Congratulations to all four of our Defining the Future grant recipients who have had abstracts accepted for the CPNP 2020 Annual Meeting! The four researchers will present their posters at a scientific poster sessions on Monday, April 27 or Tuesday, April 28. A special congratulations to Grace Marielle Singson who is an award finalist for the CPNP Foundation Strategic Goals Award! You can attend Grace’s platform presentation on Monday, April 27 at 3:00 PM in Cumberland J of the Hyatt Regency Dallas.
Josiah Allen, Pharmacy Student, University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy: “Determining Core Elements of Patient Pharmacogenomic Literacy”
Pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing is increasingly entering psychiatric practice, buoyed by interest from patients and providers alike. Meanwhile, patients’ knowledge of pharmacogenetic concepts remains a barrier to implementation. Disease risk genomics research indicates that individuals with greater genomic literacy are better equipped to make informed decisions about whether to obtain genetic testing, understand results, and take appropriate action. While researchers have created survey instruments to evaluate disease risk genomic literacy, no validated pharmacogenomic literacy assessments currently exist. We intend to create a psychometrically validated knowledge assessment that may be used to evaluate patient understanding of core PGx concepts prior to undergoing testing or return of results. This work in progress describes the first steps in this process: understanding patients’ experience with pharmacogenomics as identified via literature review and patient focus groups.
Nam Le, Pharmacy Student, Wingate University Levine College of Health Sciences: “Comparing Student Pharmacist and Pharmacist Perceived Role in Depression Screening and Suicide Prevention”
To determine student pharmacist and pharmacist perceived role in depression screenings and suicide prevention using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Specifically, the study will identify the perceived role of the community pharmacist in mental health screenings and compare student pharmacist perceptions to identify similarities or discrepancies. Previously, 79% of first-year student pharmacists at the study institution reported that it was a professional responsibility to assess a patient’s mental health while only 12% of licensed pharmacists viewed this as a professional responsibility. This study will elucidate a better understanding of this discrepancy and enable the researchers to develop an appropriate response.
Jessica Liszka, PharmD, PGY2 Psychiatric Pharmacy Resident, W. G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center: “Implementation of Video Telehealth Clinical Pharmacy Services in a Mental Health Intensive Case Management (MHICM) Program at a VA Health Care System (VAHCS)”
Mental Health Intensive Case Management (MHICM) teams provide care to Veterans who are appropriate to receive services in the outpatient setting but have severe mental illness (SMI), significant functional impairment, and high inpatient psychiatric resource use. The interdisciplinary MHICM program at this VA Health Care System (VAHCS) does not currently include clinical pharmacy services. Evidence supports the positive impact of pharmacist services, including comprehensive medication management (CMM), on patient outcomes by optimizing pharmacotherapy and decreasing adverse effects. In addition, the utilization of telehealth services in the community and the VA has increased patient access and improved health care outcomes. This project aims to combine the above interventions, incorporating clinical pharmacy services via video telehealth into the MHICM program at this VAHCS, and evaluate the outcomes on medication management of patients enrolled in the program.
Grace Marielle Singson, Pharmacy Student, University of Southern California School of Pharmacy: “Assessing Mental Health and LGBTQ+ Care Knowledge of USC School of Pharmacy Students”
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals continue to demonstrate health disparities despite an increase in visibility in recent years. This study assessed the perception and knowledge of pharmacy students on providing care for LGBTQ+ patients and mental health.