This story first appeared in the spring 2018 issue of the Concordian, the official magazine of Concordia University Wisconsin.
Concordia University Wisconsin’s School of Pharmacy is helping students gain valuable experience in the rapidly advancing practice of telehealth—telepharmacy, in particular—through a partnership with Marshfield Clinic Health System.
At the start of the semester, Concordia began its first telepharmacy rotation in a newly designated lab space on campus, called the Concordia University School of Pharmacy and Marshfield Clinic Health System Center for Population Health. Fourth-year pharmacy students who select and match with the six-week rotation connect with MCHS patients via phone to collect patient health information. A CUW faculty member then works with the student to review and send physicians or providers recommendations on medication adjustments before the patient’s next appointment. Students also contribute to Marshfield’s drug information service by helping to research questions from prescribers and medical support staff in an effort to help serve patient care needs and promote population health.
The telepharmacy patient care services tend to focus on individuals in rural communities, says James Lokken, PharmD, MS, MEd, assistant professor of pharmacy practice at CUW.
“It’s an important population to support because there’s often limited access to the type of health care that will keep them safe and out of the hospital,” Lokken says. “I think that any time you have the opportunity to address a health disparity like that, it’s an incredibly worthwhile venture.”
The spring Concordian hit mailboxes the week of April 23. View a PDF version of the magazine here. If you are not on our mailing list, but are interested in receiving a free copy, call 734-995-7317.
— This story is written by Kali Thiel, director of university communications for Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor. She may be reached at kali.thiel@cuw.edu or 262-243-2149.
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