Q & A
Q&A ASHP Connect community Q: In the age of multiple social networking platforms, why should I join ASHP Connect? What are some of the benefits that ASHP Connect has to offer? A: ASHP provides a multitude of resources to its members and is continually finding ways to pioneer new thinking and remain innovative in a rapidly changing environment. In particular, ASHP Connect (http://connect.ashp.org) is a valuable online tool that allows members to discuss topics and share ideas with peers nationally and internationally through a social media platform. It serves as a great resource for keeping up-to-date with current health-system pharmacy news, for preceptor development, for finding networking opportunities and mentorship programs, and for real-time communication (via the ASHP Connect mobile application). Developing a user profile is the first step to maximizing the benefits associated with ASHP Connect. Once a profile has been created, a user can easily build a portfolio of contacts to share experiences through the convenient discussion boards or blog posts. In addition, Connect contains a robust directory that allows a user to search for other Connect members by name, location, postgraduate training, institution size, specialty certifications, practice focus or interest, and primary position. ASHP Connect also provides access to discussion boards created by state affiliate organizations and Connect
communities for members with interest in specific practice areas or topics. A plethora of webinars are offered through ASHP Connect and are presented by practice leaders all over the country who collaborate to share their experi-
ences and empower members to practice at the top of their license. These webinars provide Connect members with networking opportunities through questionand-answer sessions that allow for open discussion; some also allow users to earn continuing-education credit. ASHP Connect offers several different mediums, formal as well as informal, from which members can keep abreast of the
The Q & A column features ASHP staff responses to inquiries from pharmacists in health systems. Through this column, more practitioners can benefit from the answers prepared by the staff. The column may also include answers solicited from others, including government agencies such as OSHA, FDA, and DEA. Pharmacists with questions for ASHP should write directly to the appropriate staff member, not AJHP. Frequently called extensions are listed in every issue of AJHP on the page after the Table of Contents.
latest developments in pharmacy practice. In addition to real-time discussion boards and blog posts on current events in the pharmacy profession, ASHP Connect features a calendar of upcoming events and event spotlights, including ASHP and state affiliate meetings. There is also a filesharing feature that allows users to share documents (e.g., sample medication order sets, professional policy documents). Connect members also have access to a variety of tools geared specifically toward helping them grow as educators and preceptors. Various educational opportunities in this area are available through ASHP Connect, including webinars recorded by experienced preceptors. Additionally, the ASHP National Pharmacy Preceptors Conference is included on the calendar of events, and users can access various blog posts about precepting and post questions on discussion boards about precepting dilemmas. Another site offering is the ASHP Connect Mentor Match program. This is a program for student pharmacists, new practitioners, and more seasoned practitioners to establish mutually beneficial mentor–mentee relationships. Each ASHP Connect user can sign up to be a mentor, a mentee, or both. Users can then search the database to find a mentor or mentee. Communication can occur by various modes (e.g., ASHP Connect, e-mail, phone), and the mentor–mentee relationship can exist for as long as the members feel it is beneficial. More information is available at the ASHP Connect site (http://connect.ashp.org/mentoring1/ aboutmentormatch). ASHP Connect is also available as a convenient, easy-to-use mobile app for both Apple (Apple Corporation, Cupertino, CA) and Android (Google Inc., Mountain View, CA) mobile devices. Users may view, contribute to, and create Continued on page 1005
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Q & A Continued from page 1002
new discussion threads. Also, users can view news items and send messages to fellow ASHP Connect users. For users who are away from a computer, it is easy to keep current with all the ASHP webinars, conferences, and events using the ASHP Connect app. Not only can users read the latest news and blogs in realtime, but with a new integrated function they can view ASHP tweets. Instructions on downloading the ASHP Connect app may be found by scanning the Quick Response code below with any smartphone or tablet.
Emmanuel N. Enwere, Pharm.D., M.S., Clinical Informatics Pharmacist, Division of Pharmacy The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston, TX [email protected] Yao Hua Lin, Pharm.D., BCPS, Postgraduate Year 2 HIV Pharmacotherapy Resident Pharmacy Services University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy Oklahoma City, OK Jason A. Morell, Pharm.D., BCPS, Clinical Staff Pharmacist, Pharmacy Services OSF Saint Francis Medical Center Peoria, IL Lindsey M. Childs-Kean, Pharm.D., M.P.H., BCPS, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacotherapy and Translational Research University of Florida College of Pharmacy St. Petersburg, FL
At the time of writing, Dr. Enwere was Pharmacy Practice Resident, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, and all authors were members of the ASHP New Practitioners Forum Communications and Technology Advisory Group. The authors have declared no potential conflicts of interest. DOI 10.2146/ajhp140524
Am J Health-Syst Pharm—Vol 72 Jun 15, 2015
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Q&A ASHP Connect community Q: In the age of multiple social networking platforms, why should I join ASHP Connect? What are some of the benefits that ASHP Connect has to offer? A: ASHP provides a multitude of resources to its members and is continually finding ways to pioneer new thinking and remain innovative in a rapidly changing environment. In particular, ASHP Connect (http://connect.ashp.org) is a valuable online tool that allows members to discuss topics and share ideas with peers nationally and internationally through a social media platform. It serves as a great resource for keeping up-to-date with current health-system pharmacy news, for preceptor development, for finding networking opportunities and mentorship programs, and for real-time communication (via the ASHP Connect mobile application). Developing a user profile is the first step to maximizing the benefits associated with ASHP Connect. Once a profile has been created, a user can easily build a portfolio of contacts to share experiences through the convenient discussion boards or blog posts. In addition, Connect contains a robust directory that allows a user to search for other Connect members by name, location, postgraduate training, institution size, specialty certifications, practice focus or interest, and primary position. ASHP Connect also provides access to discussion boards created by state affiliate organizations and Connect
communities for members with interest in specific practice areas or topics. A plethora of webinars are offered through ASHP Connect and are presented by practice leaders all over the country who collaborate to share their experi-
ences and empower members to practice at the top of their license. These webinars provide Connect members with networking opportunities through questionand-answer sessions that allow for open discussion; some also allow users to earn continuing-education credit. ASHP Connect offers several different mediums, formal as well as informal, from which members can keep abreast of the
The Q & A column features ASHP staff responses to inquiries from pharmacists in health systems. Through this column, more practitioners can benefit from the answers prepared by the staff. The column may also include answers solicited from others, including government agencies such as OSHA, FDA, and DEA. Pharmacists with questions for ASHP should write directly to the appropriate staff member, not AJHP. Frequently called extensions are listed in every issue of AJHP on the page after the Table of Contents.
latest developments in pharmacy practice. In addition to real-time discussion boards and blog posts on current events in the pharmacy profession, ASHP Connect features a calendar of upcoming events and event spotlights, including ASHP and state affiliate meetings. There is also a filesharing feature that allows users to share documents (e.g., sample medication order sets, professional policy documents). Connect members also have access to a variety of tools geared specifically toward helping them grow as educators and preceptors. Various educational opportunities in this area are available through ASHP Connect, including webinars recorded by experienced preceptors. Additionally, the ASHP National Pharmacy Preceptors Conference is included on the calendar of events, and users can access various blog posts about precepting and post questions on discussion boards about precepting dilemmas. Another site offering is the ASHP Connect Mentor Match program. This is a program for student pharmacists, new practitioners, and more seasoned practitioners to establish mutually beneficial mentor–mentee relationships. Each ASHP Connect user can sign up to be a mentor, a mentee, or both. Users can then search the database to find a mentor or mentee. Communication can occur by various modes (e.g., ASHP Connect, e-mail, phone), and the mentor–mentee relationship can exist for as long as the members feel it is beneficial. More information is available at the ASHP Connect site (http://connect.ashp.org/mentoring1/ aboutmentormatch). ASHP Connect is also available as a convenient, easy-to-use mobile app for both Apple (Apple Corporation, Cupertino, CA) and Android (Google Inc., Mountain View, CA) mobile devices. Users may view, contribute to, and create Continued on page 1005
1002
Am J Health-Syst Pharm—Vol 72 Jun 15, 2015
Q & A Continued from page 1002
new discussion threads. Also, users can view news items and send messages to fellow ASHP Connect users. For users who are away from a computer, it is easy to keep current with all the ASHP webinars, conferences, and events using the ASHP Connect app. Not only can users read the latest news and blogs in realtime, but with a new integrated function they can view ASHP tweets. Instructions on downloading the ASHP Connect app may be found by scanning the Quick Response code below with any smartphone or tablet.
Emmanuel N. Enwere, Pharm.D., M.S., Clinical Informatics Pharmacist, Division of Pharmacy The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston, TX [email protected] Yao Hua Lin, Pharm.D., BCPS, Postgraduate Year 2 HIV Pharmacotherapy Resident Pharmacy Services University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy Oklahoma City, OK Jason A. Morell, Pharm.D., BCPS, Clinical Staff Pharmacist, Pharmacy Services OSF Saint Francis Medical Center Peoria, IL Lindsey M. Childs-Kean, Pharm.D., M.P.H., BCPS, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacotherapy and Translational Research University of Florida College of Pharmacy St. Petersburg, FL
At the time of writing, Dr. Enwere was Pharmacy Practice Resident, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, and all authors were members of the ASHP New Practitioners Forum Communications and Technology Advisory Group. The authors have declared no potential conflicts of interest. DOI 10.2146/ajhp140524
Am J Health-Syst Pharm—Vol 72 Jun 15, 2015
1005
