Pharmacy Technician Training for Hearing Loss

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Abigail Hubbard, AuD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa

Disqualifiers: Urban residence, Cognitive impairment, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

144 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

Hearing loss is a major public health concern due to its negative association with emotional well-being, cognition, and physical ailments, such as diabetes. Access to audiologists and otolaryngologists in many regions across the US is poor or extremely limited. Rural populations are older, less educated, and have lower household incomes compared to populations in metropolitan areas. Also, with increasing age adults experience greater rates of hearing loss. Fortunately, the 2022 FDA Final Rule for Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids (OTC HAs) could revolutionize assess to hearing aids and hearing healthcare by allowing adults with perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss to purchase these devices over the counter, without medical clearance or care from an audiologist. Pharmacies located in rural areas now have the option to provide OTC HAs, something previously not possible. Currently, however, there are no established guidelines for effective provision of these devices in pharmacies located in rural communities. Educating pharmacy technicians to provide basic hearing healthcare related to OTC HAs use could address a critical need and create a new care delivery model to ensure sustainable, long-term access to hearing healthcare. The long-term goal of this study is to create a sustainable interprofessional collaborative between audiologists and pharmacists for the development of a hearing healthcare model that improves access and affordability of care in rural regions across the country. The specific aims are to 1) Determine an effective approach for educating pharmacy technicians for the provision of OTC HAs in rural community pharmacies, and 2) Identify satisfaction of care provided by pharmacy technicians and initial performance with OTC HAs in adults with hearing loss living in rural communities. A stepped wedged clinical trial design will be used to study the effectiveness of a comprehensive educational training program for pharmacy technicians. Technicians from rural Alabama and Mississippi, placed within four different clusters, will participate in a multimodal training program for the purpose of developing basic clinical skills to assist adults with perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss. Additionally, adults with hearing loss who receive clinical services from trained pharmacy technicians will be asked to report on the care they received and benefit from their OTC HAs. The central hypotheses are a) that pharmacy technician training will result in greater understanding of hearing healthcare concepts compared to no training, and b) the training will lead to successful provision of basic hearing healthcare to adults with hearing loss in rural communities. The expected outcome of this project will be the establishment of a multimodal education program, leveraging the increased access of OTC HAs, to support those with hearing loss in rural pharmacies across the county. The ability of pharmacy technicians to provide this support will dramatically increase the availability of hearing services in rural communities, which will positively impact the quality of life for those with hearing loss.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on training pharmacy technicians and assessing hearing aid use, so it's unlikely that your medications would be affected.

Is the Pharmacy Technician Training for Hearing Loss safe for humans?

The available research does not provide specific safety data for Pharmacy Technician Training for Hearing Loss, but it highlights the importance of pharmacy technicians in ensuring patient safety and reporting adverse drug events. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does the Pharmacy Technician Educational Training treatment for hearing loss differ from other treatments?

The Pharmacy Technician Educational Training for hearing loss is unique because it focuses on training pharmacy technicians to better understand and manage medication processes, rather than directly treating hearing loss. This approach is novel as it aims to improve healthcare delivery by enhancing the skills of pharmacy technicians, which indirectly supports patients with hearing loss through better medication management. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Pharmacy Technician Educational Training for Hearing Loss?

The research suggests that pharmacy technician training programs improve the skills and accuracy of pharmacy technicians in managing medication histories, which can enhance patient safety and care quality. While not directly related to hearing loss, these programs have shown success in improving healthcare delivery, which may indirectly support better outcomes in various treatments. ^{1 6 10 11 12}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Marcia J Hay-McCutcheon, PhD

Principal Investigator

The University of Alabama

Lucas Berenbrok, PharmD

Principal Investigator

University of Pittsburgh

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for pharmacy technicians in rural Alabama and Mississippi. It aims to train them to provide over-the-counter hearing aids and basic hearing healthcare. Adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss living in these areas who are interested in using OTC hearing aids can also participate.

Inclusion Criteria

Pharmacy technicians licensed to practice in the state of Alabama or Mississippi

Pharmacy technicians who practice in rural communities of Alabama and Mississippi

I am an adult over 18 with mild to moderate hearing loss living in rural Alabama or Mississippi.

Exclusion Criteria

I do not have any condition that affects my thinking or memory.

Pharmacy technicians with hearing loss who could have prior understanding of care for those with hearing loss will not be included in the study

Adults with hearing loss who live in urban areas of Alabama and Mississippi will not be included in the study

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Educational Training

Pharmacy technicians undergo a comprehensive educational training program including online modules, discussions, and practical experiences to assist with the provision of OTC hearing aids.

16 weeks

Multiple online and in-person sessions

Practicum

Pharmacy technicians participate in practical experiences using hearing screening equipment and setting OTC hearing aid controls for adults with hearing loss.

4 weeks

In-person practical sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for satisfaction and effectiveness of the training and hearing aid use.

4 weeks

Surveys and assessments

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Pharmacy Technician Educational Training

Trial Overview The study tests a comprehensive educational training program for pharmacy technicians, enabling them to assist adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. The effectiveness of the training and satisfaction with care provided by trained technicians will be evaluated.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Alabama and Mississippi Pharmacy Technicians Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Pharmacy technicians from Alabama and Mississippi will progress through four different steps of educational training for the purpose of assisting with the provision of over-the-counter hearing aids in rural Alabama and Mississippi counties. The types of training include four weeks of no training (control condition), four weeks of viewing online modules, four weeks of participating in online discussions, and four weeks of practical experiences. The practicum will include using hearing screening equipment to help assess hearing loss in adults, and setting over-the-counter hearing aid controls for adults with mild-to-moderate hearing bilateral hearing loss.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa

Lead Sponsor

Trials

49

Recruited

17,900+

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

Collaborator

Trials

377

Recruited

190,000+

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Collaborator

Trials

2,896

Recruited

8,053,000+

University of Pittsburgh

Collaborator

Trials

1,820

Recruited

16,360,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The implementation of a pharmacy technician medication history program led to a significant increase in provider compliance with medication reconciliation at discharge, rising from under 20% to 100%.

The program achieved over 90% accuracy and completeness in medication history documentation, demonstrating the effectiveness of a structured interview process and validation with external sources.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Experience with a pharmacy technician medication history program. Cooper, JB., Lilliston, M., Brooks, D., et al.[2022]

Implementing a pharmacy-based medication reconciliation program that involves both pharmacists and technicians significantly improved the accuracy of pre-admission medication lists from 45.8% to 95% and reconciliation rates from 44.2% to 92.8%.

These improvements in medication accuracy and reconciliation were statistically significant (P < .001) and were maintained over a 6-month period, highlighting the effectiveness and sustainability of this approach in enhancing patient safety.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pharmacy-based medication reconciliation program utilizing pharmacists and technicians: a process improvement initiative. Smith, SB., Mango, MD.[2022]

Implementing a standardized pharmacy technician training program can enhance the skills of pharmacy technicians, ensuring they are well-equipped to handle the complexities of medication use in healthcare.

Such training programs not only improve retention of skilled technicians but also promote uniformity in licensure and education, which is essential for adapting to the evolving demands of patient care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Utility of health system based pharmacy technician training programs. Vest, TA., Kelm, MJ.[2021]

A pharmacy-driven medication-history service at Inova Loudoun Hospital improved the accuracy of medication lists for 4,070 admitted patients, with 77.7% having at least one discrepancy identified, highlighting the importance of thorough medication reconciliation.

Patients who received a Best Possible Medication History (BPMH) had lower readmission rates compared to all patients during the same period, indicating that this service enhances patient safety and potentially reduces hospital readmissions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Improving Medication History at Admission Utilizing Pharmacy Students and Technicians: A Pharmacy-Driven Improvement Initiative. Petrov, K., Varadarajan, R., Healy, M., et al.[2022]

From 1997 to 2017, pharmacy technician wages increased until 2007 but remained flat from 2008 to 2017, indicating a stagnation in wage growth despite changes in the workforce requirements.

The study found a strong correlation between the presence of barriers to entry (like registration or certification) and technician wages, but the introduction of these barriers did not significantly affect wage trends over time.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Relationship between regulatory barriers to entry and pharmacy technician wages. Urick, BY., Mattingly, TJ., Mattingly, AN.[2021]

A survey of 228 pharmacy students revealed that most believe the FDA is more proactive than pharmaceutical companies in addressing adverse events, indicating a gap in understanding the roles of these entities.

Many students had misconceptions about how adverse event reports are processed and the impact of HIPAA regulations, highlighting the need for improved education on adverse event reporting before they enter practice.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pharmacy student perceptions of adverse event reporting. Kalari, S., Dormarunno, M., Zvenigorodsky, O., et al.[2023]

In a study of 244 independent retail pharmacies in Cali, it was found that 94% had a technical manager responsible for operations, which is crucial for ensuring safety in medication dispensing.

Only 50% of these pharmacies reported adverse drug events, indicating a need for improved reporting practices, particularly among pharmacies where the technical manager is a drug retailer rather than a pharmacist or chemist.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Factors related to technical management and adverse drug event reporting in independent retail pharmacies in Cali, Colombia. Castro Espinosa, J., Jiménez Urrego, ÁM., Botero Carvajal, A.[2022]

A survey of 58 third-year pharmacy students revealed that 84% intended to report serious adverse drug events (ADEs) to the FDA, indicating a strong intention and positive attitude towards reporting.

Despite their favorable attitudes, many students lacked adequate knowledge on the actual process of reporting ADEs, which could hinder their ability to effectively contribute to drug safety monitoring.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pharmacy students' attitudes toward reporting serious adverse drug events. Gavaza, P., Bui, B.[2023]

Pharmacy technician students in Denmark enhance their understanding of patient safety by collecting real-life data on patients' beliefs about medications during their Clinical Pharmacy course.

This hands-on experience not only shifts students' perspectives on patient communication but also reinforces their responsibility in ensuring patient safety and contributes valuable data to pharmacy practice research.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using Real-Life Data to Strengthen the Education of Pharmacy Technician Students: From Student to Research Assistant. Abrahamsen, B., Hansen, RN., Bjørn-Christensen, M., et al.[2020]

A pharmacy technician medication history program was successfully developed and implemented at a large community teaching hospital to improve medication reconciliation processes, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and feedback.

The program's sustainability was supported by standardized training, regular meetings for continuous improvement, and control measures like monthly data reviews and annual competency assessments, ensuring effective medication management.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Development and Implementation of a Pharmacy Technician Medication History Program. Davidson, TR., Hobbins, MA., Blubaugh, CM.[2022]

Duke University Health System launched a Pharmacy Technology Training Program in April 2018 to address the growing demand for pharmacy technicians, providing a comprehensive training that includes didactic, simulation-based, and experiential education.

The program is designed to help students become certified pharmacy technicians, supporting both internal and external candidates, and aims to enhance the efficiency of pharmacy operations by allowing pharmacists to focus on higher-level patient care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Digital content delivery in a pharmacy technician training program in a health system. Kelm, MJ., Bush, PW.[2020]

A structured continuing training program for pharmacy technicians in onco-hematology significantly improved their knowledge about cytotoxic drugs, with pre- and post-session assessments showing a notable increase in scores (from an average of 4.7 to 9.6).

Two years after the training, while knowledge scores decreased slightly (to 6.8), they remained higher than baseline, indicating lasting benefits from the training despite challenges in sustaining ongoing education due to time and staffing constraints.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Continuous theoretical training in onco-hematology for pharmacy technician's working in cytotoxic preparation unit]. Moine, M., Clou, E., Bonsergent, M., et al.[2020]

Citations

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Experience with a pharmacy technician medication history program. [2022]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pharmacy-based medication reconciliation program utilizing pharmacists and technicians: a process improvement initiative. [2022]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Utility of health system based pharmacy technician training programs. [2021]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Improving Medication History at Admission Utilizing Pharmacy Students and Technicians: A Pharmacy-Driven Improvement Initiative. [2022]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Relationship between regulatory barriers to entry and pharmacy technician wages. [2021]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pharmacy student perceptions of adverse event reporting. [2023]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Factors related to technical management and adverse drug event reporting in independent retail pharmacies in Cali, Colombia. [2022]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pharmacy students' attitudes toward reporting serious adverse drug events. [2023]

9. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using Real-Life Data to Strengthen the Education of Pharmacy Technician Students: From Student to Research Assistant. [2020]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Development and Implementation of a Pharmacy Technician Medication History Program. [2022]

11. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Digital content delivery in a pharmacy technician training program in a health system. [2020]

12. France pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Continuous theoretical training in onco-hematology for pharmacy technician's working in cytotoxic preparation unit]. [2020]