Remote Patient Monitoring in Experiential Education
PAI 2030 Activity Overview
Advanced pharmacy practice students completing a 5 week rotation at the practice site are quickly immersed in the remote monitoring and technology practices of the pharmacist preceptors. They conduct patient interviews via phone and video and learn to navigate the electronic health record. They are also trained in two common continuous glucose monitor devices (Dexcom and freestyle libre) and work with patients to provide education and training on the devices as well as interpret remote blood sugar monitoring reports to provide recommendations to providers. Learners are assigned individual patients to review the day prior to their scheduled appointment. The learner presents the patient to the preceptor prior to the interaction and receives feedback on the plan. Learners are gradually transitioned through the 4 precepting models to the point that they can independently perform the interactions with facilitation.
The activity aligns with the following recommendations from PAI 2030:
C3. Pharmacy practice leaders should be engaged in assessing emerging patient care technologies (e.g., mobile applications, monitoring devices, digital wearables or ingestibles, blockchain technology) to support optimal medication use outcomes.
C4. The pharmacy workforce should be competent in health information technology (including but not limited to analytics, automation, and clinical applications of technology) with ongoing education and training embedded at all stages of career development.
Outcomes and Feedback
Learners frequently comment positively on the exposure to different modes of communication and remote monitoring technology they receive. Engaging students in the process allows for care to be provided to more patients in more settings and helps them become practice ready.
Advice and Lessons Learned
Don't be afraid to involve learners in new practice areas to fill gaps. We became engaged in remote monitoring with continuous glucose monitors because we saw a need to help provide access and education to our population. We quickly realized it was going to be a significant amount of our time and that we would need to train our learners so that we could dedicate enough clinic time. Our students have loved it!
About the Organization
The Clark K. Sleeth Family Medicine Center is an academic training site for medical residents as well as many other disciplines. Currently, patients can elect to complete in person or virtual visits for appointments. Clinical pharmacists also meet with patients via video visits to telephone call. They also utilize remote monitoring software with continuous glucose meters.
About the Author
Angela L. Goodhart, PharmD, BCACP is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Clinical Pharmacy and Family Medicine at West Virginia University (WVU) and practices as an ambulatory care specialist within a Patient Centered Medical Home for the Department of Family Medicine, managing chronic disease states and providing patient and provider education. She serves as an experiential preceptor for student pharmacists and pharmacy residents. Dr. Goodhart obtained her PharmD from Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) and completed her PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at St. Vincent Indianapolis Hospital before pursuing PGY2 training in Ambulatory Care at Summa Health System in Akron, OH. Her areas of interest include geriatrics, chronic disease management, advocacy, interprofessional education, and expanding clinical pharmacy services.
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