Research & Scholarship Showcase
Manchester, NH
Book of Abstracts
November 13, 2024
Research & Scholarship Showcase
This bi-annual event showcases scholarship activities from various healthcare programs across the Worcester and Manchester campuses of the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. This year, six abstracts submitted by students, graduate students, postgraduate residents, and fellows were accepted and will be presented in poster format.
Showcase Planning Committee Members:
School of Pharmacy, Worcester/Manchester
Matthew Metcalf and Alok Sharma (co-chairs)
Kaelen Dunican, Helen Pervanas, Holly Baker, Darlene DiTommaso, and Eva Shqina
New England School of Acupuncture, Worcester
Stephen Cina
School of Medical Imaging and Therapeutics, Worcester
Jeffrey Hill
School of Optometry, Worcester/Manchester
Lawrence Baitch
Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene, Worcester
Irina Smilyanski
School of Nursing, Worcester
Deirdre Donahue
School of Physical Therapy, Worcester
Christopher Joyce
School of Physician Assistant Studies, Worcester/Manchester
Linda Martino
School of Occupational Therapy, Manchester
Heidi Robertson
1 Evaluation of Tall-Man-Lettering in Pharmacy Software Systems and Documents in a Community Health System for Medication Error Prevention
2 Bridging the Gap: Assessing Cultural Competence Among Pharmacy Students
3 Mindfulness in Graduate-Student Depression Using the Health Through Activity Model
4 Effects of Mindfulness on Stress, Anxiety, and Depression of Graduate Students
5 Raising Awareness for the Sustainability Movement
6 Review of the Association Between Cannabis Use and Development of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Abstract: 1
Evaluation of Tall-Man-Lettering in Pharmacy Software Systems and Documents in a Community Health System for Medication Error Prevention
Author(s): Jennifer Towle, Sadie Gabris, Scott Beaurivage, and Vanesa Pinderi
Faculty Advisor/Principal Investigator: Jennifer Towle
Program/School: PHARMD.DPH/School of Pharmacy
Affiliate(s): Concord Hospital, New Hampshire
Purpose/Hypothesis: Over the past decade medications, support documents, and software systems involving medication processing have grown tremendously. As these expansions continue is important to take a proactive approach to medication error prevention by continuing to review and implement best practices. The Institute for Safe Medication Practices and the Food and Drug Administration advise the use of Tall-Man-Lettering to reduce medication errors by distinguishing between similar-looking drug names prone to confusion. The purpose of this project was to analyze Tall-Man-Lettering in all accessible medication software systems, policies, protocols, and visible pharmacy displays in a community health system to prevent medication errors.
Description/Methods/Materials: A list of 191 medications requiring Tall-Man-Lettering and used within the health system was compiled. Ten software systems with editable medication names were identified for review of Tall-Man-Lettering. Each of the identified software systems was evaluated for the use of Tall-Man-Lettering on all 191 medications. Medication entries within each software system without appropriate Tall-Man-Lettering were documented on a spreadsheet. Software systems without the ability to compile medication name reports were manually searched for each medication within the system; when possible medication name reports were used to evaluate the Tall-Man-Lettering. All medication entries including different dosage forms and strengths for each medication were evaluated and documented on the spreadsheet. Evaluation of the data was completed using Excel and a manual review of the compiled data.
Results: Results showed 1084 medication entries without the appropriate Tall-Man-Lettering in software systems and pharmacy-related documents. The automated dispensing cabinet software system medication entries had 155 medications out of 191 and over 800 individual medication entries without appropriate Tall-Man-Lettering. The policy and procedure documents medication names had 9 medications out of 191 without appropriate Tall-Man-Lettering. Medications with the highest number of required changes across the software systems and pharmacy documents included: levETIRAcetam, HYDROmorphone, HYDROcodone, hydroCHLOROthiazide, fentaNYL, dilTIAZem, diazePAM, dexAMETHasone, and BUPivacaine.
Conclusion/Discussion: Retroactive review of software systems is a reactive approach to medication errors. To create a proactive approach the informatics team will be required to check for Tall-ManLettering on the initial build of any medication item in any of our software systems. Additional medication lists were identified within several software systems used by our health system that were not accessible for editing. A greater effort needs to be made by software companies to implement best practices to help with the proactive prevention of medication errors.
Implications/Clinical Relevance: Implementing best practices to help with the proactive prevention of medication errors.
Abstract: 2
Bridging the Gap: Assessing Cultural Competence Among Pharmacy Students
Author(s): Seohyun Park and Helen Pervanas
Faculty Advisor/Principal Investigator: Helen Pervanas
Program/School:
PHARMD.DPH/School of Pharmacy
Purpose/Hypothesis: I Cultural competence is essential in healthcare for addressing patients' diverse cultural and linguistic needs. Pharmacy students must develop a solid foundation in this area to provide quality care. However, many lack exposure to cultural competency principles. This study evaluates the knowledge of cultural competence among pharmacy students at MCPHS University –Manchester and aims to enhance it through educational interventions, including a pre-survey and interactive group discussions.
Description/Methods/Materials: This study assessed cultural competence and diversity knowledge among pharmacy students at MCPHS University. A 26-question survey was distributed to pharmacy students on the Manchester campus to assess baseline knowledge. An in-person educational interactive presentation was given to the students on the topic of cultural diversity. Survey questions were assessed using 5-point Likert scale and included background demographics. This study was approved by the MCPHS Institutional Review Board (IRB).
Results: A total of 27 participants completed the survey, reflecting diverse demographics. Most respondents were 21-25 years of age (48.15%), followed by 26-30 (33.33%) and over 30 (18.52%). Females constituted 66.67% of the sample. Among participants,15 were in their third year of pharmacy school, 9 in their second year, and 3 in their first year. Notably, 77.8% had undergone cultural diversity (CD) training, which correlated with more positive responses across questions. Those without training expressed more varied opinions, particularly regarding ethical practices and professional confidence. Regarding self-assessment of cultural competence, most rated themselves as moderately (11.1%), somewhat (40.7%), or very culturally competent (44.4%). When asked about their confidence in providing culturally competent care, 14.8% felt somewhat confident, 33.3% very confident, and 7.4% not very confident.
Conclusion/Discussion: This study evaluated the cultural competence and diversity knowledge among pharmacy students at MCPHS University – Manchester. While a majority rated themselves as moderately to very culturally competent, many also expressed low confidence in their ability to provide culturally competent care. The high percentage of students who had undergone cultural diversity training did not translate into a corresponding sense of preparedness. This indicates a need for more comprehensive educational interventions that integrate theoretical knowledge with practical applications. Future studies should assess the effectiveness of such interventions to ensure pharmacy graduates can meet the diverse needs of their patients.
Implications/Clinical Relevance: The findings highlight critical implications for pharmacy education and practice. As healthcare becomes increasingly diverse, the ability of pharmacy students to understand and respond to patients’ cultural needs is vital. Integrating comprehensive cultural competence training into pharmacy curricula is essential, with mandatory courses and experiential learning opportunities recommended. Additionally, regular assessments should monitor students’ progress and inform curriculum adjustments. Fostering interdisciplinary collaboration can provide broader perspectives on cultural competence. Ultimately, enhancing students’ skills and confidence in delivering culturally competent care will improve patient outcomes and help address health disparities within diverse populations.
Abstract: 3
Mindfulness in Graduate-Student Depression Using the Health Through Activity Model
Author(s): Ellen Rainville, Sarah Bradford, Kendall Copley, Sam Gianfrancesco, Stephanie Lawrence, Gloria Mattioli, Katie Royal, and all OT Students
Faculty Advisor/Principal Investigator: Ellen Rainville Program/School: OTH.MSOT/Occupational Therapy
Purpose/Hypothesis: Building upon the significance of mindfulness and its relevance in occupational therapy, this study aimed to investigate the following research question: Is there an effect on depression for a graduate student who participates in a 5-week Health Through Activity approach to mindfulness? This study aimed to identify the impact of mindfulness-based interventions within the context of occupational therapy by using a single-subject research design to explore these questions. These findings are expected to be used to inform OT practice and improve the well-being and academic success of graduate students.
Description/Methods/Materials: Design The Health Through Activity (HTA) model incorporates aspects of behavioral therapy and activity prescription to increase engagement in meaningful activities weekly (Lyons, 2024). A single subject design was used to allow each participant to act as their own control and repeating the same outcome measures over time (Taylor, 2017).
The use of a single subject design allows the researchers to examine if the use of mindfulness interventions were effective in the population that was examined. Participants: The population consists of six 23-25-year-old female graduate students studying occupational therapy at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Worcester, MA (N = 6)
Assessment The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Subscale-21 (DASS-21) is a 21-item self report assessment that indicates levels of depression, anxiety, and stress in respondents. Respondents are instructed to read each statement and indicate each statement applicable level over the past week. All reported values are scaled on a four-point scale (0= Did not apply to me at all - NEVER, 1= Applied to me to some degree or some of the time - SOMETIMES, 2= applied to me to a considerable degree or a good part of the time - OFTEN, 3= Applied to me very much, or most of the time - ALMOST ALWAYS).
Results: Figure 1 depicts a general decline or steady trend line from baseline to T6. Decreased or maintained symptoms may be due to an increase in participation in mindfulness activities implemented over the 7 week period. While depressive symptoms fluctuated from subject to subject, figure 1 depicts an overall positive effect from the HTA model revealing a regulation of symptoms represented through active decline or maintenance. Figure 2 highlights the baseline and T6 DASS Subscale Raw Score as depicted in figure 1.
Conclusion/Discussion: Many subjects demonstrated a decreasing trend line while others demonstrate maintenance of symptoms depicted through a steady trend line. Although Figure 1 depicts a general decline in all subjects, when considering each trial fluctuations amongst symptoms exist potentially because of external factors such as course load, medical needs, responsibilities and social obligations. Through the implementation of the HTA model, depressive symptoms appear to stay more manageable levels. This supports previous research that mindfulness can have a positive impact on students' ability to manage their depression (Kinsella et al., 2020). In conclusion, this study contributes valuable insights into how mindfulness interventions can support graduate students’ mental health and academic success. Most participants had a significant drop in depression levels on the DASS through the HTA mindfulness intervention.
Abstract: 4
Effects of Mindfulness On Stress, Anxiety, and Depression of Graduate Students
Author(s): Medjine Bernard, Brianna Nguyen, Maya Piper, Esther Sarpong, Kristen Souza, Lauren Vierno and Ellen Rainville
Faculty Advisor/Principal Investigator: Ellen Rainville
Program/School: OTH.MSOT/Occupational Therapy
Purpose/Hypothesis: Is there an effect on stress, anxiety, or depression when a graduate student participates in a 5-week health through activity approach to mindfulness?
Description/Methods/Materials: Study Design: Single-subject, Health Through Activity (HTA) used as an intervention. Participants: N = 6, Graduate MCPHS OT students, 100% female, Age range: 2223 years old. Measurement Tools: Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21)
Results: All but one student showed a downward trend in their levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. A downward trend indicates students had lower stress, anxiety, and depression after participating in mindfulness through Health Through Activity (HTA) intervention. One student showed an increase in their levels of stress, anxiety, and depression over the five weeks.
Conclusion/Discussion: Most participants’ stress and anxiety levels reduced over the 5 weeks, indicating a positive outcome. Depression reduced over the 5 weeks, with all participants showing low or no change in depression levels. Participant C did not show a significant reduction in anxiety and stress, indicating the possibility of other factors influencing their outcome. Mental distress may still be evident while implementing mindfulness due to the population's specific demands. However, there is an evident positive effect in terms of decreasing these symptoms. The overall positive impact on depression, anxiety, and stress suggests that mindfulness is effective but additional strategies may be needed to support all participants.
Implications/Clinical Relevance: Mindfulness can be implemented into occupational therapy interventions to increase awareness of the present moment and decrease stress, depression, and anxiety.
Abstract: 5
Raising Awareness for the Sustainability Movement
Author(s): Cooper Blum, Ashley Keohavong, and Linda Martino
Faculty Advisor/Principal Investigator: Linda Martino
Program/School:
PA.MPAS/School of Physicians Assistant Studies
Purpose/Hypothesis: The Healthcare Advocates for Sustainability Club aims to raise awareness about the positive effects of adopting sustainable living practices within the healthcare community. By promoting sustainable habits, the club seeks to inspire healthcare professionals to integrate these practices into their daily lives and careers, ultimately enhancing public health and environmental stewardship.
Description/Methods/Materials: The club has engaged in a variety of initiatives designed to foster a culture of sustainability among healthcare professionals and the community. Key activities include volunteering at the New Hampshire Food Bank garden, which promotes local food production and composting efforts. The club has also introduced "Fruit Fridays," a weekly event where members share fresh fruit along with educational facts about sustainability. Furthermore, the implementation of a composting bin on campus demonstrates our commitment to waste reduction and organic recycling. Our compost collected on campus will in turn be used to sustain soil health and fertility at the New Hampshire Food Bank garden. To engage with the community directly, the club organized a trash pickup at a local trailhead, emphasizing the importance of maintaining clean natural spaces. Additionally, a guest speaker was invited to address the impacts of climate change on community health, linking environmental issues with public health concerns.
Results: The club's initiatives have successfully raised awareness about sustainability among healthcare professionals and the community. Participation in the New Hampshire Food Bank garden and the trash pickup events promoted teamwork and collaboration, while "Fruit Fridays" provided a platform for sharing knowledge about sustainability. The introduction of the composting bin has also encouraged sustainable waste management practices on campus that are further used to support soil quality at the New Hampshire Food Bank garden. The guest speaker event received positive feedback, with attendees expressing a better understanding of the connection between climate change and patient health.
Conclusion/Discussion: The efforts of the Healthcare Advocates for Sustainability Club highlight the crucial role that healthcare professionals can play in promoting sustainable living. By adopting and advocating for sustainable practices, healthcare professionals not only contribute to environmental health but also enhance the well-being of the communities they serve. The club's activities demonstrate that small actions can lead to significant changes in awareness and behavior regarding sustainability.
Implications/Clinical Relevance: The implications of the club’s work extend beyond community engagement; they suggest a model for integrating sustainability into healthcare practice. As healthcare professionals adopt sustainable practices, they can influence their colleagues and patients, creating a broader culture of sustainability within healthcare. This approach not only benefits environmental health but also addresses social determinants of health, creating a holistic framework for improving community health outcomes. Ultimately, the Healthcare Advocates for Sustainability Club serves as a catalyst for change, encouraging healthcare professionals to embrace sustainability as a vital component of their practice and professional identity.
Abstract: 6
Review of the Association Between Cannabis Use and Development of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Author(s): Salwa,
Faculty
Majrashi, and Katherine Carey
Advisor/Principal Investigator: Katherine Carey Program/School: PHARMD.DPH/School of Pharmacy
Purpose/Hypothesis: Cannabis is one of the most widely used drugs for medical and non-medical purposes. While cannabinoids may promote insulin resistance through the activation of the endocannabinoid system leading to inflammation, altered lipid metabolism, increased appetite, and changes in hormone secretion affecting glucose metabolism, recent findings suggest a potential benefit of THC in improving glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. In studies involving 3T3-L1 adipocytes, a lipophilic cannabis extract was shown to enhance insulin-induced glucose uptake and reduce adipogenesis. The purpose of this literature review was to examine the association between cannabis use and the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Description/Methods/Materials: A systematic search was conducted on the PubMed database on August 13, 2024, using the keywords "cannabis," "cause," "diabetes mellitus," and "type 2 diabetes." This review aimed to identify studies on the relationship between cannabis use, particularly smoking, and the onset of T2DM. Initially, 21 articles were found. Primary literature and meta-analyses/systematic reviews were included. A total of 15 articles that did not directly address T2DM or focused on other health conditions were excluded. This resulted in 6 articles examining self-reported cannabis use and new onset of T2DM. A spreadsheet was developed to systematically extract data and capture the population, intervention, comparator, outcomes, and results (PICO) from each study. For instance, populations included National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) participants and Swedish cohorts, interventions involved cannabis smoking, and the outcomes-focused onset of T2DM. The information summarized in the table was used to compare and contrast the methods and results of the 6 studies.
Results: This analysis reviewed six studies, comprising two meta-analyses and four populationbased cohort studies, to assess the impact of cannabis use on T2DM. The patient populations varied, including diverse demographics such as NHANES participants, non-institutionalized civilians, and adults from metropolitan areas in the United States and Sweden, with ages ranging from 18 to 84 years. The definition of cannabis use across the studies included recent smoking (within the past 30 days), and lifetime use. The diagnosis of T2DM was determined through a combination of clinical assessments, lab results, self-reported data, and recognized criteria such as fasting glucose levels and HbA1c measurements. The median duration of follow-up ranged from 12 months for the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions III study to 25 years for the CARDIA study. Four studies indicated a lower risk of diabetes among cannabis users, with odds ratios (OR) ranging from 0.48 (95% CI: 0.39-0.59) to 0.70 (95% CI: 0.60-0.80). In contrast, one study reported an increased risk of prediabetes, showing an OR of 1.65 (95% CI: 1.15-2.38), while another study found no significant association with diabetes, resulting in an OR of 1.49 (95% CI: 1.06-2.11).
Conclusion/Discussion: The relationship between cannabis use and diabetes shows mixed results. Some studies suggest a potential protective effect against T2DM, while others indicate an increased risk of prediabetes. Variability in findings may be due to differences in study design, definitions of cannabis use, and demographic factors. Overall, while there appears to be some inverse association between cannabis use and diabetes risk, inconsistencies highlight the need for further research to clarify these effects and inform health guidelines. Understanding the nuances of this relationship is crucial as cannabis use becomes more widespread.