IntroductionPatients with uncontrolled diabetes living in rural and underserved communities experience many challenges, including lack of access to needed health and medication management services. Telepharmacy has been identified as a promising approach for addressing this gap. This article describes early insights into the implementation and effectiveness of a comprehensive medication management (CMM) telepharmacy service offered as part of primary care clinics in North Carolina and Arkansas. The CMM service involved pharmacists meeting remotely with patients in their homes to identify and resolve medication‐related problems (MTPs).ObjectivesThe purpose of this article is to both describe early successes, challenges, and lessons learned, and summarize preliminary effectiveness results.MethodsThis exploratory study made use of mixed methods data spanning the first three months of implementation. Successes, challenges, and lessons learned were captured through clinic interviews, open‐ended survey questions, and pharmacists' logs. Evidence of implementation progress and success was based on administrative data and implementation outcomes survey results. Medication therapy problems (MTPs) were used as a proxy to assess preliminary service effectiveness.ResultsKey insights centered on the perceived benefits of the service for patients and clinics, the importance of patient outreach and engagement, access to implementation support strategies, and the need for adaptability. Implementation success was rated highly by clinic stakeholders, with significant increases in service acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility over time, and continued intent to maintain the service. The MTP resolution rate averaged 88% across pharmacists.ConclusionThese preliminary data are promising for supporting the value of a pharmacist‐led medication optimization service delivered remotely to complex patients with uncontrolled diabetes. Ultimately, this model has the potential to expand access to care and transform the delivery of pharmacy services, while creating an opportunity to evolve the role of the clinical pharmacist beyond the traditional boundaries.

Background: The general public is unfamiliar with the concept of medical drones delivering life-saving technologies. Our research sought to define stakeholder attitudes towards development of drone-based emergency care for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Methods: Using qualitative methodology, we explored key stakeholder attitudes about using a drone to deliver automated external defibrillators (AED), challenges and facilitators to early establishment of a drone AED network, implementation considerations, and factors related to long-term sustainability. We identified 22 key individuals as potential respondents based on professional position; 16 respondents participated in data collection. Research participants included leaders in government, healthcare, emergency services, business, community, and the aviation industry (regulation and drone operation). Interview data were recorded and transcribed; data were analyzed using NVivo. A coding schema was developed based on constructs identified in previous literature and inductive consideration of this study’s data, including both thematic and descriptive coding. Results: We found broad support for a drone-delivered AED network. Such a network was perceived as valuable for reduced response times and for enhanced access to hard-to-reach areas. Identified challenges included operationalizing an autonomous drone AED network, privacy and safety concerns, current legal and regulatory requirements, financial liabilities, public buy-in and concern for public actually using an AED, and the need for research on treatment and cost- effectiveness of a drone network. Facilitators of development for a drone AED network included solidifying key partnerships (including integration into current EMS or fire services), identifying viable funding from private and public entities, and learning from existing drone models (e.g. commercial package or medical supply delivery). Conclusion: This study found general and conceptual support for the development of a drone network for AED delivery across key informants from an array of related fields. Such information should be considered in developing a regional drone AED network.