JoLaine R. Draugalis

Best Practices for Survey Research Reports: A Synopsis for Authors and Reviewers

We have provided 10 guiding questions and recommendations regarding what we consider to be best practices for survey research reports. Although our recommendations are not minimal standards for manuscripts submitted to the Journal, we hope that they provide guidance that will result in an enhancement of the quality of published reports of questionnaire-based survey research. It is important for both researchers/authors and reviewers to seriously consider the rigor that needs to be applied in the design, conduct, and reporting of survey research so that the reported findings credibly reflect the target population and are a true contribution to the scientific literature.

Medicare beneficiaries' management of capped prescription benefits.

Background.Having annual dollar limits in prescription coverage is a type of benefit design unique to Medicare beneficiaries. This type of coverage is found predominantly within private Medigap policies and Medicare+Choice plans offering prescription coverage. Objectives.The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of capped prescription benefits on efforts to reduce out-of-pocket prescription e-penses by beneficiaries at risk for reaching their cap. Research Design.This design was quasi-e-perimental, with data obtained from self-administered questionnaires mailed to 600 Medicare HMO risk enrollees with capped prescription benefits. Results.Data were collected on 378 Medicare enrollees for a 63% response rate. Appro-imately half of all respondents participated in ≥1 strategy to reduce their out-of-pocket prescription e-penses. Participation in selected strategies included obtaining samples from physicians (39.2%), taking less than prescribed amounts (23.6%), and discontinuing prescribed medications (16.3%). Additionally, 15% of respondents indicated going without necessities, and 12% indicated borrowing money to pay for their prescriptions. Those who reached their prescription cap were more likely to participant in any one behavior (odds ratio [OR], 2.18), more likely to take less medication than prescribed (OR, 2.83), more likely to discontinue a medication (OR, 3.36), and more likely to obtain samples from their physician (OR, 2.02) compared with those who had not reached their prescription cap. Conclusions.Beneficiaries at risk for reaching their prescription cap are taking steps to reduce their out-of-pocket prescription costs. Although some behaviors would be considered prudent, other behaviors may be placing beneficiaries at risk for drug-related morbidity and mortality.

RELIABILITY OF AN ARABIC VERSION OF THE RAND-36 HEALTH SURVEY AND ITS EQUIVALENCE TO THE US-ENGLISH VERSION

OBJECTIVESnThe objectives of this research were to: (1) evaluate the reliability and equivalence of the Arabic and English versions of the RAND-36 Health Survey (RAND-36) in a sample of Saudi Arabian citizens; and (2) assess the health status of a sample of Saudi Arabian citizens using both the Arabic and English versions.nnnMETHODSnBoth the Arabic and English versions of the survey were administered to a convenience sample of bilingual (English and Arabic) Saudi citizens (n = 415) at Saudi ARAMCO Company, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Internal consistency, equivalent-forms, and test-retest reliability were estimated for the eight multi-item scales in the Arabic and English versions. Mean scale scores were calculated for each version and compared with the general US populations.nnnRESULTSnThe median Cronbachs alphas for the Arabic RAND-36 in multiple subgroups exceeded 0.70 for every scale except one. Two of the English RAND-36 scales had median Cronbachs alphas that exceeded 0.70; the remainder exceeded 0.50. Two-week test-retest correlations were all statistically significant for both versions. Product-moment correlations to test the equivalence of the corresponding Arabic and English versions of the RAND-36 ranged from 0.73 to 0.92. Saudi citizens reported significantly higher vitality scores, but significantly lower physical functioning, social functioning, and general health perception scores than the general US population.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe results provide support for the reliability and equivalence of the Arabic and English versions of the RAND-36. Additional studies need to be conducted in a representative sample of the general Saudi population to further assess the psychometric properties of the Arabic version.

Best Practices for Survey Research Reports Revisited: Implications of Target Population, Probability Sampling, and Response Rate

Several papers have been published recently in the Journal addressing “best practices” for survey research manuscripts. This paper explores in more detail the effects of the target population size on sample size determination, probability sampling versus census approaches, and response rates and the relationship to potential nonresponse bias. Survey research is a complex methodology requiring expertise in the planning, execution, and analytic stages.

The Importance of Survey Research Standards

Every discipline within fields of research has instituted guidelines and templates for research endeavors and subsequent publications of findings, with the ultimate result being an increase in quality and acceptance by researchers within and across disciplines. These significant efforts are by nature ongoing, as well they should. These enhancements and guideline developments have been instituted in basic science disciplines, clinical pharmacy, and pharmacy administration relevant and related to subsequent scholarly publication of research findings. Specific research endeavors have included bench research, clinical trials and randomized clinical trials, meta analyses, outcomes research, and large scale database analyses. A similar need for quality and standardization also exists for survey research and scholarship. The purpose of this paper is to clarify why this is important and crucial for the Journal and our academy.

Identifying Psychological Contract Breaches to Guide Improvements in Faculty Recruitment, Retention, and Development

Objective. To identify pharmacy faculty members’ perceptions of psychological contract breaches that can be used to guide improvements in faculty recruitment, retention, and development. Methods. A list of psychological contract breaches was developed using a Delphi procedure involving a panel of experts assembled through purposive sampling. The Delphi consisted of 4 rounds, the first of which elicited examples of psychological contract breaches in an open-ended format. The ensuing 3 rounds consisting of a survey and anonymous feedback on aggregated group responses. Results. Usable responses were obtained from 11 of 12 faculty members who completed the Delphi procedure. The final list of psychological contract breaches included 27 items, after modifications based on participant feedback in subsequent rounds. Conclusion. The psychological contract breach items generated in this study provide guidance for colleges and schools of pharmacy regarding important aspects of faculty recruitment, retention, and development.

The status of women in US academic pharmacy.

Objective. To describe the status of women in pharmacy education with particular focus on a 10-year update of a previous study. Methods. Information was obtained from national databases, published reports, scholarly articles, and association websites. Comparisons were made between men and women regarding degree completion, rank, tenure status, leadership positions, research awards, salaries, and career advancement. Results. There have been modest gains in the number of women serving as department chairs and deans. Salary disparities were found between men and women at several ranks within pharmacy practice. Men were more apt to be tenured or in tenure-track positions and received 89.4% of the national achievement awards tracked since 1981. Conclusion. The problem cannot be simply attributed to the pipeline of those entering academia. Barriers to advancement differ between men and women. We recommend that individuals, institutions, and associations implement strategies to decrease barriers and reduce bias against women.

Writing a teaching philosophy: An evidence-based approach

Full-time faculty members seeking promotion or tenure are not the only people asked to write a teaching philosophy. Growing numbers of newly hired or junior faculty members and postgraduate year 1 or year 2 pharmacy residents are asked to prepare one as part of interview, employment, or residency

Incremental Development of an Integrated Assessment Method for the Professional Curriculum

Objective. To incrementally create and embed biannual integrated knowledge and skills examinations into final examinations of the pharmacy practice courses offered in the first 3 years of the pharmacy curriculum that would account for 10% of each course’s final course grade. Design. An ad hoc integrated examination committee was formed and tasked with addressing 4 key questions. Integrated examination committees for the first, second, and third years of the curriculum were established and tasked with identifying the most pertinent skills and knowledge-based content from each required course in the curriculum, developing measurable objectives addressing the pertinent content, and creating or revising multiple-choice and performance-based questions derived from integrated examination objectives. An Integrated Examination Review Committee evaluated all test questions, objectives, and student performance on each question, and revised the objectives and questions as needed for the following year’s iteration. Eight performance objectives for the examinations were measured. Assessment. All 8 performance objectives were achieved. Sixty-four percent of the college’s faculty members participated in the integrated examination process, improving the quality of the examination. The incremental development and implementation of the examinations over a 3-year period minimized the burden on faculty time while engaging them in the process. Student understanding of expectations for knowledge and skill retention in the curriculum also improved. Conclusions. Development of biannual integrated examinations in the first 3 years of the classroom curriculum enhanced the college’s culture of assessment and addressed accreditation guidelines for formative and summative assessment of students’ knowledge and skills. The course will continue to be refined each year.

The Role of Curriculum Committees in Pharmacy Education

Objective. To conduct a follow-up survey of curriculum committee chairs in US colleges and schools of pharmacy to describe current committee structures and functions and determine whether changes have occurred over time. Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional study design using a 30-item survey instrument regarding the structure, function, and charges of curriculum committees was sent to 100 curriculum committee chairs. Several new variables were added to the questionnaire to explore the use of systematic reviews, oversight of experiential education, and the impact of accreditation standards on work focus. Results. Eighty-five chairs responded. Curriculum committees are on average 1 person larger, less likely to have a student vote, more likely to have formal charges, and more likely to be involved in implementing an outcomes-based curriculum compared with 1994. Committees have shifted their work focus from review of curricular content to curricular revision. Conclusions. Curriculum committees continue to evolve as they respond to changes in pharmacy education and accreditation standards.