research topics in pharmacy

Top five research articles of 2020

Despite the significant challenges this year has posed, The Pharmaceutical Journal  has continued to publish high-quality peer-reviewed research.

Our researchers have made a range of investigations — from evaluating pharmacist interventions using the Simpler tool in Malaysia , to a pharmacist-led virtual thiopurine clinic to support people with inflammatory bowel disease and auto-immune hepatitis, here in the UK.

We have some exciting research coming up in 2021, but in case you missed them the first time around, here are the top five most popular research articles of 2020:

5. Misuse of prescription and over-the-counter drugs to obtain illicit highs: how pharmacists can prevent abuse

Use of prescription and over-the-counter drugs for recreational purposes is increasing, and this perspective article collates the existing literature to provide an in-depth overview of the misuse and diversion of a range of drugs with psychoactive potential, including gabapentinoids, antihistamine drugs and loperamide.

4. Effective detection and management of hypertension through community pharmacy in England

Community pharmacists can play a big role in managing hypertension — from the identification of medication-related problems, to providing lifestyle advice. Despite this, they are not routinely involved in structured hypertension management or screening programmes. So, this review summarises the evidence to recommend the roll-out of a community pharmacy-led hypertension management service.

3. Recent advances in the oral delivery of biologics

Oral administration of medicines is often preferred by patients for its convenience, but, for biologics, the gastrointestinal tract poses challenges for administering in this way. This review discusses the advantages and limitations of several novel drug delivery strategies, and highlights the work to be done to put this technology into clinical practice.

2. Immuno-oncology agents for cancer therapy

Immuno-oncology is a novel treatment that works by conditioning the body’s immune cells to recognise and kill cancer cells — combining this treatment with conventional therapies has led to promising improvements in patient outcomes. This review looks at the range of immuno-oncology agents, and how problems such as their toxicity and high cost can be overcome.

1. Investigational treatments for COVID-19

The emergence of COVID-19 resulted in a global research effort to find effective treatment options to relieve healthcare burdens and, ultimately, save lives. In June 2020, this rapid review summarised the clinical trials and treatment evidence at the time.

Check out The Pharmaceutical Journal’ s   ‘Everything you should know about the coronavirus outbreak’ for the latest on this continually evolving situation.

Find the full catalogue of articles in our research section .

Call for submissions

In 2021, The Pharmaceutical Journal will keep adding to the evidence base with review, perspective and research articles. If you have undertaken research into innovations and initiatives that can improve pharmacy services and administration, the pharmacological management of disease, or advances in drug development, please submit your article for consideration by email to: [email protected]

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• Pharmacy and Clinical Pharmacology

Explore JAMA Network Open’s collection on clinical pharmacy and pharmacology, including topics in drug safety and development, pharmacogenetics, and more.

Publication

Article type.

This special communication examines the benefits and risks of using large language models to support medical product postmarket surveillance.

This cohort study investigates the risks of mortality and adverse cardiovascular and kidney outcomes among individuals with type 2 diabetes taking tirzepatide vs glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists.

This cohort study compares the validity of patient-reported outcome measures with neurophysiological and sensory functional measures for the assessment of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy among adults in Australia.

This systematic review and meta-analysis quantifies differences in plasma concentrations for antiseizure drugs associated with variants of genes encoding drug metabolizing enzymes, particularly CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 .

• Antiseizure Drugs and Pharmacogenetics—Is There Signal in the Noise? JAMA Network Open Opinion August 8, 2024 Genetics and Genomics Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology Pharmacogenetics Epilepsy and Seizures Neurology Full Text | pdf link PDF open access

This register-based cohort study assesses the incidence of initiation of antihypertensive medication use in the 2 years post partum among women with or without hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

This cross-sectional study explores the association of pesticide bans with deliberate self-poisonings using pesticides and in-hospital deaths in Sri Lanka.

This randomized clinical trial assesses whether addition of olanzapine reduces nausea, vomiting, and use of nausea rescue medications among patients with solid malignant tumors receiving moderately emetogenic chemotherapy.

This survey study assesses the prevalence of use and clinical characteristics of consumers of the 6 most frequently reported hepatoxic botanicals, including turmeric or curcumin, green tea extract, Garcinia cambogia , black cohosh, red yeast rice, and ashwagandha, among US adults.

This qualitative study assesses the quality, amount of active ingredient, and characteristics associated with counterfeiting of semaglutide purchased from illegal online pharmacies without a prescription.

This cohort study compares the use of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy with conventional chemotherapy in patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and overweight or obesity.

• Building an Evidence Base for Deprescribing in the Setting of Polypharmacy JAMA Network Open Opinion July 30, 2024 Geriatrics Health Care Safety Health Policy Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology Full Text | pdf link PDF open access

This randomized clinical trial investigates whether multidisciplinary team-based medication optimization has an effect on survival, unscheduled hospital visits, and rehospitalization among older inpatients with polypharmacy.

This cluster randomized clinical trial tests a health system–embedded deprescribing intervention targeting older adults and their primary care clinicians for reducing the use of central nervous system (CNS)–active drugs and preventing medically treated falls.

This randomized clinical trial compares early and delayed pharmacist intervention for oral anticoagulation therapy among patients with undertreated and newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation in community pharmacies.

• Addressing Undertreatment of Atrial Fibrillation With Community Pharmacists JAMA Network Open Opinion July 24, 2024 Cardiology Health Care Workforce Health Care Delivery Models Health Policy Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology Full Text | pdf link PDF open access

This cohort study assesses the association of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) initiation after hospitalization or an emergency department (ED) visit with subsequent fatal or nonfatal opioid overdose at 6 and 12 months.

This cross-sectional study examines the rates of method of contraception documentation in the electronic medical record (EMR) for patients receiving 1 of 3 drugs known to be associated with adverse perinatal outcomes.

This case-control study assesses the association between long-term exposure to oral corticosteroids and adverse events among adult patients with atopic dermatitis.

• Access and Safety—The FDA Drug Approval Conundrum JAMA Network Open Opinion July 18, 2024 Health Policy Cardiology Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology Health Care Safety Pulmonary Medicine Full Text | pdf link PDF open access

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Pharmacology articles from across Nature Portfolio

Pharmacology is a branch of biomedical science, encompassing clinical pharmacology, that is concerned with the effects of drugs/pharmaceuticals and other xenobiotics on living systems, as well as their development and chemical properties.

Related Subjects

• Clinical pharmacology
• Pharmacodynamics
• Pharmacogenetics
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• Receptor pharmacology

Latest Research and Reviews

Rhein targets macrophage SIRT2 to promote adipose tissue thermogenesis in obesity in mice

Zhou et al. reveal that rhein improves adipose tissue thermogenesis via suppressing the NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages during obesity. They further identify that rhein directly binds to SIRT2 and inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome by activating SIRT2.

• Ruo-Nan Zhou
• Wen-Bin Shang

Entinostat as a combinatorial therapeutic for rhabdomyosarcoma

• Shefali Chauhan
• Charles Keller

Integrating network pharmacology with pharmacological research to elucidate the mechanism of modified Gegen Qinlian Decoction in treating porcine epidemic diarrhea

• Jinzhong Cui

Refining pain management in mice by comparing multimodal analgesia and NSAID monotherapy for neurosurgical procedures

• Vanessa Philippi
• Heidrun Potschka

Gut microbiome perturbation and its correlation with tylosin pharmacokinetics in healthy and infected pigs

• Eon-Bee Lee
• Ga-Yeong Lee
• Seung-Chun Park

Paeonol alleviates ulcerative colitis by modulating PPAR-γ and nuclear factor-κB activation

• Shuyu Cheng

News and Comment

Direct RAS inhibitors turn 10

RAS proteins, central drivers of cancer, appeared ‘undruggable’ for almost 30 years. Here we provide a personal perspective on the effort leading to our initial report of KRAS G12C inhibitors in 2013, and the decade of discoveries that followed.

• Jonathan M. L. Ostrem
• Kevan M. Shokat

Metabolic alliance: pharmacotherapy and exercise management of obesity

Anti-obesity medications based on incretin hormones have advanced weight control and metabolic health in individuals with obesity. The long-term success of obesity therapeutics could be facilitated by exercise, a vital metabolic ally in enhancing treatment efficacy.

• Javier Butragueño
• Jonatan R. Ruiz

Beyond traditional pharmacology: evaluating phosphodiesterase inhibitors in autism spectrum disorder

• Fernando E. Padovan-Neto
• Ana Júlia de Oliveira Cerveira
• Danilo Leandro Ribeiro

Biosimilar ranibizumab in India- overview of phase 3 clinical trial designs

• Ashish Sharma
• Nilesh Kumar
• Baruch D. Kuppermann

Given the fraught history of fluorine, Michelle Francl wonders what made medicinal chemists consider fluorine derivatives?

• Michelle Francl

Comment on: “History of testosterone therapy through the ages”

• Diederik F. Janssen

Quick links

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• Potential Research Projects

Research projects for Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students are available within the following School of Pharmacy research areas and research centre. 

Please email our academic staff to discuss potential HDR projects and ask if they are available as an advisor for your proposed HDR program.

Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacometrics

Title: Implementing Pharmacogenomics into Community Pharmacy Practice to Personalise the Treatment of Depression Contact:  Associate Professor Chris Freeman

Title:  Developing pharmacokinetic models for immunosuppressants in solid organ transplant patients Contact:   Dr Christine Staatz

Title:  Improving the use of immunosuppressant agents in solid organ transplant patients Contact:   Dr Christine Staatz

Medication Use, Safety and Health Services Research

Title:  The ethics of pharmacogenomic testing in community pharmacy Contact:  Doctor Adam La Caze

Title: Pharmacy ethics and the opioid crisis Contact:  Doctor Adam La Caze

Title:  Improving the use of immunosuppressant agents in solid organ transplant patients Contact:   Dr Christine Staatz

Title:  Establishing pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic models for antibiotics used in special paediatric populations Contact:   Dr Christine Staatz

Title:  Queensland Family Cohort (QFC) : Characterising medication usage within the perinatal-postnatal family environment Contact:   Dr Meng-Wong Taing

Title:  Pharmacy and oral healthcare Contact:   Dr Meng-Wong Taing

Pharmacoepidemiology, Pharmacovigilance and Pharmacoeconomics

No projects currently available.

Biotherapeutic Delivery and Diagnostic Solutions

Title: Computer-aided design, synthesis and evaluation of targeted drug delivery systems Contact:   Dr Ben Ross

Title:  Engineering peptides and proteins as therapeutics Contact:   Dr Peter Moyle

Title:  Improving the delivery characteristics of protein / peptide drugs Contact:   Dr Peter Moyle

Title:  Deciphering the roles of post-translational modifications Contact:   Dr Peter Moyle

Title:  Recombinant, semisynthetic and synthetic vaccines Contact:   Dr Peter Moyle

Title:  Targeted delivery systems for RNAi and DNA delivery Contact:   Dr Peter Moyle

Title:  Enhancing the activity of antimicrobial agents Contact:   Dr Peter Moyle

Title:  Engineering nanostructures and nanomedicines using supercritical fluid technology Contact:   Dr James Falconer

Title:  Improving delivery of challenging to formulate bioactives using advanced delivery systems Contact:   Dr James Falconer

Title:  Discovery of new drugs from indigenous Australian plants using supercritical fluids Contact:   Dr James Falconer

Title:  Design, construction, and development of supercritical fluid technology Contact:   Dr James Falconer

Title:  Characterisation of high pressure spray behaviour and bioactive Contact:   Dr James Falconer

Title:  Delivery of therapeutics to the posterior eye Contact:   Dr Harendra Parekh

Title:  Development of bioresponsive drug/gene carrier systems Contact:   Dr Harendra Parekh , Dr Karnaker Tupally

Title:  Bioresponsive porous silicon-polymer composite nano- and micro-particles for oral protein delivery Contact:   Dr Amirali Popat

Title:  Mesoproous silica nanoparticles synthesis and application in drug delivery, diagnosis and therapeutic protein delivery Contact:   Dr Amirali Popat

Title:  Inorganic nanoparticles for targeting bacterial biofilms Contact:   Dr Amirali Popat

Pharmaceutical Biology

Title:  Calcium homeostasis in cancer: identification and characterisation of novel drug targets  Contact:  Professor Greg Monteith  and  Professor Sarah Roberts-Thomson

Title:  Identification and characterization of novel ion and drug transporters and the design of novel high throughput screening assays for new pharmaceuticals Contact:   Professor Greg Monteith

Title:  Physiological regulation and the role of calcium transporters   Contact:   Professor Greg Monteith

Title:  Morphine and metastasis Contact:   Associate Professor Marie-Odile Parat

Title:  Role of caveolar proteins in glioblastoma Contact:   Associate Professor Marie-Odile Parat

Title:  Effect of perioperative pharmacotherapy of cancer patients on tumour Biology  Contact:   Associate Professor Marie-Odile Parat ,  Dr Ben Ross  and  Professor Nick Shaw

Biomedicinal Discovery and Development

Title:  Design, synthesis and evaluation of novel molecules for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease Contact:   Dr Ben Ross

Title:  Computer-aided design, synthesis and evaluation of new drugs for cancer, pain and neurodegenerative diseases Contact:   Dr Ben Ross

Pharmacy Education Research Centre

No current projects available.

Alan Grant-Taylor Memorial Scholarship: Community Pharmacy Practice

Find out more about the Alan Grant-Taylor Memorial Scholarship

UQ Summer and Winter Research Programs

Coordinated by the UQ Student Employability Centre, these programs provide an opportunity for scholars to work with a researcher in a formal research environment in their area of interest.

By participating in a program students will gain valuable academic and professional opportunities, develop analytical, critical thinking, and communication skills, and have an opportunity to cultivate links with industry and academic contacts. 

It is also a chance to ‘test drive’ research before embarking on further research studies or higher degree research projects. Participation is open to undergraduate students and Masters by coursework students.

All students participating in the summer and winter programs will receive a scholarship. General information on the program, including how to apply, is available from the UQ Student Employability Centre’s program website .

Please see our Summer and Winter Research Program page for a full list of the available programs.

• Research Areas
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Hot Topics in Pharmacy Practice

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Welcome to Hot Topics in Pharmacy Practice which features a variety of episodes covering emerging trends, key topics and areas across medicine. This podcast series will feature lively discussions from subject matter experts and members.

Related Links

Mitigating Risks, Maximizing Care: Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) and Specialty Medications

August 13, 2024

Student Well-being and Resilience: A Conversation with PharmD Candidates

August 1, 2024

Top Sterile Compounding Questions Answered

July 12, 2024

Demystifying Immediate Use: What’s NOT Category 1, 2, or 3

July 3, 2024

FLiRTing with COVID - Are We Out of the Woods Yet?

June 21, 2024

Navigating the Waters of Payer Contracting

Jun 10, 2024

COVID-19: So What’s New?

April 26, 2024

Compliance with USP Chapter in Small and Rural Hospitals

April 17, 2024

CPA Series: Collaborative Practice Agreements in Specialty Pharmacy - Qualitative Data Provides Guidance for Implementation

April 9, 2024

Research that Moves Pharmacy Forward: Conversations with the 2023 ASHP Foundation Literature Awardees

April 2, 2024

Optimizing PARP Inhibitors Through Applying Evolving Technology and Clinical Evidence for Markers of Homologous Recombination Repair

What you need to know about obesity and newer treatments – part 2, what you need to know about obesity and newer treatments – part 1, managing biosimilar adoption in specialty pharmacy.

January 10, 2024

Midyear Clinical Meeting Speaker Series: Drs. Angela Cheng-Lai and Angela Slampak-Cindric

November 29, 2023

Top 4 Tips for Residency Success: Insights from "Get The Residency" Book

November 21, 2023

Be Antibiotics Aware: Pharmacists Collaborating with State and Local Health Departments to Optimize Antibiotic Use

November 20, 2023

The Long and Short of Long COVID

November 17, 2023

ISMP Targeted Medication Best Practices for Community Pharmacy Practice

November 13, 2023

Midyear Clinical Meeting Speaker Series: Drs. Antonia Akrap, Delaram Bahmander, and Samantha Roberts

November 10, 2023

Midyear Clinical Meeting Speaker Series: Patti Kienle and Dr. Michael Ganio discuss sterile compounding education

November 3, 2023

Midyear Clinical Meeting Speaker Series: Drs. Kate Cozart & Lisa Buss Preszler

November 1, 2023

• Midyear Clinical Meeting 2022
• Match Day Resources
• continuing education
• drug shortages
• policy positions and guidelines
• for presenters
• get involved in a meeting

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Pharmacy Research Topics

Research Topic Ideas for Biology

Pharmacy research ideas encompasses a variety of topics dealing with drugs and pharmaceuticals. Some broad areas of pharmaceutical research relate to drug delivery, pharmaceutical cell biology, medicinal chemistry and medicine management. Faculty and graduate students at pharmaceutical colleges typically engage in such research, and some go on to develop new drugs and delivery methods.

TL;DR (Too Long; Didn't Read)

For students pursing doctorate degrees, pharmacy research offers many topics for a thesis, such as developing new drugs for cancer treatments, drug delivery methods, pharmaceutical cell biology and medicine management. Other topic ideas include plants as a source of medicinal products, interaction of drugs with RNA, synthetic medicines and many more.

Cancer Drug Studies

Cancer drug studies represent one type of pharmacological research topic. For instance, researchers study the role of steroid drugs in the growth of breast cancer. Other topics include the development of new cancer therapies and using targeted approaches for drug delivery to treat cancer. These types of studies aim to help patients deal with cancer and better handle the effects of cancer.

Drug Delivery

Another major topic for pharmacy research relates to drug delivery. One such research study at looks at the design and evaluation of drug delivery systems, emphasizing some methods of delivery such as liposomes and liquid crystals. Another research project studies the immediate environment of the lung, particularly how a person reacts to inflammatory stress and the use of drug treatments. Investigators use human lung epithelial cell culture for the study, studying humans as well as animals.

Pharmaceutical Cell Biology

Research in the area of pharmaceutical cell biology aims to understand basic cell biology and relate the findings to diseases in humans. Some such research projects in this area have dealt with topics such as inflammation processes in human disease, mechanisms for cell-to-cell communications and mechanisms of carcinogenesis. This sort of research is likely to involve close work with biologists who have similar research interests in these sorts of topics.

Medicine Management

Medicines management research looks into the cost effectiveness of new interventions that aim to improve the health of patients. Some of this research focuses on older people and on mental illness along with medicine management. These topics deal with the evaluation of pharmacist-led services, interventions that improve the adherence of medications, consultation skills, medication review services and interventions for reducing the problems that come about as a result of dysphagia.

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51 Research topics related to Pharmacy

• November 26, 2022
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Looking for research topics related to Pharmacy? this page might help you come up with ideas. Research topics are subjects or issues researchers are interested in when conducting research. A well-defined research topic is the starting point of every successful research project. Choosing a topic is an ongoing process by which researchers explore, define, and refine their ideas.

There are many research topics related to  Pharmacy , depending on your specializations and interests. The topics below are only for guides. We do not encourage writing on any of them because thousands of people visit this page to also get an idea of what topics to write on.

Pharmacy is the science and practice of discovering, producing, preparing, dispensing, reviewing and monitoring medications, aiming to ensure the safe, effective, and affordable use of medicines The main purposes of research topics related to Pharmacy are to inform action, gather evidence for theories, and solutions to problems, and contribute to developing knowledge.

• A Pharmaceutical Equivalence Study Of The Selected Azithromycin  Mg Brands On The [Country] Market
• A Study Of Treatment And Management Procedures Of Peptic Ulcers In Hospitals In [Country]
• Assessment On Analysis Of Water Pollution By Phosphate
• Availability And Storage Of Vaccines In Community Pharmacies
• Antibiotic Sensitivity Patterns Of Staphylococcus Aureus To Methillicin In Clinical Samples At…
• Antihyperlipidemic And Antioxidant Effects Of Phaseolus Vulgaris In [Country]
• Antimicrobial Activity Of Methanol Extract And Fractions Of Moringa Oleifera Lam.
• Assessing Undergraduate Students’ Motivation To Study Pharmacy, Attitudes And Future Career Professional Choices In Universities Of …..
• Assessment Of Knowledge, Attitudes And Practices Of Pharmacovigll, Ance Among Health Care Practitioners At The ….. Hospital
• Assessment Of Quality Of Metronidazole Tablet Brands Sold In Pharmacies In [Location].
• Assessment On Analysis Of Water Pollution By Phisphate In The [Location]
• Assessment Of Effective Use Of Anti-Epileptic Drug Therapy Among Patients At [Location]
• Assessment Of Health Workers’ Adherence To Standard Treatment Guidelines In the Management Of Typhoid Fever At [Location]
• Assessment Of The Chemical Composition And Pesticide Properties Of Cassia Didymobotrya Ash On Myzus Persicae Affecting Tomato Crops In [Location]
• Assessment Of The Quality And Dissolution Profiles Of Branded Fixed Dose Artemetherilumefantrine Tablets Sold At Pharmacies In [Location]
• Availability And Storage Of Vaccines In Community Pharmacies In Some Selected Communities In [Location]
• Determination Of The Microbial Contamination Of Disinfectant And Antiseptic Produced In [Location]
• Determining The Recreational Health Practices By Pregnant Women In Selected Antenatal Clinics
• Development And Validation Of Spectrophotometric Methods For The Determination Of Risperidone In Pure And Tablet Dosage Forms
• Drugs Use Practices In Fako Division: A Case Study Of [Location]
• Estimation Of The Effect Of Cisampelous Owanrensis Benzene Fraction On Glucose Absorption Across The Intestinal Epithelium Of Wister Rats On Aloxan-Induced Diabetes
• Evaluation Of Antibreast And Antiprostate Cancer Activities Of Selected Medicinal Plants From Some Parts Of [Location]
• Factors Affecting Prevalence Of Self Medication Of Antibiotics Among Adult Population In [Location]
• Hypoglycemic Effects Of Sonchus Oleraceus (Moleta) In Normal Albino Rats
• Investigating The Presence Of Staphylococcus Aureus And Escherichia Coli In Dairy Products
• Investigation Of The Social And Economic Impact And Consequences Of Chronic Diseases On Low Income-Earning Family
• Isolation Of Microorganism Associated With Deterioration Of Bananas Fruits
• Inorganic Pollutants In Drinking Water In Mamfe Municipality: Implications On Water Safety And Cancer Risks For The Inhabitants
• Isolation And Identification Of Bacteria Associated With Wound Sepsis
• Isolation Of Microorganisms Associated With Deterioration Of Bananas Fruits In Buea Municipality
• Pharmacoeconomic Analysis Of Hiv/Aids Management Pharmacy
• Pharmacy Project Topics And Materials
• Phytochemical And Antimicrobial Analysis Of Mystetoe Leaves
• Preliminary Phytochemical And Antimicrobial Screening Of Flower And Stalk Of Mangifera Indica (Opioro Mango)
• Preliminary Phytochemical And Antimicrobial Screening Of Seed And Coat Of Citrus Sinensis
• Production Of Mosquitoes Repellants Insecticides (Mosquito Coil) Using Orange Peels (Cestrum)
• Profile Of Antibiotic Use At The Health Centre
• Pharmacoeconomic Analysis Of Hiv/Aids Management Pharmacy In Limbe Municipality
• Prevalence, Treatment, And Gametocyte Carriage In Children With Malaria At [Location]
• Profile Of Antibiotics Use At [Location]
• Recycling Waste Polyethylene Materials To Useful Products Via Pyrolysis
• Reviewing The Nutritional And Pharmacological Importance In Common Vegetables In [Location]
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• v.84(3); 2020 Mar

An Exploration of Pharmacy Education Researchers’ Perceptions and Experiences Conducting Qualitative Research

Antonio a. bush.

a UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

b Guest Editor, American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education , Arlington, Virginia

Mauriell Amechi

c Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia

Adam Persky

d Associate Editor, American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education , Arlington, Virginia

Objective. To investigate pharmacy education researchers’ experiences in conducting qualitative research and their perceptions of qualitative research in pharmacy education

Methods. A phenomenological approach was used to conduct one-time, in-depth interviews with 19 participants from 12 schools and colleges of pharmacy. Interview transcripts were coded and themes were identified using a modified form of the Sort and Sift, Think and Shift method of data analysis.

Results. Faculty members were the largest subgroup in the sample, followed by graduate students, postdoctoral fellows/scholars, and residents. Pharmacy education researchers had varying levels of training in conducting qualitative research and some had none at all. Salient findings included that pharmacy educators’ lack of training and exposure to qualitative research was a barrier to entry to conducting qualitative research; the lack of understanding and value of qualitative research in pharmacy education impacts the acceptability of qualitative research projects in Journals and academic meetings; and qualitative research offers several benefits in answering complex research questions.

Conclusion. The application of rigorous qualitative research in pharmacy education holds great potential in addressing complex and evolving healthcare problems. This work provides empirical evidence of the ongoing anecdotal dialogue that has long existed in pharmacy education concerning why some researchers are hesitant to conduct qualitative research, the challenges encountered by those who employ qualitative approaches, and the benefits qualitative approaches provide.

INTRODUCTION

Practitioners and researchers in health professions fields are increasingly recognizing the value and critical role of employing rigorous qualitative research approaches in addressing complex and evolving healthcare problems. 1-5 Unlike quantitative inquiry, qualitative research can provide holistic insights into why people engage in particular actions or how they experience them. 1-5 In-depth interviews, focus groups, and participant observations, among other methods frequently employed in health professions research, have also been vital research tools in pharmacy education. For instance, while some studies focus exclusively on qualitative methods, others have applied this approach to complement or explain quantitative results or serve as a preceding exploratory method to guide quantitative approaches (ie, mixed methods). 5-7 Nevertheless, as some researchers have noted, qualitative research methods remain considerably underutilized by most pharmacy education researchers. 1,5,8 Moreover, ongoing calls (and guidelines) for more rigorous standards in reporting qualitative research are pervasive in the health professions literature. 1-5

Qualitative research involves the study of social phenomena in natural settings, delving into the meaning, experiences, and views of the participant in the world. 1,9 Compared to quantitative research, qualitative research approaches offer the advantages of an emergent and fluid design, the exploration of a problem in natural settings, and the ability to capture participants’ meanings via rich, thick descriptions. 1,9 Notwithstanding the multiple strengths of qualitative research methods, a significant divide exists among researchers on issues of ontology and epistemology and the standards for methodological rigor. In light of present debates and the increasing significance of this methodological approach, it is essential for pharmacy education researchers to reassess their experience with and preparation for conducting qualitative research. To advance qualitative scholarship within the field, researchers must leverage rigorous qualitative research methods consistent with guidelines issued by the Journal .

The purpose of this study was to investigate pharmacy education researchers’ experiences conducting qualitative research and their perceptions of qualitative research in pharmacy education. Three central research questions guided this study: What concerns impede pharmacy educators from employing qualitative research? What are the barriers and challenges of employing qualitative research in pharmacy education? What are pharmacy educators’ perceptions of the benefits of employing qualitative research?

A phenomenological qualitative approach was used to address the study’s guiding questions. The phenomenological approach best positioned us to understand the participants’ experiences and make meaning of the phenomena under study. 10 This exploratory approach was suitable because no systematic research had yet been published on this topic. The study was approved by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects in Research.

One-time, in-depth interviews were conducted with 19 participants using a semi-structured protocol. Purposeful sampling (ie, participant selection according to a set of predetermined criteria) was used to capture multiple perspectives and explore information-rich cases. 9 Participants were selected based on the following predetermined criteria: they were identified as a pharmacy faculty, postdoctoral fellow/scholar, resident, graduate student, and/or staff member; they were affiliated with an accredited school/college of pharmacy; and they had experience conducting pharmacy education research (eg, quantitative, qualitative, and/or mixed methods).

To begin recruitment, the primary investigator sent an introductory email to pharmacy education researchers via listservs (ie, email distribution lists) and contacts from pharmacy education research centers. The researchers began with listservs from two nationally recognized centers for pharmacy education research: The Wulling Center for Innovation and Scholarship in Pharmacy Education (W-CISPE) at the University of Minnesota, and the Center for Innovative Pharmacy Education and Research at the University of Chapel Hill. These centers were selected because of their dedication to advancing educational research and scholarship in pharmacy education and their expansive listservs of collaborators. In addition to these centers, information on the research project was sent to other pharmacy education insiders across the United States for dissemination. Consistent with snowball sampling, in the initial recruitment email, prospective participants were asked to forward the email to other contacts who might be interested and fit the inclusion criteria. 9 Before the interview, participants completed an informed consent form and demographic survey online (eg, level of education attained, employee or trainee classification, and prior experience conducting qualitative research). The majority of the interviews were conducted via a video-conference call, while the rest were facilitated in-person or via telephone. Modified from previous work completed by Povee and Roberts, 11 our interview protocol questions explored several topics such as how participants defined qualitative research, their past experiences using qualitative research, their exposure to formal or informal training related to qualitative research, and their perceptions of how qualitative approaches might be used to advance pharmacy education research. Each interview was audio recorded. Interviews lasted from 30 to 45 minutes, on average. Upon completion of the interviews, the audio data were professionally transcribed by a third-party (ie, Rev.com , San Francisco, CA). The de-identified transcripts were then uploaded to a password protected drive to begin analysis. Participants did not receive any incentive for participation.

We employed a modified form of the Sort and Sift, Think and Shift method to analyze the data. 12 This approach “is an iterative process whereby analysts dive into data to understand its content, dimensions and properties, and then step back to assess what they have learned and to determine next steps.” 12 The Sort and Sift, Think and Shift method is informed by a variety of key qualitative components including: Labov’s six identifiable elements of storytelling (abstract, orientation, complicating action, evaluation, result or resolution, and coda), 13 Seidel’s model of qualitative data analysis process (ie, collecting, thinking, noticing, and engaging), 14 and five common qualitative traditions (ie, phenomenology, grounded theory, narrative, ethnography, and case study). The comprehensiveness of the Sort and Sift, Think and Shift process developed a unique framework for data analysis, conducted through several rounds of coding, review, and consensus building.

The first step in the data analysis process was selecting the five most substantive interviews to review. Then, qualitative data analysis software (ie, Atlas.ti, v.1.6.0; Scientific Software Development GmbH; Berlin, Germany) was used to review each interview transcript and highlight powerful segments of the data (ie, pulse quotations) that were meaningful, interesting, and/or impactful (ie, first round open-coding).

Next, PowerPoint was used to develop a visual depiction of each of the reviewed transcripts (ie, episode profiles) affording an opportunity to connect the data and identify relevant topics within each transcript across three predetermined themes: pharmacy educators’ qualitative research experiences, barriers and challenges when considering and conducting qualitative research in pharmacy education, and benefits of employing qualitative research in pharmacy education. Topics (or categories) were selected if they were considered to be relevant to the purpose of the research, impactful, comprehensible, and/or connected to other topics. Upon completion, the five episode profiles were compared and topics were identified across the data. Next, the identified topics were used to develop a codebook. The codebook consisted of a code name, description of the code, and a sample participant quotation for each code. The codebook was then reviewed by members of the research team. The analysts met to discuss any areas of disagreement and come to consensus. The codebook was then modified to reflect the agreed upon changes.

Next, the modified codebook was used to code all interviews in Atlas.ti (second round coding). Upon completion of second round coding, the data were exported from Atlas.ti to an Excel document for a third round of coding. During the third round of coding, each coded quotation was reviewed to ensure that it was captured under the appropriate code and combined similar codes to develop themes and subthemes related to each research question. The final themes were reviewed by all members of the research team, and areas of disagreement were discussed and consensus was established. The employment of this rigorous data analysis process, which included several rounds of extensive coding, afforded us with an opportunity to glean a comprehensive understanding of the participants’ experiences and enhance the trustworthiness of our study and results.

Interviews were completed with 19 participants with experience conducting research in pharmacy education. Demographically, faculty members (including administrators and/or staff members with faculty appointments) (n=15) represented the largest numeric subgroup in the sample, followed by graduate students (n=2), postdoctoral fellows/scholars (n=1), and residents (n=1) (Table 2). All participants had attained either a professional degree and/or a doctoral degree and represented 12 different schools and colleges of pharmacy. The majority of the participants had experience conducting qualitative research, and had either led or contributed to an average of three qualitative projects.

Several themes emerged from this exploratory study. The themes are presented below as aligned with the research questions. Appendix 1 provides additional exemplar participant quotes. Pseudonyms are used in place of the participants’ real names. Participant pseudonyms were produced by an online random name generator ( http://random-name-generator.info/random ). Two themes relating to pharmacy educators’ qualitative training experiences emerged. Specifically, participants noted that they gained qualitative research training through both formal and informal means. Some participants received formal qualitative research training via courses taken to fulfill requirements for a master’s degree (ie, as a resident) or doctorate degree. The levels of training varied. Some participants took courses with a specific focus on qualitative research (ie, Introduction to Qualitative Research). For example, Leonard, a faculty member noted, “I got full training in qualitative through my master's [degree] and my Ph.D., but primarily in my Ph.D. is where I went more in-depth with it.” Other participants noted that while they had taken educational research design courses, the units specific to qualitative research were occasionally distributed throughout the courses. For example, in describing his training, a resident, noted, “I would say it would be limited…There are a couple [of] classes that either directly or indirectly include qualitative research content…sometimes it's like a whole class on qualitative research, but then sometimes it's just looped in through the course as we go.” Other pharmacy education researchers received what Sylvia, a faculty member, referred to as “on the job training” or informal training. Specifically, these participants were self-taught, acquiring their qualitative knowledge through a variety of alternative mechanisms.

One way participants received training in qualitative research was by engaging in professional development or continuing education opportunities (eg, workshops, research institutes, short courses, and sessions at professional conference). Participants also received training through trial and error, by designing and engaging in qualitative research projects and figuring it out along the way. Roberta described this as “diving right in.” Another faculty member, Erin, who had not received formal qualitative research training stated, “I haven’t received any formal qualitative research training. I think I've mainly learned through jumping in with a few projects here or there.”

Participants also received informal training by reading research and methodology articles and reviewing other sources, such as books, to assist them in designing qualitative research projects: “I've been reading about it on my own, whether that's through books or articles” (Priscilla, faculty member). Willie, a faculty member noted, “I think reading the educational research, you begin to understand what people do when they [conduct] qualitative analysis or do qualitative research. So reading other qualitative studies and reading about qualitative research to help us better understand how to do it.”

The participants also shared how they sought training from colleagues, faculty members, and staff members with expertise in qualitative research within their pharmacy school, at their university, and/or at other institutions. For example, Erin, a faculty member, stated, “So, we'll go to an expert…and just kind of learn by watching their analysis of that information as best I can...So, kind of learning how to think through the methodology of a particular project, and the steps that we should go through to have a valid research process.”

The next set of themes conveyed the barriers and challenges the participants faced when conducting qualitative research in pharmacy education. Three barriers and challenges were found. First, participants noted how their lack of training and limited exposure to qualitative research presented a “barrier to entry” to considering and/or conducting qualitative research. Another pharmacy education researcher, Roberta, stated, “Nowhere in our pharmacy education, at least nowhere in my pharmacy education, did we talk about qualitative research.” Participants noted that quantitative approaches (eg, clinical trials) were primarily emphasized during their pharmacy training. As expressed by faculty member Armando, “I'm more comfortable with quantitative because I was trained…to do quantitative types of research.” However, participants did express that increased training and exposure to qualitative research, and greater access to colleagues with such expertise would be helpful in increasing their understanding of the value of qualitative research. As Erin explained, “If we became more familiar with how to do qualitative research and understand it, then…we would probably become more accepting of it.”

The second barrier identified by the participants included a variety of challenges surrounding recruiting participants, data collection, and data analysis. Concerning recruitment and data collection, participants described difficulties including managing the logistics of scheduling interviews and focus groups, as well as the time needed to collect qualitative data. Evelyn, a graduate student, stated, “I think it's challenging to recruit participants because you're asking for a fairly significant amount of their time... I think one of my biggest barriers, number one, is just feeling comfortable asking people for their time...Then, number two, finding participants who are willing to give up their time.”

Participants in this study also discussed challenges related to the data analysis process. Spencer, a faculty member, stated, “[Qualitative research] generates a lot of data, which is good but that's also a disadvantage in that then you've got to analyze that data.” Erin expressed similar concerns related to analyzing qualitative data: “It's harder to access the information and process it. In clinical research, it was very easy to download 100 patients' hemoglobin A1Cs and rapidly get that into an average with means and standard deviations, and run T-tests on them, and all of that kind of stuff. I think the barrier, [or] onus, of [conducting] qualitative research is processing large amounts of information.” Issues related to analyzing qualitative data included converting audio-recorded interviews into transcribed text, and securing the funds to pay someone or a service to transcribe the recordings. Some participants, such as Mark, a resident, noted that funding for interview transcription within qualitative research projects was scant, “… I just begged to get funding for transcription...even when you collaborate with faculty, I think some of them don't really have research money, and that can be difficult. So, I think if there [were] a pool or something that we could apply for that would give the resources and funding, it [would] make it a lot easier. Because there is a lot of work ahead to transcribe that data, analyze it, [and get the paper submitted to] the journal.”

Lastly, participants expressed issues concerning the acceptability, perceived value, and lack of appreciation for qualitative research in pharmacy education. These concerns triggered apprehension for those considering qualitative approaches and served as a barrier to publication for scholars who frequently used the approach. Carmen, a graduate student, stated, “In the pharmacy world, when I’ve tried to conduct qualitative research, I feel this insecurity for legitimacy… I have to make it look more like quantitative methods for it to be accepted.” The participants expressed that qualitative research was open to more scrutiny than quantitative approaches and was perceived to be considered less scientific than quantitative approaches, which may impact the legitimacy of qualitative research in pharmacy education. One faculty member, Spencer, described the divide between quantitative and qualitative approaches as a “paradigm war.” Kelly noted that formal training might contribute to the acceptance and perceived value of qualitative approaches: “because we're not trained formally in qualitative methodology, there is less acceptance of it.”

Because of perceptions of the acceptability and value of qualitative approaches, participants expressed that it has been difficult to get qualitative research projects accepted for publication in prominent pharmacy education journals and at pharmacy education conferences. The participants communicated that, in some instances, reviewers had questioned the veracity of [their] work,” “wanted to see numbers (instead of words),” and had limited understanding of qualitative research data collection and analysis. Participants also noted that challenges existed in determining the best approach to present their qualitative work through manuscripts. Roberta discussed the challenge of writing as a qualitative researcher: “Qualitative researchers have to be really prolific writers, and describe and tell stories, and paint the picture, and describe the meanings behind what [their] participants are telling [them] or showing [them].” Participants also noted that the jargon used in qualitative research compared to that used in quantitative research might contribute to qualitative approaches not being understood by readers.

The final themes summarized participants’ views of the benefits of employing qualitative research in pharmacy education. Three benefits surfaced from the interviews. First, the participants discussed how the exploratory nature of qualitative research affords an opportunity to investigate a variety of topics in which little to no research exists. The researchers noted that the landscape of pharmacy education is changing. For example, Evelyn stated, “I think our field has a lot to offer, especially because it's evolving right now… I think capturing it via qualitative methods is …very valuable. In light of the ongoing transformations to pharmacy education and practice, participants expressed that different perspectives might be needed to explore unknown topics. As Sylvia, a faculty member, expressed, “I think [qualitative approaches] gives us a different way to look at some of the things that we're doing on the educational side of things, that we haven't had before. I think it's a different way to communicate... those findings, that information. I think there's a need for it...[We may] gain some information that will help us do things moving forward.”

The second benefit noted by participants was that qualitative approaches could be employed to answer complex questions that quantitative methods may inadequately address. Verna, a faculty member, noted, “I think a lot of the questions that we need to ask can't be answered quantitatively. I still come to this with a bias that quantitative research answers some questions better than qualitative research can, but there's definitely a place for qualitative research….” Similarly, another participant shared their reasoning for employing qualitative approaches: “It's been pretty clear that multiple questions can't be answered quantitatively, so that's why I'm branching out into qualitative research.” However, participants also noted how qualitative and quantitative approaches could be combined (ie, mixed methods) to provide a holistic view of a research problem. Verna explained that she saw qualitative research as a type of precursor that would lead to other questions that could be answered with quantitative research. “I see the two go kind of hand-in-hand because pharmacists like numbers. Let's face it; they want to look at the numbers, too. But I see that qualitative research has the potential to inform the quantitative research and maybe help expedite or progress that area of pharmacy education research as well.” The final benefit expressed by the participants was that qualitative methods provide greater depth of inquiry via the collection of “rich” data. For example, Erin, a faculty member, noted that qualitative approaches afford an opportunity to “put a human touch on your study” and hear the voices of the participants.

The purpose of this study was to explore pharmacy education researchers’ experiences and perceptions of qualitative research. Several themes were found presenting opportunities for the Academy to address gaps in the preparation of researchers in or entering the field. The first two themes reflected the dichotomy of training experiences. Just as faculty members are rarely formally trained to teach, they also are unlikely to be formally trained in qualitative methods, or educational research broadly. Thus, faculty members often seek out professional development to learn these desired skills, which may be problematic for those members with limited resources or insufficient opportunities. This is especially noteworthy considering that researchers (ie, humans) are the “instruments” in qualitative research. 10,15 As Kuh and Andreas stated, “The integrity of qualitative data depends on the competence of the data collection instruments—human beings. That is, the data are only as good as the qualifications of the inquirer.” 15,16

While it may be challenging for faculty members to obtain formal training in qualitative methods, the pharmacy education academy has expanded its offerings in recent years. For example, the Journal will release a special-themed issue on qualitative research to provide frameworks and resources and has previously published similar work. 1 Additionally, the American Association of College of Pharmacy has sponsored presentations at various conferences regarding qualitative research. 17,18 Further, in 2014, the Journal of Academic Medicine , published standards for reporting qualitative research, 4 and in 2011, the Journal of Graduate Medicine published a series on qualitative methods. 19

Like other faculty development models, a mentoring model or community of practice may also be appropriate to help develop qualitative research skills. In fact, some pharmacy education researchers included in the study expressed a need for such mentoring and suggested that increased exposure, training, and understanding of qualitative research may increase its value and acceptability in pharmacy education. This mentoring could be formed through schools and colleges of pharmacy partnering with qualitative research experts within their institutions (ie, schools of education, psychology, etc.) and with national organizations or research consulting firms.

Because faculty members may not have read a substantial number of qualitative research studies and have no formal training in this area, they may be more averse to engaging in this approach. This is consistent with self-determination theory, where self-efficacy is a driving force of motivation. 20 This barrier can be addressed in two ways. The first is increased training through the methods mentioned previously. The second is to increase the presence of qualitative research in educational publications read by pharmacy educators. Providing model papers reinforces the appropriate methods and rigor of qualitative research. Journal editors could play an important role here by recognizing and selecting these quality papers for publication and subsequently promoting the works.

Participants also discussed the acceptability or appreciation of qualitative research. Most pharmacy educators are more familiar with quantitative methods. Thus, the lack of appreciation for qualitative approaches may result from an inadequate understanding of the underpinnings of the methodology, which may be linked to the lack of training and exposure to the approach in pharmacy education. 21,22 This issue could be addressed by having better examples within the literature of qualitative methods and manuscripts that use qualitative methods to “close the loop” on research questions.

When discussing barriers, participants cited the process of conducting the research. One challenge was time, specifically, the time researchers must spend recruiting participants, and collecting, transcribing, and coding the data. According to Archibald and Munce, when conducting qualitative research, recruiting participants “is often the most challenging and resource intensive aspect of a study.” 23 Frequently, researchers misjudge the amount of time needed to recruit participants as well as the participants’ interest, availability, and eligibility to participate in the study. 23 Perhaps this is not only an issue for qualitative research but also recruiting participants for educational research projects in general. However, in qualitative research, the logistics and time surrounding participant recruitment and data collection (eg, interviews, focus groups) are especially problematic if researchers fail to anticipate challenges and consider options to address these challenges. 23 Archibald and Munce review some of the potential challenges and outline several strategies to employ: designate a member of the research team to lead recruitment efforts; create a recruitment protocol with clear instructions, aligning recruitment strategies with the participant sample (eg, different strategies will be needed to recruit faculty vs students vs patients); anticipate prolonged engagement with the study site and gatekeepers prior and during recruitment to build trust; and provide incentives for participation. 23

According to Harper and Kuh, qualitative data analysis are often perceived to be “labor intensive and cumbersome.” 15 Not surprisingly, some participants with formal qualitative research training identified this as a barrier. Such feelings are amplified for those participants delving into projects with little to no formal training. To alleviate such challenges, some participants noted that they sought the qualitative research expertise of their colleagues. Using a collaborative, team-based approach may decrease the time needed to analyze data (ie, increase efficiency) and enhance meaning-making. 15 However, employing a team-based approach is not without challenges. When developing teams, it is important to be thoughtful about roles, responsibilities, and expectations and have consensus on managing and analyzing the data to increase productivity. 24

The participants described several benefits of qualitative research. The benefits centered around the richness of the data, the ability to answer questions for which quantitative approaches may not be best positioned to answer, and the exploratory nature of qualitative research. As stated by Givens, “The term rich data describes the notion that qualitative data and their subsequent representation in [a] text should reveal the complexities and the richness of what is being studied… In short, rich, thick description builds on rich data to grab readers, giving them a sense that they are there, experiencing what the researcher is representing.” 25 Much of the educational research conducted in pharmacy education centers on people (ie, learners, trainees, faculty members, and/or patients). Conveying their experiences using rich data may provide valuable context and perspective, 26 and help to inform decisions and policies made to improve educational outcomes. Participants also mentioned how employing a mixed method approach may allow for a more holistic picture of a problem. In some instances with mixed methods approaches, qualitative data may inform a quantitative approach. For example, after analyzing qualitative data, a survey could be developed to capture a broader audience’s opinions. Conversely, a qualitative approach may follow quantitative approach to delve deeper into the “how” and “why” of the data.

While our work provides key information to propel the dialogue more work should be done to explore the barriers to entry into, challenges with conducting with, and the benefits of qualitative research. Considering the aforementioned, we offer suggestions for future research to provide a deeper and more holistic understanding of these phenomena. For example, the themes emerging from our data may provide a framework for a researcher to sample a larger number of educational researchers via a survey or mixed methods approach to find keys to success and best practices among those who have been successful in conducting qualitative research. There are limitations in this study that should be addressed in future research. Specifically, the study focused on the experiences of a variety of pharmacy educators including faculty members, students, and residents. However, the majority of participants in this study were faculty members. Thus, future studies may consider delving deeper into the experiences of students and residents. As trainees, understanding their perspectives and knowledge of qualitative approaches and research training experiences could provide key insight into what is needed to prepare the next generation of scholar-practitioners.

Despite the increasing application of rigorous qualitative approaches in many health professions fields, qualitative research remains mostly underutilized in pharmacy. In this study, we interviewed 19 pharmacy education researchers and cataloged their perceptions of and experiences with conducting qualitative research. Our findings provide empirical evidence to the anecdotal dialogue that has long existed in pharmacy education to explain why some researchers are hesitant to conduct qualitative research, the challenges encountered by those who employed qualitative approaches, and the benefits that qualitative approaches provide. The findings from this study are especially useful in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences as the need to address complex problems intensifies in a rapidly evolving environment. Whether as a standalone method or combined with quantitative approaches, qualitative approaches may provide a suitable solution to advance pharmacy education research.

Appendix 1.

Themes and Participant Quotes From Interviews Regarding Views on Qualitative Research

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Pharmacists play a vital role in improving health care, says Lucas Berenbrok

Many Americans face hurdles in getting health care, but almost all Americans can easily get to a pharmacy.

That’s the central premise driving much of the work of Lucas Berenbrok (PHARM ’13G, MED ’17), an associate professor of pharmacy and therapeutics in Pitt’s School of Pharmacy. He’s interested in the ways pharmacies can be entry points or delivery centers for certain aspects of health care.

During the COVID-19 shutdown in 2020, Berenbrok began a project to map the locations of the approximately 62,000 pharmacies in the country, to learn how pharmacies might be filling gaps in people’s health care needs.

That work to visualize pharmacy access grew to be an especially valuable tool over the past year, as many independent pharmacies — as well as national chains like Rite Aid, CVS and Walgreens — shuttered locations, leading to worries over what are known as “pharmacy deserts.” The Associated Press even used the map this spring as part of a nationwide project on pharmacy closures.

Berenbrok also organized the inaugural Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid and Hearing Self-Care Symposium, held at Pitt on June 7. The event brought together thought leaders from pharmacy, audiology and public health to discuss how the newest class of hearing aids, which can be purchased over the counter (OTC), can increase patient access to hearing health care in the United States.

“What ties the two projects together is access,” Berenbrok says. “Pharmacies are in every neighborhood, and they’re open on nights, weekends, holidays, when some other health care providers might not be open. And so, people really look to pharmacies as a place where they can get health care, and they can help with their overall health and wellness.”

We spoke with Berenbrok about his work. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Pitt Magazine: How did you get interested in being a pharmacist?

Lucas Berenbrok: I liked the chemistry piece of it, I liked the science behind it, and I liked this idea that I could help people in a very specific way. I grew up in Beaver County, and my first job was working at Giant Eagle stocking shelves, getting buggies, and my favorite part of the job was standing at the end of the conveyor belt and bagging groceries because I got to talk to people. It made me feel a part of the community, and so that’s kind of how and why I gravitate toward community pharmacy, because I like being that staple and that face of a community.

When I was in pharmacy school at Pitt, I was doing research on how community pharmacists could do more than dispense medication; they could offer vaccinations and comprehensive medication reviews. In 2012, I went to the American Pharmacists Association’s Annual Meeting to compete in the Patient Counseling Competition to represent Pitt on a national stage. At that meeting, I placed in the top 10.  It gave me some confidence, like, “I’m pretty good at talking to patients and doing the things that the community pharmacists do best.”

How did your mapping project come about?

I wanted to prove this talking point — people often say that 90% of Americans live within five miles of pharmacy — but it’s difficult to find how that stat came to be. Figuring there’s a gap in the literature, I got together with some folks from the Department of Geology and Environmental Science here at Pitt — they’re the mapping experts — and some of my colleagues at the School of Pharmacy. We assumed then that the COVID-19 vaccines would be given at community pharmacies, so we wrote a white paper that talked about pharmacy locations, when vaccines would be available and predicted pharmacies would be a place where they would be distributed and administered. That paper came out two or three days before the emergency use authorization was granted for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. It was a very exciting time to have that analysis come out, and then see people look to it for vaccine planning initiatives.

Since then, we’ve applied the mapping to lots of different things that you can do at the community pharmacy. I have some projects with students looking at OTC birth control that just went on the market in the first quarter of 2024, and we have another group looking at OTC hearing aids. We’re able to apply where the maps are and to show that, when things are available at a community pharmacy, people can access them better.

How did you get involved with hearing aids?

In 2017, I was taking our first-year student pharmacists to senior community centers to do what we call a brown bag review. Seniors would bring their medications in a brown paper bag and then our students, with faculty, would review their medications and help with any questions or address safety and effectiveness.

I was thinking about other things that older adults need help with, and hearing came to mind. That’s how I connected with the audiology folks at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS). My long-term collaborator Elaine Mormer (a Pitt professor of audiology and the vice chair for clinical education communication science and disorders) had brought her students to do hearing screenings. Elaine looked at me and said, “Hey, you know a law was just signed that creates a new category of hearing aids that are going to be sold over the counter.”

No one in pharmacy was talking about this yet, but everyone in audiology was. And now we’ve developed a program to educate pharmacists about hearing health care and OTC hearing aids. We’re doing more research to find practice models and make sure that pharmacists are engaging with audiologists so it can be a team collaboration.

What about pharmacy closures? Are you seeing any patterns?

Over time, we'll start doing analysis to look at trends in the rate of closures. I also want to match this to openings, because the closure is only one side of the coin. If pharmacies are opening where pharmacies are closing, is there really a problem? Some other people have suggested that pharmacies are closing in lower-socioeconomic areas and opening in more affluent communities, but we haven’t done any of those analyses yet. That's going to be later in 2024.

When you got into this field, did you imagine that map-making would be an important part of your work?

You know, one of the ways that Pitt’s School of Pharmacy has been talking about PharmD, especially to prospective students, is how versatile that degree can be. Not everyone who graduates from pharmacy school ends up being a clinician — some go into managed care, some into consulting, some into the pharmaceutical industry — and so we like that talking point because it opens up this bigger world of opportunities for our graduates. Whenever I have students who work with me on projects, we always love to kind of spin in the fact that by doing this research, we’re advocating for what pharmacists can do. And we’re advocating for patients by expanding access. And I think that's a fun part of the research because we’re always looking for new ways in which the pharmacist can provide or bring value to the health system, to health care.

What do you wish more people knew about the role of pharmacists?

Pharmacy is an untapped resource and profession. We’re well trained. We’re the folks who get the most education on medications. And so part of our professional identity as pharmacists is as the medication experts, but we’re also health care providers and clinicians. When we think of pharmacists in this traditional dispensing role, that’s a very narrow view of what pharmacists are doing now.

Since COVID-19, there’s been a huge spotlight on our profession. We have an opportunity right now to capitalize on this limelight so that people can see us as clinicians and providers and people who can make a difference in public health. And I think our students are starting to see that, too. That’s part of the reason they’re attracted to pharmacy.