(54) Evaluating the Impact of Pharmaceutical Industry and Health-System Collaboration on Patient Care and Learning Outcomes

Objective : The purpose is to describe the framework, implementation, and impact of industry, health-system, School/College of Pharmacy collaboration in the Southeastern United States.

Methods: The health-system IRB approved this project. Pharmaceutical industry medical outcomes and analytics pharmacists contacted health-systems regarding a collaboration with health-systems and Schools/Colleges of Pharmacy. The collaboration included a research project and industry-facilitated mentoring for pharmacists, residents, and students. It aimed to assess provider confidence in knowledge and therapeutic approaches for reducing stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation before and after education. An education template and a 25 question electronic survey was provided by industry. Participants administered to providers at each site. Survey results were provided for each institution as well as in aggregate. Overall, the collaboration included 8 healthcare organizations totaling 53 hospitals and over 10,000 employed providers. Pharmacy participants included 21 pharmacists, 20 students, and 6 residents working alongside 8 industry pharmacists.

Results: Participants from the health-system included 2 pharmacists, 1 resident, and 3 students. The 4-month project surveyed 53 providers pre-education and 29 providers post-education. Survey responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Provider confidence improved after education on CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores from 70% to 90% and 49 to 86%, respectively. Provider perceived barriers decreased from 49% to 31% after education regarding knowledge of direct oral anticoagulants dosing.

Conclusions: Health-system, industry, School/College of Pharmacy partnerships can be successful in meeting needs of provider education and adding validity to industry related programming. As a result of the collaboration, students, residents, and preceptors gained insights into research and industry partnerships to improve clinician education and patient outcomes. Schools/Colleges of Pharmacy have a unique position to facilitate ongoing collaborations.