ACCP’s Spring Practice and Research Forum has something for everyone! The core of the Spring Forum will consist of four educational curricular tracks. In addition, PRN-developed focus sessions and scientific poster presentations will provide the latest in a variety of therapeutic topics. For one registration fee, attendees will gain access to both the Spring Forum and the acclaimed Updates in Therapeutics: The Pharmacotherapy Preparatory Course. The 2010 meeting will be held April 23–27 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The 2010 curricular tracks will span topics from pharmacogenomics at the bedside to contemporary vaccine controversies. Choose from the following four tracks:

• Research and Scholarship Curricular Track—Research and the Clinical Pharmacist in 2010
• Leadership and Management Curricular Track—Transitioning Through Your Career
• Teaching and Learning Curricular Track—Trends and Innovations in Pharmacy Student and Resident Education
• Clinical Practice Curricular Track—Hot Topics in Clinical Practice

Curricular track program one, “Research and the Clinical Pharmacist in 2010,” will open with a look at pharmacogenomics and applications in the real world. This session will familiarize attendees with the ways in which pharmacogenomics research is applied in clinical practice, including the use of such research in preemptive treatment. A panel of experts will present case-based applications of pharmacogenetics in oncology, anticoagulation therapy, HIV management, and cardiovascular therapy. Session 2 of this curricular track will provide participants with an overview of practical issues related to conducting pharmacogenomics research in a practice-based environment, such as a PBRN. Faculty will identify and discuss the statistical issues faced in conducting pharmacogenomics research in a practice-based environment, as well as the pros and cons of different study designs. Session 3 will address the unique challenges in conducting research on rare outcomes, particularly in studying adverse events associated with drug therapies. Faculty will discuss the use of large databases to study adverse drug events and provide case-based examples of pharmacoepidemiologic research projects that exemplify these considerations. The curricular track will wrap up with discussions on the need for clinical scientists within the profession of pharmacy. Attendees will learn about research and training opportunities within the National Institutes of Health and receive guidance on developing a research portfolio. The program faculty will review different models of research in both academic and nonacademic clinical settings.

Curricular track program two, “Transitioning Through Your Career,” has been developed to provide successful strategies for transitioning into leadership or management roles. Session 1 of this curricular track will focus on common mistakes that can lead to problems when transitioning from the role of colleague to that of supervisor/administrator. Session 2 will examine how to effectively move into a senior employee role within an institutional/organizational department or college of pharmacy. The first part of this session will focus on developing management skills, especially for those without prior management training. The program speakers will then describe specific strategies for making a successful transition to a supervisory role, followed by a panel discussion with the audience. Session 3 will explore successful practice site transitions, including transitions for practitioners who have successfully transitioned from one practice site to another (academia to community or vice versa). This curricular track will conclude with presentations focusing on real-life experiences in administrative positions, including discussions of perspectives gained through the transition to a leadership or management role.

Curricular track program three, “Trends and Innovations in Pharmacy Student and Resident Education,” will provide participants updates in the latest teaching/learning styles and strategies for enhancing student engagement and learning. Session 1 of this curricular track will focus on classroom teaching and techniques that can enhance and diversify teaching methods used in the contemporary pharmacy classroom. Session 2 will explore interprofessional education, laying the foundation with information on the description and role of interdisciplinary education, including benefits and challenges. The program faculty will also provide tips and strategies for incorporating interprofessional learning into specific settings, including experiential rotations. Session 3 will examine various models of pharmacy residency-training programs, including nontraditional pharmacy residency programs and those patterned after the medical model. Faculty will discuss the benefits and challenges encountered when developing new or expanded residency sites. Session 4 will focus on the development and implementation of pharmacy tracks in both student and resident education. Faculty will provide examples of such programs, with a focus on track development as well as strategies to avoid potential problems in this arena.

Curricular track program four, “Hot Topics in Clinical Practice,” will showcase several current controversies in clinical pharmacy. Faculty in session 1 will provide an update of recently approved anticonvulsants and discuss their potential roles in therapy. The controversies associated with the generic substitution of anticonvulsants will also be discussed. Session 2 will explore the controversies of adult and pediatric vaccine schedules. Faculty will debate the pros and cons of the vaccine schedules and the possible consequences of the vaccines themselves. Session 3 will debate another hot topic—the controversies of blood glucose management in the acute care setting. Faculty will discuss the pros and cons and provide direction with respect to when pharmacotherapy should be administered and how treatment should be adjusted through the continuum of care. This curricular track will conclude with session 4, focusing on the prevention of stress-related mucosal bleeding in critically ill patients. Faculty will define the populations at risk of stress-related mucosal bleeding, the extent of the risk, and the outcomes to be sought in relevant studies. Participants will receive an update on the effectiveness of the treatment options and on the potential for overuse of pharmacotherapy in the prevention of stress-related mucosal bleeding.

For more information on the curricular track programs, including faculty listings and learning objectives, visit the ACCP Web site, www.accp.com/sf. Online meeting registration is now open!