BACKGROUND: Calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS) is a global clinical burden, impacting around 2% of the population over 65 years of age. No pharmacotherapeutics exist, with surgical repair and trans...

Theorized mechanism of dopamine homeostasis restoration in the nucleus accumbens core induced by a psychedelic intervention.

Pharmacist Barry Newman talks with Dr. Angela M. Hill, a Professor in the Department of Pharmacotherapeutics & Clinical Research, and the Program Director of WE-CARE, at the University of South Florida Taneja College of Pharmacy, about the dangers of mixing medications and what to ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medications.

This cohort study examines whether prenatal use of smoking cessation pharmacotherapies is associated with increased risks of major congenital malformations.

BACKGROUND: Calcific aortic valve stenosis is a global clinical burden, impacting around 2% of the population over 65 years of age. No pharmacotherapeutics exist, with surgical repair and transcathete...

Background: There has been a call to improve training for healthcare professionals (HCPs) on communicating about overweight and obesity for at least ten years. Progress has been made on recognizing the impact of weight stigma and in pharmacotherapeutics, but challenges remain in standardizing the quality of HCP–patient discussions. In other chronic conditions, emphasizing patient-centered communication has helped to improve patient support, such as in diabetes care. However, few weight-related communication studies exist to address the practical skills needed to improve standards. One potential way is using the recent advances in technology such as 3D virtual learning. 3D virtual learning offers a safe and immersive way to acquire the practical skills that benefit from sensitive and compassionate reflection and feedback. VITAL-COMS (Virtual training and assessment for communication Skills) is a new virtual simulation digital training tool to address training gaps for healthcare professionals in weight-related communication, nutrition knowledge, complexities of weight and weight stigma. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of VITAL-COMS to improve how healthcare professionals communicate about weight in healthcare settings. Methods: A mixed-method pre and post study examined the feasibility of a scenario-based virtual simulator to improve weight-related communication skills for HCP. Participants were students recruited from healthcare courses or UK-based dietitians, nurses and doctors recruited via social media. Analysis examined improvements pre and post training using a weight-related communication skills self-assessment questionnaire, along with participant feedback via a feasibility questionnaire and reflective practice interviews. Results: The study was completed by 31 participants; student and practicing dietitians, nurses and doctors. Pre and post training scores showed improvement with statistical significance (p=0.001). Most participants reacted positively (97%) to using VITAL-COMS. The reflective practice interviews highlighted the neglected relationship between effective weight-related communication skills and appropriate care provided for patients living with obesity. Conclusions: This study has shown that VITAL-COMS is a fit for purpose, innovative digital training tool and acceptable for teaching evidence-based weight-related communication skills. It has potential to enhance weight-related communication skills amongst HCPs.

Prepare for your pharmacotherapeutics exams with the Test Bank for Lehne's Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice Nurses and Physician Assistants, 3rd Edition (2025). Get access to expertly crafte...

Find your study notes, summaries, flashcards & other study material at Stuvia. Prevent resits and get higher grades. Discover your study material at Stuvia.

TEST BANK for Lehne's Pharmacotherapeutics 2E - comprehensive question bank for advanced practice nurses & physicians; updated, complete coverage for exam and clinical prep. Complete, chapter-by-chap