Background: The evolving healthcare environment necessitates changes in pharmacy education to meet these demands, with problem-based learning (PBL) being a promising approach. Methods: This study employed a single-group, repeated-measures designto evaluate the effects of PBL on the communication and problem-solving skills of fifth-year pharmacy students at S University.The course, which focused on pharmacy practice and communication, included 36 students who participated in structured pre- and post-intervention surveys, as well as self-reflection journals. The primary competencies assessed were problem-solving and com-munication skills. Data collection involved quantitative measures through surveys and qualitative insights from self-reflection notes. Results: Of the 36 students, 35 completed the pre-intervention surveys, and 27 completed the post-intervention assessments. Signif-icant improvements were observed in problem-solving skills, including problem identification, information gathering, and planning.Communication skills showed overall improvement, though the differences were not statistically significant. Qualitative analysis of self-reflection notes revealed enhanced understanding of elderly patient care, increased responsibility, teamwork, and the importance of effective communication in pharmacy practice. Commonly identified themes included a heightened sense of responsibility, the importance of teamwork, and an appreciation for the multifaceted nature of pharmacy practice in elderly care. Conclusion The PBL approach effectively enhanced students' problem-solving abilities and provided valuable experiential learning in pharmacy practice.The qualitative data indicated that students gained a deeper understanding of their roles and responsibilities, fostering greater moti-vation and teamwork. Further research should focus on broader applications across different institutions to validate these findings.

Background: The evolving healthcare environment necessitates changes in pharmacy education to meet these demands, with problem-based learning (PBL) being a promising approach. Methods: This study employed a single-group, repeated-measures designto evaluate the effects of PBL on the communication and problem-solving skills of fifth-year pharmacy students at S University.The course, which focused on pharmacy practice and communication, included 36 students who participated in structured pre- and post-intervention surveys, as well as self-reflection journals. The primary competencies assessed were problem-solving and com-munication skills. Data collection involved quantitative measures through surveys and qualitative insights from self-reflection notes. Results: Of the 36 students, 35 completed the pre-intervention surveys, and 27 completed the post-intervention assessments. Signif-icant improvements were observed in problem-solving skills, including problem identification, information gathering, and planning.Communication skills showed overall improvement, though the differences were not statistically significant. Qualitative analysis of self-reflection notes revealed enhanced understanding of elderly patient care, increased responsibility, teamwork, and the importance of effective communication in pharmacy practice. Commonly identified themes included a heightened sense of responsibility, the importance of teamwork, and an appreciation for the multifaceted nature of pharmacy practice in elderly care. Conclusion The PBL approach effectively enhanced students' problem-solving abilities and provided valuable experiential learning in pharmacy practice.The qualitative data indicated that students gained a deeper understanding of their roles and responsibilities, fostering greater moti-vation and teamwork. Further research should focus on broader applications across different institutions to validate these findings.

Background: The evolving healthcare environment necessitates changes in pharmacy education to meet these demands, with problem-based learning (PBL) being a promising approach. Methods: This study employed a single-group, repeated-measures designto evaluate the effects of PBL on the communication and problem-solving skills of fifth-year pharmacy students at S University.The course, which focused on pharmacy practice and communication, included 36 students who participated in structured pre- and post-intervention surveys, as well as self-reflection journals. The primary competencies assessed were problem-solving and com-munication skills. Data collection involved quantitative measures through surveys and qualitative insights from self-reflection notes. Results: Of the 36 students, 35 completed the pre-intervention surveys, and 27 completed the post-intervention assessments. Signif-icant improvements were observed in problem-solving skills, including problem identification, information gathering, and planning.Communication skills showed overall improvement, though the differences were not statistically significant. Qualitative analysis of self-reflection notes revealed enhanced understanding of elderly patient care, increased responsibility, teamwork, and the importance of effective communication in pharmacy practice. Commonly identified themes included a heightened sense of responsibility, the importance of teamwork, and an appreciation for the multifaceted nature of pharmacy practice in elderly care. Conclusion The PBL approach effectively enhanced students' problem-solving abilities and provided valuable experiential learning in pharmacy practice.The qualitative data indicated that students gained a deeper understanding of their roles and responsibilities, fostering greater moti-vation and teamwork. Further research should focus on broader applications across different institutions to validate these findings.

Background: The evolving healthcare environment necessitates changes in pharmacy education to meet these demands, with problem-based learning (PBL) being a promising approach. Methods: This study employed a single-group, repeated-measures designto evaluate the effects of PBL on the communication and problem-solving skills of fifth-year pharmacy students at S University.The course, which focused on pharmacy practice and communication, included 36 students who participated in structured pre- and post-intervention surveys, as well as self-reflection journals. The primary competencies assessed were problem-solving and com-munication skills. Data collection involved quantitative measures through surveys and qualitative insights from self-reflection notes. Results: Of the 36 students, 35 completed the pre-intervention surveys, and 27 completed the post-intervention assessments. Signif-icant improvements were observed in problem-solving skills, including problem identification, information gathering, and planning.Communication skills showed overall improvement, though the differences were not statistically significant. Qualitative analysis of self-reflection notes revealed enhanced understanding of elderly patient care, increased responsibility, teamwork, and the importance of effective communication in pharmacy practice. Commonly identified themes included a heightened sense of responsibility, the importance of teamwork, and an appreciation for the multifaceted nature of pharmacy practice in elderly care. Conclusion The PBL approach effectively enhanced students' problem-solving abilities and provided valuable experiential learning in pharmacy practice.The qualitative data indicated that students gained a deeper understanding of their roles and responsibilities, fostering greater moti-vation and teamwork. Further research should focus on broader applications across different institutions to validate these findings.

Simulation-based education is gaining attention worldwide as it is recognized as effective in fostering collaborative skills in healthcare students. We conducted a comprehensive review of simulation-based interprofessional education (IPE) to examine the current state of simulation-based IPE. This scoping review systematically analyzed studies on simulation-based IPE in South Korean healthcare education, following established guidelines. Relevant articles were comprehensively searched, and key data on simulation methods, implementations, and educational effectiveness were extracted for analysis. The present study included nine quantitative studies and one mixed-methods study. The majority of participants were undergraduate nursing and medical students. The duration of IPE interventions ranged from 2 hours to 2 weeks. Education methods included standardized patients, high-fidelity simulators, and role-playing. Educational outcomes focused on measuring IPE competencies and satisfaction levels, concentrating on Kirkpatrick levels 1 and 2. While most studies reported high satisfaction levels, there is a need for objective evaluation of educational effectiveness. As simulation-based IPE in Korean healthcare education evolves, there is a need for greater inclusivity of diverse roles, multidisciplinary respect, and scenario development allowing active participation across professions. Establishing institutional frameworks, community linkages, and a deep understanding of IPE’s purpose and essence among practitioners is crucial for its academic maturation.

Background: Although inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) is reportedly associated with a higher risk of pneumonia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the clinical implications of ICS have not been sufficiently verified to determine their effect on the prognosis of pneumonia. Methods: The electronic health records of patients hospitalized for pneumonia with underlying COPD were retrospectively reviewed. Pneumonia was confirmed using chest radiography or computed tomography. The clinical outcomes of pneumonia in patients with COPD who received ICS and those who received long-acting bronchodilators other than ICS were compared. Results: Among the 255 hospitalized patients, 89 met the inclusion criteria. The numbers of ICS and non-ICS users were 46 and 43, respectively. The CURB-65 (confusion, uremia, respiratory rate, blood pressure, age ≥65 years) scores at the initial presentation of pneumonia were comparable between the two groups. The proportions of patients with multilobar infiltration, pleural effusion, and complicated pneumonia in the radiological studies did not vary between the two groups. Additionally, the defervescence time, proportion of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit admission, length of hospital stays, and mortality rate at 30 and 90 days were not significantly different between the two groups. ICS use and blood eosinophils count were not associated with all pneumonia outcomes and mortality in multivariate analyses. Conclusion The clinical outcomes of pneumonia following ICS use in patients with COPD did not differ from those in patients treated without ICS. Thus, ICS may not contribute to the severity and outcomes of pneumonia in patients with COPD.

Purpose: Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) are rare and show a dismal prognosis with limited treatment options. To improve our understanding of these heterogeneous tumors and develop effective therapeutic agents, suitable preclinical models reflecting diverse tumor characteristics are needed. We established and characterized new patient-derived cancer cell cultures and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models using malignant ascites from five patients with BTC. Materials and Methods: Five patient-derived cancer cell cultures and three PDX models derived from malignant ascites of five patients with BTC, AMCBTC-01, -02, -03, -04, and -05, were established. To characterize the models histogenetically and confirm whether characteristics of the primary tumor were maintained, targeted sequencing and histopathological comparison between primary tissue and xenograft tumors were performed. Results: From malignant ascites of five BTC patients, five patient-derived cancer cell cultures (100% success rate), and three PDXs (60% success rate) were established. The morphological characteristics of three primary xenograft tumors were compared with those of matched primary tumors, and they displayed a similar morphology. The mutated genes in samples (models, primary tumor tissue, or both) from more than one patient were TP53 (n=2), KRAS (n=2), and STK11 (n=2). Overall, the pattern of commonly mutated genes in BTC cell cultures was different from that in commercially available BTC cell lines. Conclusion We successfully established the patient-derived cancer cell cultures and xenograft models derived from malignant ascites in BTC patients. These models accompanied by different genetic characteristics from commercially available models will help better understand BTC biology.

Fixed drug eruption (FDE) is a well-defined hyperpigmented patch that recurs in a fixed location each time a particular drug is taken. Common causative agents of FDE are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, non-narcotic analgesics, sedatives, anticonvulsants, sulfonamides, and tetracycline. We report a 33-year-old male who presented with a recurrent, localized, brownish-to-erythematous macule and papules on the peri-philtrum area two hours after taking valacyclovir. Three episodes of valacyclovir ingestion for treatment of Herpes simplex virus infection provoked a similar skin rash at the same site. Histopathology results showed vacuolar degeneration in the basal layer of the epidermis, pigmentary incontinence, and perivascular inflammatory cell infiltration in the papillary dermis. Although patch test and skin prick test showed negative responses to acyclovir and valacyclovir, an intradermal test showed a positive reaction only to valacyclovir. The oral provocation test to acyclovir and valacyclovir showed a positive reaction only to valacyclovir. Through drug history, histopathological examination, patch test, intradermal test, and oral provocation test, we established a final diagnosis of FDE due to valacyclovir without cross-reactivity to acyclovir. To find alternative therapeutic drugs, we suggest diagnostic tests with not only the suspected drugs, but also other drugs in the same class.

Purpose: Polypharmacy can cause drug-related problems, such as potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use and medication regimen complexity in the elderly. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of a collaborative medication review and comprehensive medication reconciliation intervention by a pharmacist and hospitalist for older patients. Materials and Methods: This comprehensive medication reconciliation study was designed as a prospective, open-label, randomized clinical trial with patients aged 65 years or older from July to December 2020. Comprehensive medication reconciliation comprised medication reviews based on the PIM criteria. The discharge of medication was simplified to reduce regimen complexity. The primary outcome was the difference in adverse drug events (ADEs) throughout hospitalization and 30 days after discharge. Changes in regimen complexity were evaluated using the Korean version of the medication regimen complexity index (MRCI-K). Results: Of the 32 patients, 34.4% (n=11/32) reported ADEs before discharge, and 19.2% (n=5/26) ADEs were reported at the 30-day phone call. No ADEs were reported in the intervention group, whereas five events were reported in the control group (p=0.039) on the 30-day phone call. The mean acceptance rate of medication reconciliation was 83%. The mean decreases of MRCI-K between at the admission and the discharge were 6.2 vs. 2.4, although it was not significant (p=0.159). Conclusion As a result, we identified the effect of pharmacist-led interventions using comprehensive medication reconciliation, including the criteria of the PIMs and the MRCI-K, and the differences in ADEs between the intervention and control groups at the 30-day follow-up after discharge in elderly patients.Trial Registration: (Clinical trial number: KCT0005994)

Background: Along with the increase in the elderly population, concerns about polypharmacy, which can cause medication-related problems, are increasing. This study aimed to find out the association between drug-related factors and readmission in elderly patients within 30 days after discharge. Methods: Data of patients aged ≥65 years who were discharged from the respiratory medicine ward of a tertiary hospital between January and March 2016 were retrospectively obtained. The medication regimen complexity at discharge was calculated using the medication regimen complexity index (MRCI) score, comorbidity status was assessed using the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) were evaluated based on the Beer 2019 criteria, and adverse drug events (ADEs) were examined using the ADE reporting system. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the effect of medication-related problems on hospital readmission after controlling for other variables. Results: Of the 206 patients included, 84 (40.8%) used PIMs, 31 (15%) had ADEs, and 32 (15.5%) were readmitted. The mean age, total medications, MRCI, CCI, and PIMs in the readmission group were significantly higher than those in the non-readmission group.Age significantly decreased the risk of readmission (odds ratio [OR], 0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.84-0.96) after adjusting for sex, length of hospital stay, and ADEs. The use of PIMs (OR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.10-5.16) and increased CCI (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.16-1.93) and MRCI (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01-1.07) were associated with an increased occurrence of readmission. Conclusion PIMs were associated with a significantly greater risk for readmission than MRCI.