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Research Project
The research undertaken by myself, Philip Chan, Drs Tim Cutler, Bill Soller, Glenn Yokoyama, Mike Negrete, with the help of many fantastic individuals, help highlight the benefit design, opportunities and challanges of MTM in California. Stay tuned for more updates....
Kudos: The 2007 Longs Senior Research Award was presented to Philip Chan for the above research and an interview of him conducted for the UCSF Alumni Newsletter (Sept 2007). For more information on the award, click here: 2007 Longs Senior Research Award.
About Us
While as a student at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Pharmacy, I entered the Health Policy & Management Pathway. My senior research project focused on MTM programs in California. metamorphosed through various stages, but it finalized when I decided to work with Dr Tim Cutler on a project involving MTM. Tim's excitement and support were fantastic.
The project involved many wonderful people. Dr Tim Cutler was my direct research preceptor who already was involved in numerous MTM and Medicare-related activities. Dr Bill Soller provided his amazing survey design and research skills, and Dr Glenn Yokoyama for his keen insight into managed care, not to mention his constant smiles. :) Tim's close collaboration with Dr Marilyn Stebbins also provided a nice sounding board. As development of the MTM survey tool ensued, I had the great fortune to meet Dr Michael Negrete who amazed me with his knowledge of MTM, his energy, and perception of the healthcare landscape. I felt the need to work with Mike, and I volunteered time at CPhA (California Pharmacists Association) working with Mike on MTM through Premier Pharmacists Networks, among other projects.
I continued to meet amazing individuals. Dr Anne Burns was kind enough to share her insights upon completion of her national survey of Medicare Part D plans on MTM. The additional insight from Drs Rodney Gedey, Cathrine Misquitta, Adrienne Giordano, Shannon Redline, and Curt Le, pharmacists at Health Net and Dr Ralph Crowder at Blue Shield of California, were truly invaluable. The sprinkling of input from pharmacists at Walgreens, including Dr Carl Bertram, added another dimension and perspective to the project. I must also thank Dr Clifton Louie for his wonderful support as I was searching for a project.
So part of the joy of the pharmacy profession is meeting great people. I also value the many exciting opportunities available. I visited over 50 pharmacies in Sacramento, CA and had the chance to discuss with community pharmacists their perceptions of MTM. Prior to that, with the help of a few school mates, we surveyed about 50 independent pharmacists partly on their expectations of MTM.
An aspect of creating this website is to nurture the start-up zeal in me. I decided that developing a website featuring insights into MTM and facilitating communications about MTM would be great. The website's main purpose was to provide summaries of survey responses from key individuals of MTM programs for Medicare Part D Plans. However, if this site evolves into more, that would be exciting as well.
Regards,
Philip Chan
Was a 4th Year Pharmacy Student, UCSF
Currently a UCSF Postdoctoral Scholar - Fellow |
