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Residency

Drug Information Service Rotation

Preceptors:

  • Christina Beckwith, PharmD
  • Megan Dryer, PharmD
  • Erin Fox, PharmD
  • Ginny Jones, RPh
  • Dave Peterson, PharmD
  • Michelle Wheeler, PharmD

Meet the Staff

 
Site Description:

The Drug Information Service (DIS) at University of Utah Healthcare is a comprehensive hospital-based drug information service affiliated with the College of Pharmacy. The DIS responds to approximately 200 requests per month and supports the P&T Committee by managing the formulary, preparing drug monographs, and coordinating adverse drug reaction reporting and medication use evaluation. The DIS provides very diverse services. The DIS also provides contract services on a national basis to organizations such as group purchasing organizations, and pharmacy benefits management programs. Contract activities include providing information on drug shortages, developing evidence based monographs, and P&T support. The DIS staff serve as editors for Facts & Comparison's Chemotherapy Manual and for ASHP's website on drug shortages. The DIS is a training site for pharmacy students and residents.

 
Rotation Description:

Residents respond to drug information requests, prepare a drug monograph for the P&T Committee, write a 1- to 2-page newsletter on a new drug, and participate in journal club. Drug information questions are received from many practitioners and usually involve patients. It is important that responses are coordinated with the clinical pharmacists from that area to ensure continuity of patient care.

These activities require that residents develop their communication and literature evaluation skills as well as become proficient in the use of printed and online references. Many residents are involved in developing medication use policy and writing newsletters. Many residents choose to be involved in the active training programs with students.

 
RLS Goals

R1.1 - Identify opportunities for improvement of the organization's medication-use system.
OBJ R1.1.1 Explain the organization's medication-use system and its vulnerabilities to adverse drug events.
OBJ R1.1.2 Analyze the structure and process and measure outcomes of the medication-use system.
OBJ R1.1.3 Identify opportunities for improvement in the organization's medication-use system by comparing the medication-use system to relevant best practices.

R1.2 - Design and implement quality improvement changes to the organization's medication-use system.
OBJ R1.2.1 Explain the process for developing, implementing, and maintaining a formulary system.
OBJ R1.2.2 Make a medication-use policy recommendation based on a comparative review.
OBJ R1.2.3 Participate in the identification of need for, development of, implementation of, and evaluation of an evidence-based treatment guideline/protocol related to individual and population-based patient care.
OBJ R1.2.4 Design and implement pilot interventions to change problematic or potentially problematic aspects of the medication-use system with the objective of improving quality.

R1.5 - Provide concise, applicable, comprehensive, and timely responses to requests for drug information from patients and health care providers.
OBJ R1.5.1 Discriminate between the requesters' statement of need and the actual drug information need by asking for appropriate additional information.
OBJ R1.5.2 Formulate a systematic, efficient, and thorough procedure for retrieving drug information.
OBJ R1.5.3 Determine from all retrieved biomedical literature the appropriate information to evaluate.
OBJ R1.5.4 Evaluate the usefulness of biomedical literature gathered.
OBJ R1.5.5 Formulate responses to drug information requests based on analysis of the literature.
OBJ R1.5.6 Provide appropriate responses to drug information questions that require the pharmacist to draw upon his or her knowledge base.
OBJ R1.5.7 Assess the effectiveness of drug information recommendations.

E6.1 - Identify a core library, including electronic media, appropriate for a specific practice setting.
OBJ E6.1.1 Use knowledge of standard resources to select a core library of primary, secondary, and tertiary references appropriate for a specific practice setting.

E7.2 - Communicate effectively.
OBJ E7.2.1 Use an understanding of effectiveness, efficiency, customary practice and the recipient's preferences to determine the appropriate type of, and medium and organization for, communication.
OBJ E7.2.2 Speak clearly and distinctly in grammatically correct English or the alternate primary language of the practice site.
OBJ E7.2.3 Use listening skills effectively in performing job functions.
OBJ E7.2.4 Use correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, style, and formatting conventions in preparing all written communications.

E7.3 - Balance obligations to oneself, relationships, and work in a way that minimizes stress.
OBJ E7.3.1 Devise an effective plan for minimizing stress while attending to personal needs, maintaining relationships, and meeting professional obligations.

E7.4 - Manage time effectively to fulfill practice responsibilities.
OBJ E7.4.1 Use time management skills effectively to fulfill practice responsibilities.

 
Activities Evaluated:

Rotation Activity RLS Goal Teaching Methods
Spend 4 to 12 hours in the call center weekly responding to Drug Information requests.   Customized based on resident's baseline drug information skills.
• Direct Instruction
• Modeling
• Coaching
• Facilitation
Obtain an appropriate history R1.5, E7.2
Determine the "real" question R1.5, E7.2
Formulate a search strategy R1.5
Document research activities R1.5
Identify controversy R1.5
Formulate a written response R1.5, E7.2
Deliver response E7.2
Perform quality improvement review of at least 5 completed drug information questions upon approval from preceptor. The resident must demonstrate mastery in the call center activities before advancing to quality improvement review. R1.5
Assess drug information requests for opportunities to improve medication-use processes by reviewing medication management policies and guidelines for any needed updates. R1.1  
Write a newsletter on a new drug (New Drug Bulletin) using written instructions and examples. Participate in editing trainee bulletins and providing feedback on written work. E7.2 Modeling
Coaching
Facilitation
Plan work to meet rotation and residency commitments by attending weekly staff meetings prepared with a schedule of rotation and other residency activities. E7.4 Coaching
Facilitation
Plan rotation work with preceptor by revising the weekly and monthly calender and deadlines as needed to meet rotation, residency, and personal commitments. The resident can also gain practice at developing organizational skills such as maintaining a "to do" list and accurate calender and keeping these up to date. E7.3 Coaching
Facilitation
Write a formulary drug monograph using written instructions and examples. Incorporate preceptor feedback and edits into the completed monograph. Perform a literature search and analysis prior to preparing the monograph. Present monograph to P&T Committee if applicable. R1.2, E7.2 Modeling
Coaching
Facilitation
Understand how a drug is added to or removed from formulary. Understand the process for updating medication policies and guidelines. Attend P&T meetings. R1.2 Modeling
Review reference checklist and document strengths and weaknesses of at least 15 references used to research drug information requests. E6.1 Facilitation
Participate in ADR and Medication Safety meetings. Understand how the medication-use system and medication policies and guidelines are improved through these committees. R1.1, R1.2 Modeling
Lead 1 journal club presentation and participate in trainee journal club presentations. E7.2 Coaching
Facilitation

 
Readings and Preparatory Work:

Be familiar with the Drug Information Resource Center - http://healthcare.utah.edu/pharmacy/druginfo/

Be familiar with contents on the DI Team page - http://intranet.uuhsc.utah.edu/pharmacy/help/team11.html

 
Project Description:

Instructions and background for writing projects are found at the following links. Examples are available on-site.

 
Typical Daily/Weekly/Monthly Activities:

8:00 - 4:30, Monday through Friday (average 2 - 4 half-days per week spent in the call center responding to requests)
Monday morning staff meeting (8:30 am)
DI Rounds 10:30 AM Fridays
Poison Control Center Case Conference (Thursday's - optional)
Attend P&T Committee meeting (3rd Wednesday of the month, 12 - 1)
Attend quarterly ADR subcommittee meetings (to be determined)
Attend monthly Medication Safety subcommittee meetings (4th Tuesday of each month - 10:30 to 12:00)

Evaluations: Evaluations will be documented in Resitrak™. At the midpoint of the rotation, the preceptor will evaluate the resident. At the end of each rotation, the resident will self-evaluate, the preceptor will evaluate the resident, and the resident will evaluate both the preceptor and the learning experience.