As the number of international advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs) continues to grow, this is an opportunity to incorporate intercultural learning (ICL) to further advance student pharmacist training. Purdue University student pharmacists participated in a clinical research focused APPE in London, England. To prepare for this APPE, students completed a one-credit course focused on intercultural learning and travel preparation. The purpose of this report is to describe the implementation and assessment of ICL during this course and international APPE. The course includes interactive ICL activities, reflective assignments, and personalized assessments. During the eight-week APPE, student pharmacists worked on an individualized Intercultural Development Plan®, which includes ICL activities, focused reflection, and check-ins. ICL was assessed using the Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI®) at the beginning of the course and at least four weeks after APPE completion. Student APPE feedback was also reviewed for evidence of ICL. Twenty-seven students completed the course and APPE from 2018 to 2020. The average IDI developmental orientation (DO) before the course was 91.7, placing students in minimization. The average perceived orientation was 120.9, placing students in acceptance. There were 18 students who completed the post-APPE IDI: 12 students demonstrated growth in the DO (range: 1.5–23.72), and six students experienced a decrease in their DO. Intercultural learning can be implemented and assessed as part of an international APPE.
In April 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the number of visits to ambulatory care practices and was reported to have declined by nearly 60%. The extent of this decline is alarming as outpatient visits help manage chronic diseases in patients, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. This trend sparked an interest in pharmacist and student pharmacist, Dr. Cynthia Koh-Knox Sharp and Stephanie Hendricks, respectively, as it offered an opportunity to help serve the Greater Lafayette community. We created Health to the Power of You (HealthYou), which targets two of Lafayette’s neglected populations: community members experiencing homelessness, and members that are 62 years and older living in section 8 housing. Our community health initiative is currently in two facilities, Fairington Apartments of Lafayette and Lafayette Transitional Housing Center, and funded by the Purdue Student Service-Learning Program for Community Service Grant. Student pharmacists conduct weekly home visits and document trends in blood pressure, blood sugars, and blood oxygen levels, as well as facilitate a tobacco cessation program. Additionally, residents are provided health education from a list of 15 health topics, where they select up to three topics to learn over the course of nine weeks. These include, but are not limited to, education on their medications and disease states, vaccines, nutrition, prescription medication insurance, and current events such as COVID-19. Since inception, the program has offered student pharmacists the chance to bridge gaps in transitions of care, assist in the decline of outpatient visits, practice patient-friendly terminology, and motivate patients to take responsibility of their own health. Through this community health initiative, we are mentoring student pharmacists and empowering members of the community to become their biggest healthcare advocates through patient-care services and education.
Purdue University College of Pharmacy offers an international advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) in London, England, where student pharmacists have the opportunity to work with pharmacy specialists at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted travel across the world and created the need to transition this experience from in-person to virtual. Virtual interaction with international preceptors and revised research and clinical activities can provide students with a valuable learning experience.
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