Pharmacy students' knowledge of the Medicare drug benefit and intention to provide Medicare medication therapy management services.
OBJECTIVE
To examine PharmD students' knowledge about Medicare Part D and their attitudes toward and intention to provide Medicare medication therapy management services (MTMS).


METHODS
Fourth-professional year students were given a self-administered survey instrument that assessed: (1) knowledge about Medicare Part D; (2) attitudes, perceived behavioral control, subjective norms, and intention to provide Medicare MTMS; and (3) demographic and experience information.


RESULTS
Ninety-five students responded for a response rate of 94%. Students showed good basic knowledge about Medicare Part D, with a mean score of 94%. Almost 60% of students agreed that they intended to provide Medicare MTMS, but agreement dropped to 37% when they were asked if they were willing to take initiative to provide MTMS.


CONCLUSIONS
The lack of willingness to take initiative to provide Medicare MTMS suggests that colleges and schools of pharmacy must strengthen efforts to encourage students to take on the role of service provider.
Urmie
Julie M
JM
College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA. julie-urmie@uiowa.edu
Farris
Karen B
KB
Herbert
Kathleen E
KE
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002321:Career Choice; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004514:Education, Pharmacy, Graduate; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007356:Insurance, Pharmaceutical Services; D007484:Iowa; D019359:Knowledge; D008297:Male; D006278:Medicare; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services; D013339:Students, Pharmacy / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires