2030 Environmental Scan - University of Houston
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  • Technology

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    • Growing role of a pharmacist in healthcare technology
    • Best practices needed for the secure use of technology to maintain quality, integrity and efficiency
    • Continuous integration of technology, artificial intelligence, and data science within education, research and pharmacy practice
  • Economic

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    • Fluctuating state funding
    • Highly competitive federal research funding
    • Current state funding to reduce the disparity between general academic institutions and health science center institutions for Pharmacy Education with renewal contingent upon state legislature
    • Potential for future increased biomedical research and education funding as health science center develops
    • Overall university financial resilience given the unknown extent and impact of COVID
    • Growing number of pharmacy schools in the state and the potential negative economic impact
    • New revenue streams emerge as programmatic changes occur and practice models develop
    • Potential decreased Pharm.D. enrollment may negatively impact the revenue stream for the college
  • Competitive Trends in Education and the Profession

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    • Unprecedented increase in pharmacy schools leading to oversupply of entry-level pharmacists
    • Increased competition for student applicants and decreased application pool for pharmacy schools nationwide
    • High competition for postgraduate training of Pharm.D. graduates due to demand of postgraduate training sites surpassing the current supply
    • High competition for Pharm.D. experiential training (Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences, IPPEs, and Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences, APPEs) at experiential sites due to demand of PharmD experiential sites surpassing the current supply
    • Growth of satellite campuses around Harris County
    • Growth of satellite campuses and/or early admit programs in rural and/or underserved areas such as the Rio Grande Valley (RGV), Beaumont and East Texas areas
    • Increasing trend of applicants taking dual credit/AP coursework
    • Development of the UH Biomedical District that encourages interdisciplinary and collaborative education and research
    • Pharmacist roles are expanding where postgraduate education and training is an expectation
    • Expansion of Texas Medical Center (TMC) brings growth, opportunities and competition to the biomedical landscape in Houston
    • Growing need for College of Pharmacy participation and recognition in health initiatives on campus
    • Development and/or expansion of master's and certificate programs in continuing education that may serve to create revenue streams
    • Increasing complexity of diagnostics, medications, regimens, and distributive channels will require change of pharmacist-provided services
  • Demographics and Attitudes

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    • Distrust of science and/or lack of understanding of the scientific process impacting behavior and attitudes toward expert scientific recommendations
    • General increased access to information (social media platforms and search engines)
    • Increased awareness and action to address racial, gender and cultural disparities within society
    • Decreasing visibility and accessibility within Texas Medical Center (TMC) affecting connectedness 
    • Challenges within the underserved population underscoring the need for culturally competent care
    • Increased acceptance of and proficiency in distance learning, the virtual environment and flexible work structure in the wake of COVID
    • Public has growing acceptance and awareness of telehealth
  • Political—Federal, State and Local Public Policy

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    • Heightened attention to vaccine development and vaccination delivery including psychosocial factors
    • Increased recognition of the pharmacist’s pivotal role in public health through patient-centered and preventative care
    • Pharmacist contributions to value-based care as health care reformation moves from volume based to value based
    • Changing policies related to immigration have substantial impact on student recruitment, retention and subsequent employment
    • Potential change to health care access due to health care reform
    • Potential changes to drug pricing, reimbursement and policies and its effect on future pharmacists
    • Changes in federal and state laws to ensure safe prescribing, dispensing and handling of controlled substances
    • Change in responsibilities and change in practice will be dictated by regulatory issues such as provider status
    • Changing public attitudes including lack of trust in expertise toward the value of science could impact research funding
    • Changes in policy regarding health care equity, access and disparities