Objective. To determine the impact of a faculty-directed, residency interest group on the knowledge, confidence, and preparedness about residency-related topics of third-year (P3) and fourth-year (P4) pharmacy students. Design. Faculty members implemented residency interest group sessions on residency and career preparation for P3 and P4 students. Group meetings consisted of four 2-to 3-hour sessions that covered topics such as residency timeline and resources, letter of intent and CV development, proper interview techniques, and navigating the midyear clinical meeting. Residency directors throughout Mississippi, current pharmacy residents, P3 and P4 students, and other faculty members were invited to attend these sessions. Assessment. Surveys were administered prior to and after completion of the interest group sessions. Students who attended the sessions demonstrated increased knowledge, confidence, and preparedness on residency-related topics. However, non-attendees also demonstrated increased knowledge, confidence, and preparedness from baseline. Conclusion. The majority of students who accepted a residency position had attended at least 1 residency interest group session, suggesting this program had a positive influence.
What is known on this topic? The Mississippi Delta has high rates of chronic disease and is known for its poor health outcomes and health disparities. Medication therapy management (MTM) improves the safe and effective use of medications, and ensuring appropriate medication use can improve clinical outcomes related to cardiovascular disease (CVD). What does this research add to the literature? Pharmacists met face-to-face in federally qualified health centers with patients who had a diagnosis of diabetes, hypertension, and/or dyslipidemia to provide MTM. Patients experienced mean reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and hemoglobin A 1c. What are the implications for public health practice? MTM is an effective way to improve CVD outcomes in residents of regions like the Mississippi Delta that have high rates of poverty, health disparities, and poor health outcomes.
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