Improper inhalation technique with beta-agonist metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) decreases efficacy of the bronchodilator. The success of demonstrating the correct technique and the pharmacist's role in patient education has been reported. To obtain information regarding the routine patient education practice of pharmacists when dispensing a beta-agonist MDI (albuterol), the following study was performed. Fifty-two prescriptions for an albuterol MDI were presented to 52 randomly chosen community pharmacists in three Tennessee cities. Twenty-six independent and 26 chain pharmacies wer evaluated. Pharmacists' practice with regard to patient education, instruction, and demonstration of the correct usage of the MDI was observed and recorded. Overall, 13 percent of the pharmacists initially offered to educate the patient-investigator (PI) regarding the correct usage of the MDI without being asked for information. Fifty-three percent of pharmacists offered information only upon being asked specifically how to use the MDI. Of the pharmacists who offered to educate the PI, 71 percent discussed less than half of the eight steps correctly. Only 1 of the 52 pharmacists actually demonstrated MDI inhalation technique, and this in response to a request. No pharmacist asked the PI to perform the technique while he/she observed. No pharmacist offered information on delivery enhancement devices. Our results demonstrate that few pharmacists educate patients on the correct usage of an MDI, and that many pharmacists are not aware of the correct technique.

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Objective. To compare second-year student pharmacists' perspectives on two approaches for completing a pharmacy practice management business planning project. Methods. A mixed-methods approach was used to compare two options (traditional and experimental) for completing business plan projects that were offered to teams of second-year student pharmacists as part of a required pharmacy management course. Teams who chose the traditional project were required to develop a unique, pharmacy-related business plan while those who chose the experimental concept were paired with a pharmacy-focused firm within Tennessee and tasked with designing a potential service for the firm's consideration. At semester's end, all students were asked to complete a brief survey to provide insight on their experiences with either of the group projects. Students and firm stakeholders were also asked to participate in a group and individual interview, respectively. Results. Student group comparisons indicated that the experimental project provided a more realworld, business planning experience. Additionally, groups that did the experimental project were more likely to report seeing how business and pharmacy practice were connected, indicate a better understanding of the principles of pharmacy management, and be perceived as more marketable for a future pharmacy career. Firm representatives indicated that insight provided by the students was valuable and that they had plans to implement what was proposed. Conclusion. Connecting student pharmacists with a pharmacy-focused firm provided a real-world management experience that better complemented the course's principles, and created a mutually beneficial innovation-focused partnership.

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