Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) were the first antidepressants found to be effective in clinical use. Their discovery was serendipitous; the anti-tuberculosis agent, iproniazid, was noted to improve depressive symptoms in patients with tuberculosis. It was found that the antidepressant effect was related to inhibition of monoamine oxidase (MAO) (1-3).
Searching for Solutions
Join residency program directors (RPDs) from psych pharmacy programs across the country in CPNP's inaugural Residency Showcase! Day 1 is reserved exclusively for resident members, while both residents and students can join in Day 2!. Log on to explore different residency programs, and have their questions answered.
Substance use disorders (SUD) are a major public health crisis impacting families, communities and society.
Cultivating Inclusive Learning Environments in Pharmacy Education: A Threefold Approach
Pharmacy education plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of health care professionals. As pharmacy educators, it is our responsibility to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment for all learners, regardless of their background or experience. Inclusive learning refers to teaching practices that are equitable and accessible for all learners.1 Inclusive teaching practices ensure that every learner has the opportunity to participate, pose ideas, construct knowledge, see personal connections to the topic, and feel welcomed into intellectual discussions.
Addressing Mental Health Inequity in Your Community
Improving mental health equity is a daunting topic to consider. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work involves acknowledging the current state as being unacceptable. And being such a vast issue, one can feel at a loss as to what can be done to improve it. When seeking concrete, actionable steps for improving equity in your community, the essential word is “community”. Taking care of our neighbors is how we start to change the world; finding systems and solutions that work on a small scale is a path forward to adapting and figuring out how those solutions can be implemented at incrementally larger and more complex levels.
New AAPP Learning Platform Launches in December!
To improve your experience and support new learning strategies, AAPP is launching a new learning platform later this year. AAPP.org is expected to be offline for the transition December 1-11, 2023. While most of the web site experience will remain familiar, key enhancements will be made.
A Year of Transformation: President Reflections
It’s hard to believe how fast a year goes by. It seems like only yesterday we were together, celebrating our organization’s 25th anniversary in San Antonio, and now we are already reflecting on another successful AAPP Annual Meeting, this year held in Atlanta. It was great to catch up with so many friends and colleagues from across the country and beyond, while also enjoying top notch, diverse, and at times, emotional programming.
From CPNP to AAPP: New Name Same Organization
As we jump-start 2023, we are happy to report that progress on our rebrand to the American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists (AAPP) is nearly complete. Web pages and documents have been updated, press releases issued, logos altered, and much more has been completed to cement our recognition as AAPP.
AAPP New Year’s Resolutions: January Presidents Letter
Welcome to our January AAPP Perspective featuring articles commissioned by our Resident and New Practitioner Committee around the topic of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Since DEI is critically important and one of the primary drivers in the AAPP strategic plan, I am excited to learn from my peers who have authored featured articles.
Washington Update - AAPP Federal Advocacy in 2023
In 2023, AAPP increased its efforts in terms of outreach and engagement with legislators, regulators, and partner organizations and weighing in on issues impacting the membership and outlined in the 2023 Health Policy Agenda. As the new year begins, we look back on the many advocacy activities AAPP was engaged in last year with the expectation that 2024 will be action packed and full of opportunity to educate and promote the vital work of psychiatric pharmacists.
The Case for Telehealth: Increasing Access and Improving Outcomes
Telehealth is defined by the Health Resources Services Administration as "the use of electronic information and telecommunication technologies to support long-distance clinical health care, patient and professional health-related education, health administration, and public health.” These technologies can include the internet, video conferencing, store-and-forward imaging, media streaming, and land and wireless communications.1
Holistic Healing: Navigating the Intersection of Social Determinants and Mental Health in Patient Care
Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) encompass the social conditions shaping individuals’ lives including where they are born, grow, work, live and age. This complex framework significantly influences not only one’s health, but also their overall well-being and quality of life.1 These SDOH are commonly grouped into five distinct domains.
Member News: January 2024
Congratulations to Jennifer Bean, Julie Dopheide, Vicki Ellingrod, Ian McGrane and all the other members making an impact in psychiatric pharmacy!
Meet the Incoming Members of the AAPP Board
The AAPP membership has elected three officers to serve on the 2024-2026 Board of Directors. Assuming their offices effective July 1, 2024, will be Drs. Jolene Bostwick, Julie Cunningham and Jennifer Dress. These 3 new members will join Drs. Michelle Geier, Kristina Reinstatler, Amy Werremeyer, and Andy Williams on the Board for 2024-2025.
AAPP Perspective: January 2024
Happy New Year and welcome to our January AAPP Perspective featuring articles commissioned by our Resident and New Practitioner Committee around the topic of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Take this opportunity to learn from your peers as well as hear from AAPP President Amy Werremeyer about AAPP's top 5 mission critical AAPP New Year’s resolutions for 2024.
Save the Date for AAPP 2024, April 7-10
We are thrilled to announce the 2024 Annual Meeting, scheduled for April 7-10, 2024, at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate, a secluded oasis situated perfectly southwest of downtown Orlando. The Omni Orlando provides a secluded resort environment perfect for education and networking. AAPP 2024 is a perfect opportunity to refocus on your career, connect with colleagues, and to come away refreshed with tangible practice ideas and recommendations.
Transforming Mental Health Systems: Lessons from the Global South
A burgeoning mental health crisis is evident in the United States, despite the country’s dedication of significant human resources and spending on mental health care and research. Effectively responding to this crisis is impeded by the dominant framing of mental ill health through the prism of diagnostic categories, leading to an excessive reliance on pharmacological interventions that are delivered by specialists. This crisis is further exacerbated by a scarcity of widespread promotive, preventive, and recovery-oriented strategies coupled with a failure to leverage diverse resources that may already be available within communities.
Role of Cannabis and Cannabidiol in the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders share features of persistent and excessive worry and can interfere with many daily activities. Approximately 19.1% of United States adults had an anxiety disorder in the past year and the lifetime prevalence is as high as 31%. Anxiety disorders are often treated with medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of both. Antidepressants (SSRIs and SNRIs) are the first-line treatment approach for anxiety disorders but are not effective for all patients, have a slow onset of action, and can be associated with intolerable adverse effects.
Digital Therapeutics in Mental Health
In an era where technology is a necessary part of our day-to-day, it often feels like we can’t thrive without our phone and the many applications that make it personal to us. Thanks to digital therapeutics (DTx), phones have become an important component of treatment. Mental health DTx are application-based programs which aid patients in navigating treatment for their mental health disorder(s). Available applications cover diagnoses ranging from insomnia to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder to various substance use disorders.
AAPP Perspective: December 2023
Customized, Energizing, Unique, Targeted—these are all adjectives used to describe the AAPP Annual Meeting. The opportunity to participate in this high quality, practical event is now available for 2024. Join us April 7-10, 2024 in Orlando, Florida to experience cutting-edge keynotes on transforming mental health care, the ethical and practical application of psychedelic treatment, and the impact of gun violence on mental health as well as targeted, concurrent programming on the treatment management of insomnia, borderline personality disorder, illicit substance, and so much more.
Peer-to-Peer Learning at AAPP Communities Week-December 11-13
AAPP community leaders, committees, and taskforces have been hard at work planning the next AAPP Communities Week, a 3-day virtual event taking place December 11-13, 2023! This event is exclusively for AAPP members, and you’re invited!
Merging Medicine and Psychiatry for a Fulfilling Rotation
Psychiatric pharmacy preceptors often encounter pharmacy trainees on rotation who may not initially share a strong interest in psychiatric pharmacy, which can undoubtedly be challenging. How can we keep these trainees engaged throughout the rotation? It’s worth noting that many students may not fully grasp the close integration of general medical conditions with psychiatric disorders. To address this, we should find creative ways to emphasize the medical aspects that align with the student’s areas of interest.