Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To implement an introductory pharmacy practice experience (IPPE) involving discharge counseling on postpartum pertussis immunization recommendations and evaluate its impact on student learning and patient immunization rates. DESIGN: Seventeen pharmacy students provided verbal and written information based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations regarding pertussis immunization for mothers and caregivers of newborns. ASSESSMENT: Educational and clinical outcomes were evaluated using student documentation and pharmacy records. Students completed 615 IPPE hours and provided 1,263 consultations. Students reported that 52% of mothers requested immunization, 27% were undecided, 11% had previously been immunized, and 10% declined. Following counseling, immunization rates, as a percentage of total births, significantly increased by 18.5%. Learning objectives of enhanced counseling and documentation skills were achieved. CONCLUSIONS: IPPE students provided patient counseling in an institutional setting that contributed to healthcare team efforts to increase pertussis immunization rates in mothers of newborns. This IPPE may serve as a potential model for additional student involvement in discharge counseling.