The survey used 5-point Likert-type scales to assess the frequency and helpfulness of interactions

with community pharmacists, Epigenetics inhibitor as well as level of agreement with specific statements relating to pharmacists’ current and possible expanded roles. Responses ranged from +2 (very frequently/very helpful/strongly agree) to -2 (very infrequently/not helpful at all/strongly disagree).

Results: 799 analyzable questionnaires were received. On average, midlevel providers interacted with pharmacists more frequently (median -0.23 and -0.51 for midlevels and physicians, respectively, P < 0.01). The helpfulness of interactions was rated positively by both groups, but the median rating by midlevel providers was higher compared with physicians (0.86 vs. 0.59, P < 0.01). Community pharmacists were rated most favorably on their traditional AL3818 functions, including patient counseling and reporting drug allergies/interactions. Results were weakly favorable toward expanded functions, such as discussing therapeutic alternatives with patients and dispensing sample medications from pharmacies. Both groups agreed that community

pharmacists are valuable sources of information, with midlevel providers indicating a significantly higher level of agreement (1.07 vs. 0.80, P < 0.01).

Conclusion: Most primary care physicians and midlevel providers support the current role of community pharmacists. Midlevel providers appeared to interact more frequently with pharmacists and indicated higher average helpfulness ratings for pharmacists. For pharmaceutical care to be realized in the community setting, a concerted effort by the pharmacy profession will be necessary to further demonstrate its benefits and feasibility. Midlevel providers may be helpful in facilitating this process.”
“Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has become a common surgical procedure, yet there is no consensus on what bougie size is best for LSG. We reviewed the literature CA4P and assessed the relationship between the size of bougie

used and the incidence of leak as well as weight loss parameters. We wanted to determine if there is an ideal bougie size for LSG. A search of the medical literature was undertaken. We limited the search to articles published in the last 5 years written in English and investigating humans. We analyzed 32 publications comprising 4,999 patients. We determined the frequency of staple line leaks as well as weight loss parameters in relation to bougie size. This study was exempt from our institutional review board. The use of bougies of 40 French (F) and larger was associated with a leak rate of 0.92 % as opposed to 2.67 % for smaller bougies (p < 0.05). Weight loss in percent of extra weight loss (%EWL) was 69.2 % when a bougie of 40 F and larger was used, as opposed to 60.7 % of EWL when smaller bougies were used (p = 0.29). LSG is becoming an important and common procedure.