Pediatric Pharmacotherapy Self Assessment

A growing practice area, pediatric pharmacotherapy has been approved as a board-certified specialty. Yet, with little clinical data on the efficacy of drugs used for children and their other special needs, these small patients can be your biggest challenge.

Now there is a very effective way to assess and advance your pediatric pharmacotherapy skills, on your own time, at your own pace: ASHP’s Pediatric Pharmacotherapy Self Assessment, created by Sandra Benavides, Hanna Phan, and Milap C. Nahata.

This is a practical learning tool for all levels of proficiency. Cases are designed as beginner (level 1), intermediate (level 2), or advanced (level 3), which allows for students, residents, and practitioners alike to strengthen their knowledge and analytical skills through 31 cases involving varying degrees of diagnostic complexity.

Based on real-life situations, these cases present challenges in the use of supplements, OTCs, drug formulations, and all other therapies for neonates, children, and adolescents. Each case was designed to include patient-specific data for evaluation to formulate specific recommendations for all aspects of care.

Pediatric Pharmacotherapy Self Assessment is a professional development tool for all areas of concern and levels of practice that can benefit you and your youngest patients for years to come.
 

Sandra Benavides, PharmD 

Sandra Benavides is an Associate Professor at Nova Southeastern University College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy Practice. Dr. Benavides received her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of California, San Francisco. She completed a general practice residency at the University of California, San Diego Medical Center, and a pediatric pharmacotherapy fellowship at The Ohio State University. Her clinical practice is in the area of pediatrics, and she has vast experience in a variety of pediatric settings including acute care, ambulatory care, and community practice. 

Dr. Benavides has authored several peer-reviewed publications in the area of pediatrics and education. She is the lead editor for Pediatric Pharmacotherapy, the first pediatric pharmacy text written for students. She is also an author and editor for Get the Residency: ASHP’s Guide to Residency Interviews and Preparation, 2nd ed. Throughout her years as an academician and practitioner, Dr. Benavides has mentored many students on residency and career paths, particularly in the area of pediatrics. She offers a pediatric elective and an advanced pharmacy practice experience in ambulatory pediatrics and academia and is an enthusiastic proponent of providing students with learning opportunities to better serve the pediatric population.

Hanna Phan, PharmD, BCPS 

Hanna Phan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science at the College of Pharmacy and in the Department of Pediatrics at the College of Medicine at the University of Arizona. She also serves as the Residency Program Director for the postgraduate year 2 (PGY2) pediatric pharmacy residency at The University of Arizona Medical Center–Diamond Children’s Center. Dr. Phan received her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Michigan and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in pediatric pharmacotherapy at The Ohio State University. As a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Dr. Phan provides care to her patients at The University of Arizona Medical Center–Diamond Children’s Center as well as its associated pediatric pulmonary specialty clinics.

Dr. Phan is an advocate for pediatric pharmacy practice through her leadership and service in various professional pharmacy organizations. She has given various international and national presentations and authored numerous book chapters and peer-reviewed manuscripts in the area of pediatric pharmacotherapy. Her current research interests include pediatric medication safety, patient-family education and therapy adherence, impact of body weight on medication use in children, and the role of pharmacists in the care of children with cystic fibrosis and asthma.

Milap C. Nahata, PharmD, MS 

Milap C. Nahata is the Director of the Institute of Therapeutic Innovations and Outcomes, Professor Emeritus of Pharmacy at the College of Pharmacy, and Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics and Internal Medicine at the College of Medicine at the Ohio State University (OSU). He was Division Chair, Pharmacy Practice and Administration, College of Pharmacy, and Associate Director, Medical Center Department of Pharmacy, for nearly 15 years and Interim Director of the Latiolais Leadership Program at OSU for about 3 years.

Dr. Nahata began his academic career in clinical pharmacy education, practice, research, and service at OSU in 1977. He teaches courses on pharmacotherapy and leadership, and has mentored nearly 200 graduate and professional students, residents, and fellows. With research focus in pediatric pharmacotherapy, Nahata has authored or coauthored over 500 peer-reviewed journal articles, 70 book chapters, and four books (two authored and two edited) largely about the treatment of conditions affecting pediatric patients. Pediatric Drug Formulations is in its sixth edition and is the most widely used book in this field, with information for preparing suitable formulations of drugs not commercially available for use in infants and young children. He is Editor-in-Chief of the Annals of Pharmacotherapy.
 

Doody’s Review Services, July 2015

[REVIEWER'S EXPERT OPINION]

Judith Klevan, BS Pharm (Jeanes Hospital)

Description

This book uses a case-based approach to address the challenges of pediatric pharmacotherapy, enabling readers to evaluate and apply their pharmacotherapy knowledge to each case. At the end of the book, each case is reviewed with assessments, therapy plans, interventions, and monitoring, along with several other issues.

Purpose

According to the authors, the purpose is to provide patient-specific, case-based learning opportunities for students as well as new and advanced practitioners.

Audience

The book is designed for students, residents, and practitioners. This is a good resource for medical professionals or students in pediatric practices or care settings.

Features

This book covers various diseases and medical conditions that affect children, from neonates to adolescents. Different sections are dedicated to various topics such as cardiovascular, pulmonary, and gastrointestinal disorders, as well as other areas. The cases are interesting and are presented at beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels, and include useful tables and graphs. The case analysis sections that appear in the back of the book would be better placed immediately following each chapter.

Assessment

This is a great review for pediatric practitioners and students. It presents cases and reviews them in an interesting and helpful manner.

Weighted Numerical Score: 96 - 4 Stars!