CPPD Event: Live Video Conference in Collaboration with MIU and University of Georgia

In December 2010, Qatar University (QU) College of Pharmacy held its first live video teleconference in collaboration with Misr International University (MIU) and the University of Georgia (UG). The live video conference was hosted by MIU and aired from Cairo, Egypt to one of the QU college classrooms. Professors from the UG College of Pharmacy delivered presentations and answered questions from MIU and QU attendees during the 4-hour event. Over 120 pharmacist and pharmacy associates from our partnering organizations registered for the event and received continuing education credits.

The first speaker was Dr. Russell May and his two presentations were titled “New Drugs Update 2010: A Formulary Approach” and "Implementing An Antimicrobial Stewardship Program in the Hospital Setting". Dr. May is a UG Clinical Professor in the Department of Clinical and Administrative Pharmacy. The second speaker was Dr. Diane Williams May and her presentation was titled “Implementing An Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Program in the Hospital Setting”. Dr. May is a UG Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical and Administrative Pharmacy and Campus Director for Experiential Training in Augusta, Georgia. The final speaker was Mr. Tad Gomez and his presentation was titled “Development of a Pharmacist-Managed Anticoagulation Clinic”. Mr. Gomez is the Director of Pharmacy and Director of Pharmacy Residency Programs at the Medical College of Georgia Health, Inc. in Augusta, Georgia and Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy.

The event was very well received by the attendees and was one of a series of continuing education sessions organized by the College of Pharmacy Continuing Pharmacy Professional Development Program.

Dean Jewesson commented that "…we plan for this to be the first of many international continuing education sessions that will further advancing the competencies of pharmacy practitioners and help us to achieve the nation's goal of world class education and health care delivery in this country. The program is also in alignment with the Supreme Council for Health plans for continuing education requirements to maintain pharmacist licensure. My thanks to MIU and the speakers for their contributions to our continuing education series, and to Drs. Sherief Khalifa, Nadir Kheir, Ms. King and the ITS team for making this important event possible."

All continuing education sessions are lecture captured by the college and posted on their website. (lecture capture 1) (lecture capture 2)

Faculty Research Seminar: Microbial Transformation: A Tool in Semi Synthesis and Drug Metabolism

Dr. Sherief Khalifa, Professor and Associate Dean QU CPH, gave a presentation at the College of Pharmacy's biweekly Faculty Research Seminar on December 28, 2010. Dr. Sherief presented on microbial transformation and its uses. He discussed how it's used as a tool in drug metabolism and synthesis. 

To view Dr. Sherief Khalifa's presentation slides and/or video capture, go to the following link.

Faculty Research Seminar: Healthcare Disparities and the Degree of Acculturation in Arab-American and Arab Immigrant Community of Louisiana 

Dr. Sara Al Dahir, Fullbright-Lecturer and Assistant Professor QU CPH, gave a presentation at the College of Pharmacy's biweekly Faculty Research Seminar on December 14, 2010. Dr. Sara presented on the healthcare situation within the Arab Community in Louisiana and her efforts to assess their healthcare disparities. She presented a very interesting picture of this minority group within the United States.  

To view Dr. Sara Al Dahir''s presentation slides and/or video capture, go to the following link.

Faculty Research Seminar: Qatar Speaks: Quality of Life of Caregivers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Dr. Nadir Kheir, Assistant Professor QU CPH, gave a presentation at the College of Pharmacy's biweekly Faculty Research Seminar on November 30, 2010. Dr. Nadir presented on  Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) with regard to a quality of life assessment.

To view Dr. Nadir Kheir's presentation slides and/or video capture, go to the following link.

CPPD Event: Issues Around Professional Pharmacy Practice (NAPRA Competency #3)

The 2nd CPPD event (2010 academic year) took place on Novemer 23, 2010 in the College of Pharmacy(CPH) premises at Qatar University. Thirty seven practicing pharmacists (from hospital, primary health care and community pharmacies) attended the event which was entitled: Issues Around Professional Pharmacy Practice (NAPRA Competency #3). The workshop was co-facilitated by Dr. Nadir Kheir (from QU-CPH) and Dr. Mike Fahey (from Hamad Medical Corporation).

Dr. Kheir started by providing an introduction on ethics and alluded to important ethical principles that constitute the guiding ethical framework within which healthcare professionals are expected to practice (Beneficence, nonmaleficence, respect of autonomy, and justice). Dr. Fahey then talked about the concept of professionalism and professional practice, and linked the four ethical principles to specific elements in competency standard # 3 in the NAPRA) document. Dr. Kheir concluded the presentations part by discussing methods to confront ethical dilemmas in pharmacy and explained a structured approach to resolve such dilemmas. Finally participants worked in groups on pharmacy-related case scenarios in which they were asked to identify ethical issues involved and suggest solutions to ethical dilemmas through the use of the structured strategies.

To view Dr. Nadir Kheir's slides and/or video capture, go to the following link.

Faculty Research Seminar: The Effect of Elevated Lipoproteins on the Electro Cardiac Properties of Amiodarone in Rat

Dr. Dalia Hamdy, Assistant Professor QU CPH, gave a presentation at the College of Pharmacy's biweekly Faculty Research Seminar on November 9, 2010. Dr. Dalia presented on Hyperlipidemia and  the effect of elevated lipoproteins levels on the electro cardiac properties of Amiodarone in rat. 

To view Dr. Dalia Hamdy's presentation slides and/or video capture, go to the following link.

CPPD Event: Competency-Based Professional Development: A Focus for 2010/11

Dr. Nadir Kheir (Coordinator, CPPD Program) gave an overview of the program plans for the 2010 academic year and outlined the strategy that will be adopted by the college for this period. He built on information provided by Dean Peter Jewesson, who provided some opening remarks at the launch event.  In preparation for future changes in Qatar where maintenance of licensure will be linked to evidence of professional competence, the college's CPPD program will focus on the further development of these competencies. The college has adopted the professional competencies for Canadian pharmacists at entry to practice standards as developed by National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA 2007).  These standards have been adopted in our BSc (Pharm) and PharmD degree programs and will act as the professional benchmark for our CPPD activities.  Through these activities, we will focus on identifying and narrowing the gap between the current and the desired pharmacy practice in this country and assist practitioners to provide current, rational, safe and cost-effective pharmaceutical information, products and services to patient groups and individuals.  Dr. Kheir used a clinical case to show how these competencies can be demonstrated in practice in a pharmacist-patient interaction in the community setting.

To view Dr. Nadir Kheir's slides and/or video capture, go to the following link.

Dr. Bridget Javed (Coordinator, SPEP Program) also delivered a presentation in which she provided an update of the SPEP program including an invitation to the audience to consider applying for future preceptor status.

To view Dr. Bridget Javed's presentation slides and/or video capture, go to the following link.

Faculty Research Seminar: The Price You Pay for Using Old Drugs. Colchicine for the Treatment of Acute Gout; Hypertension Treatment in Chronic Kidney Disease: Is Our Aim Off Target

Ms. Emily Black and Ms. Shahileen Remtulla, PharmD Students, UBC College of Pharmacy, gave presentations at the College of Pharmacy's biweekly Faculty Research Seminar on October 26, 2010. Ms. Emily presented on the clinical question: in a patient diagnosed with an acute gout flare, what is the evidence that Colchicine will resolve pain without causing intolerable side effects? Ms. Shahileen presented on the re-evaluation of the guidelines for hypertension treatment in chronic kidney disease.  

To view Ms. Emily's and Ms. Shahileen's presentation video capture, go to the following link.

Faculty Research Seminar: A Year in Acute Care Research - Could These Articles Change Your Practice?

Dr. Kerry Wilbur, Assistant Professor QU CPH, gave a presentation at the College of Pharmacy's biweekly Faculty Research Seminar on October 12, 2010. Dr. Kerry presented a review of articles that can change the way pharmacists practice. She discussed how thousands of articles pertaining to disease and drug therapy are published in global scientific literature annually and how they affect pharmacists.

To view Dr. Kerry Wilbur's presentation slides and/or video capture, go to the following link.

Faculty Research Seminar: Towards Cost-Effective Utilization of High-Cost Antifungals in Australian Hospitals

Dr. Daoud Al-Badriyeh, Assistant Professor QU CPH, gave a presentation at the College of Pharmacy's biweekly Faculty Research Seminar on September 28, 2010. Dr. Daoud discussed cost-effective utilization of high-cost systemic antifungals in Australian hospitals. His study looked at the growing cost of antifungals and ways to better utilize their use.

To view Dr. Daoud Al-Badriyeh's presentation slides and/or video capture, go to the following link.

Faculty Professional Development Seminar: QU College of Pharmacy and FIP: One Plus One Equals Three

Dr. Peter Jewesson, Professor and Dean, CPH gave a presentation at the College of Pharmacy's biweekly Faculty Professional Development Seminar on September 21, 2010. Dr. Jewesson provided the audience with a review of the vision and mission of the International Federation of Pharmacy (FIP) with an emphasis on the synergy that can be achieved by close working relationship between the college and this "meta" organization of over 120 members. Through the identification of 10 top reasons to work together, he encouraged faculty and students to adopt both a local and a global perspective when considering the advancement of pharmacy education, research and practice.

To view Dr. Peter Jewesson's presentation slides and/or video capture, go to the following link. 

Faculty Research Seminar: Tea Polyphenols and Cardiovascular Disease

Dr. Wandikayi Matowe, Assistant Professor QU CPH, gave a presentation at the College of Pharmacy's biweekly Faculty Research Seminar on May 31, 2010. Dr. Wandikayi gave the audience a background on the origin and history of tea. He discussed several studies that looked at tea polyphenols and their tie to cardiovascular disease. 

To view Dr. Wandikayi Matowe's presentation slides and/or video capture, go to the following link.

SPEP Event: A Focus on Student Evaluations

Dr. Bridget Javed, Assistant Professor and SPEP Coordinator, conducted 2 preceptor training session to prepare new and current preceptors for the upcoming summer and fall SPEP rotations. There were a total of 75 clinical preceptors present at this event.

The sessions focused on the following areas: student evaluations with a designing a pharmacy rotation, documentation of student activities and attendance, rotation learning objectives, policies and procedures, and other detailed information pertaining to the SPEP Program.

The presentations and discussions are available for online viewing for pharmacists unable to attend this session. To view, simply click on a link below. You will be given three viewing options. Choose "high speed connection" if you are have a broadband internet connection.

Dr. Bridget Javed Presentations (May 26, May 31 sessions): (slides) (video capture)  

CPPD Event: Breast Cancer: Pharmacists Opportunity in Patient Care

Dr. Maguy El Hajj, Assistant Professor, Clinical Pharmacy and Practice and Dr. Dora Stadler, Assistant Professor, Weill-Cornell Medical College in Qatar gave presentations highlighting the current evidence behind breast cancer risk and screening and research findings of pharmacist attitudes and activities in this regard. We were joined in this session by community activists and co-founders of Think Pink Qatar, Karen and Shaddy Al Kharouf, who shared their experiences and offered their perspectives on roles of pharmacists in advancing breast cancer awareness among women and men in Qatar.

This event was the first continuing education program coordinated by QU College of Pharmacy CPPD with WCMC-Q and we wish to also acknowledge our external partners, Think Pink and Qatar National Cancer Society for their contributions to this program promoting both community and hospital pharmacist public health opportunities.

The presentations and discussions are available for online viewing for pharmacists unable to attend this session. To view, simply click on a link below. You will be given three viewing options. Choose "high speed connection" if you are have a broadband internet connection.

Event Opening Introduction: (video capture)

Dr. Maguy El Hajj Presentation: (slides) (video capture)

Dr. Dora Stadler Presentation: (slides) (video capture) 

CPPD Event: Future Graduate Degree Programs Unveiled: PharmD, MSc (Pharm)

On May 3, 2010 the College of Pharmacy conducted its 6th Stakeholder Meeting. The meeting was attended by a large crowd of pharmacists from the State of Qatar. It was lead by Dr. Peter Jewesson, Dean of the College of Pharmacy. The session was geared toward pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who have an interest in pursuing a postgraduate pharmacy degree.

To view Dr. Peter Jewesson's presentation slides, go to the following link.

SPEP Event: Providing Effective Feedback Using Active Listening Skills

Ms. Sanaa Hamdan, MS. Pharm, Pharmacy Instructor, Health Sciences, College of the North Atlantic-Qatar and Dr. Bridget Javed, Assistant Professor and Coordinator, SPEP Program, QU CPH delivered two workshops to 64 clinical preceptors from hospital, clinic and community practice settings. These workshops provided an excellent opportunity for preceptors to gain further skills at providing feedback to students using active listening techniques. This will better prepare the preceptors for the upcoming SPEP rotations that will continue in July 2010.

Our sincere thanks to the College of North Atlantic - Qatar for acting as the co-host of these successful events.

The workshop is available for online viewing for review purposes. To view, simply click on a link below. You will be given three viewing options. Choose "high speed connection" if you are have a broadband internet connection. These lecture capture files require that you have an Adobe Flash Player plug-in installed in your browser.

Ms. Sanaa Hamdan & Dr. Bridget Javed Presentation: (video capture)