Residents and Fellows Research in Progress
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
08:30 AM–10:00 AM
Abstract
Introduction:
The “policy-action continuum” represents the interplay of opportunity created by change in policy in a defined area and the degree to which the policy is actualized into practice to create the public benefit intended by the policy change. In pharmacy significant attention has been directed to expanding scope of practice through regulatory change and creating clinical program revenue streams via payer policy change. Limited research has been conducted on the practice portion of the policy-action continuum to determine the degree to which adaptation has occurred to fulfill the potential benefit created by policy change.
Research Question or Hypothesis:
What is the degree of change in pharmacy practice observed post adoption of practice or payment policy change intended to reduce barriers to patient care service delivery?
Study Design:
Key-informant surveys within regions of the U.S. in which scope of practice and/or payment policy change related to pharmacist services in the outpatient setting has occurred within the past 5 years.
Methods:
A national database tracking practice-related policy change will be used to identify a nationally distributed set of states for survey distribution. Key informants will include leaders affiliated with state pharmacy associations, boards of pharmacy, schools of pharmacy and practice leaders. Survey design will include 1) screening respondents based on key informant criteria, 2) response logic that presents respondents with known policy change adopted in their respective region, 3) evaluation (Likert scale statements and open-ended questions) of observations of practice change.
Summarization of survey results via descriptive statistics. Exploration of regional and/or policy-related trends secondary to respondent observations.
Results:
N/A – research in progress.
Conclusion:
Findings will inform the degree to which the profession is engaged across the policy-action continuum. Results may highlight the need for increased focus on practice implementation supports to accelerate adaptation secondary to policy change.
Presenting Author
Ameer El-Afandi PharmDUniversity of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Authors
Todd Sorensen Pharm.D.
University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy
Sarah Westberg Pharm.D., BCPS
University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy