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Annually, the CPNP Foundation supports the Defining the Future grant program which is designed specifically for students/CPNP student chapters, residents, and fellows interested in psychiatric and neurologic pharmacy. This grant program provides an excellent, ongoing opportunity to receive funding to support innovative and cutting-edge research that will impact the care of patients into the future.

Read on as our 2016-17 Defining the Future grant recipients share more about their projects, their experience at CPNP 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona, and what they learned from participating in the grant process.

Andrew Kluemper, PharmD, University of Colorado Health & Anschutz and Lowry Internal Medicine Clinics, “Effect of Primary Care Provider Stigma on Appropriate PHQ-9 Administration .”

Our study focused on the impact of provider stigma on depression management practices, specifically, PHQ-9 administration rates. We are still collecting data surrounding this relationship and hope to have results in July. So far, our preliminary survey results indicate that stigma varies among provider subgroups and that the “social distance” stigma domain likely plays less of a role in stigma related to depression versus mental illness as a whole.

From this experience, I learned the importance of persevering through obstacles and staying curious. This opportunity greatly improved my writing skills, provided me with additional leadership experience, and has advanced my interest in both research and academia. Of course, I wouldn’t be here without the help of my amazing mentors, as well as my outstanding research team. I am so grateful for the opportunity to perform meaningful research that has taught me a variety of skills! Thank you to my research team, mentors, and the CPNP Foundation for this privilege!

Jenni Ladutko, PharmD, Veterans Administration Salt Lake City Healthcare System, “Implementation of a PolyphArmacy Clinic in Vulnerable Elders (PAVE Clinic) Within an Integrated Patient Aligned Care Team .”

With the support of CPNPF, I have been able to integrate a polypharmacy clinic within primary care to provide comprehensive medication management to our elderly Veterans.  The Defining the Future Grant and the Strategic Goals award have inspired me to critically identify the need for services and to continue developing programs to address potential gaps in care.

This is my first year working with CPNP, and I value the efforts to encourage students and residents to engage in research to improve patient care.  I have gained invaluable experiences through submitting an abstract, the peer review process, and then presenting the findings via a platform and poster presentation.  I hope to continue to be an active member of CPNP and work to continue to provide high quality care to patients with mental health and neurologic disorders. 

Samantha Themas, PharmD, Memorial Outpatient Behavioral Health Center, “Effect of Clinical Pharmacy Specialist Intervention on Metabolic Markers in Patients Receiving Long-acting Antipsychotic Injections. 

Our project is still in progress but we have observed favorable trends in metabolic parameters and recidivism rates following implementation of the clinical pharmacist specialist coordinated long acting therapy clinic. We anticipate the benefits of pharmacist intervention to continue to become more prominent as our study progresses.

As a Defining the Future Grant recipient, I learned how to overcome barriers and implement a multidisciplinary clinic to improve health outcomes in patients with serious mental illness. I also had the opportunity to enhance my clinical skills and practice as a well-rounded clinician. I would encourage any resident interested in pursuing a clinical position in psychiatric pharmacy to apply for this grant in the future.

Tu Vuong, PharmD student from University of Southern California, “Incorporating Clinical Pharmacy Service into Depression Management at a Primary Care Clinic. 

Our project's goal is to implement clinical pharmacy into interdisciplinary depression care for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients at a clinic. Literature research and our preliminary chart reviews showed that RA patients were likely to develop depression due to the high percentage of women in RA population and their chronic pain. Our implementation will improve quality of care in the clinic setting and may aid the treatment of physical function for RA patients. Our work is still in progress, and we will present updated data at CPNP 2018. 

As third year pharmacy students, my partner, Hao Dieu, and I were nervous but thrilled when we received CPNP Foundation grant and became one of the platform presentation award finalists. At the conference, we were thankful for networking opportunities during the student programs, small group discussions and mentorship program. Also, we received constructive feedback from different experienced practitioners about our implementation project.

We really appreciate the generosity from CPNP Foundation in supporting our research. The project is one of our most challenging yet fulfilling experiences during pharmacy school. This gives us opportunities to think outside the box, improve our presentation skills and sharpen our problem-solving ability.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2017 Defining the Future grant program. To be considered, the complete application must be submitted using the Foundation online application process by the August 31, 2017 deadline. Grantees will be required to obtain IRB approval prior to starting their project. Grantees will also be required to submit their research for abstract consideration and, if selected, present their research results as a poster at the 2018 CPNP Annual Meeting to be held April 22-25 at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis, Indiana. Award recipients will be notified by October 1, 2016.

To make a donation to support these grants, please visit cpnpf.org/pledge

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