To Members of the Heart Failure Society of America:

Recently, HFSA held an online networking session for pharmacists involved in heart failure. The Pharm Forum was planned by Mona Fiuzat, PharmD, Orly Vardeny, PharmD, Brad Williams, PharmD and Kathleen Faulkenberg, PharmD.

The Forum provided an opportunity for attendees to discuss enhancing education opportunities for pharmacists, brainstorm ways to engage pharmacist members at HFSA and learn how pharmacists can get more involved in the Society.

Pharmacist membership and engagement in HFSA has grown significantly over the past few years. We currently have around 150 pharmacist members, up from around 100 a year ago. Pharmacists make up about 7% of HFSA membership. 22 pharmacists serve on committees this year and we have two pharmacists on the Board of Directors.

Attendees of the Pharm Forum shared several innovative ideas to facilitate more pharmacist networking and encourage engagement within HFSA. Many noted that they were encouraged to attend the Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) by a colleague, and that the meeting is a great way to get oriented to the Society while sharing experiences with other diverse members of the heart failure care team. ASM is a particularly good venue to present a poster or abstract as it is a less intimidating and more inviting meeting than other cardiology meetings. ASM also offers a good amount of continuing education credits.
  

The Pharm Forum included three breakout sessions that concentrated on different topics. The first focused on opportunities for facilitating clinical education discussions among pharmacists. Suggestions from this group included quarterly small group discussions via Zoom and developing podcasts and/or short videos that could be used as refreshers for experienced pharmacists or to provide basic information for newer members. One participant mentioned that the most valuable venue for learning for them was attending ASM and suggested having a dedicated venue (with dedicated time) for pharmacist learning.

The second breakout discussed how members can get more involved in HFSA initiatives. Some reported that they were not chosen for a committee the first time they applied (an experience shared by nurses, advanced practice providers and physicians, including me!), so it is important to continue to apply. One suggestion from this group was to consider a pharmacist-focused poster session. Another was to consider creating a committee for pharmacist members like the Nursing Committee within HFSA. The group also suggested increasing opportunities for recognition of pharmacist members.

The third breakout discussed the role of pharmacists on the heart failure care team and how HFSA can be supportive. Members in this group outlined the growing role of pharmacists along the HF care continuum. Practice areas within the group ranged from inpatient roles (e.g. rounding with HF or cardiology teams), facilitating safe transitions of care of patients with HF from hospitalization to care facilities or home, and outpatient management (in a team-based multidisciplinary clinic, or as independent providers with prescribing authority). The group suggested a forum within HFSA for pharmacists to connect and share best practices.
  
Thanks to everyone who participated in this event and we look forward to further engagement opportunities for all member types in the future.
 

John Teerlink, MD, FHFSA
HFSA President 2022-2023