary care safety-net sites

This paper describes an interprofessional clinical learning experience for students within two primary care safety-net sites. An interprofessional team of faculty at one university partnered with two safety-net systems to provide students opportunities to work in an interprofessional team providing care for socially and medically complex patients. Our evaluation outcomes are student-centered, focusing on students' perceptions of caring for medically underserved populations and satisfaction with the clinical experience. Students reported positive perceptions of the interprofessional team, clinical experience, primary care, and caring for underserved populations. Strategic development of partnerships between academic and safety-net systems to offer learning opportunities can increase future healthcare providers' exposure and appreciation for interprofessional care of underserved populations.

Incorporating a diabetes certificate program in a pharmacy curriculum

OBJECTIVE

To determine student competency and confidence in the provision of diabetes care and satisfaction with incorporation of the American Pharmacist Association/American Association of Diabetes Educators (APhA/AADE) diabetes certificate program into the required doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) curriculum.

DESIGN

Material from the diabetes certificate program was incorporated longitudinally into the third-year curriculum skills laboratory courses. Educational techniques used included self-study modules with case questions, lectures using the program's slides and live seminar materials, and active-learning techniques including instructor-led modeling and role-playing exercises, small group activities, objective structured learning exercises (OSLE) using standardized patients, and a week-long diabetes simulation.

EVALUATION

Students achieved a 100% pass rate on a diabetes certificate program examination and earned a mean score of 71.8 out of 100 points on a medication therapy management (MTM) objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). A student survey demonstrated high student confidence in their ability to provide diabetes care (mean scores 4.2 to 4.8) and satisfaction with the program (mean scores 4.5 to 4.8).

CONCLUSION

Longitudinal integration of a nationally recognized diabetes certificate program into the required PharmD curriculum produced satisfied students competent in providing diabetes pharmaceutical care.

Video medical interpretation over 3G cellular networks: a feasibility study

OBJECTIVE

To test the feasibility of using cell phone technology to provide video medical interpretation services at a distance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Alternative cell phone services were researched and videoconferencing technologies were tried out to identify video products and telecommunication services needed to meet video medical interpretation requirements. The video and telecommunication technologies were tried out in a pharmacy setting and compared with use of the telephone.

RESULTS

Outcomes were similar to findings in previous research involving video medical interpretation with higher bandwidth and video quality. Patients appreciated the interpretation service no matter how it is provided, while health providers and interpreters preferred video.

CONCLUSION

It is possible to provide video medical interpretation services via cellular communication using lower bandwidth videoconferencing technology that provides sufficient quality, at least in pharmacy settings. However, a number of issues need to be addressed to ensure quality of service.

Diabetes patient education

Not all medical practices are equipped to provide diabetes self-management training. Physicians can incorporate a team approach in their practice by establishing collaborative relationships with recognized diabetes education programs. The ADA's education recognition program has identified diabetes education programs that meet the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education Programs. This list is available on the ADA's web site at http://www.diabetes.org/recognition and is printed twice a year in Diabetes Forecast. The National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators (NDEA) can provide a list of CDEs in your area. The South Carolina Model Diabetes Patient Education Program of DSC and SCDCP/DHEC is an excellent critical step towards obtaining ADA recognition.

Effects of home bleaching on the tissues of the oral cavity

Eight subjects used a 10 per cent carbamide peroxide (Opalesence) home bleaching system in a mouthguard for 14 nights. Their periodontal health was assessed by measuring gingival crevicular fluid flow with a Periotron 6000, and subjects were given a questionnaire to assess the effects of the bleaching system. There was no significant change in the gingival crevicular fluid flow, recession, bleeding index or plaque index of any patient during the treatment phase. All treated teeth were lightened, and mild transient tooth sensitivity was common to all participants. One subject experienced internal tooth discoloration, possibly due to marginal leakage around an amalgam restoration.