Publications

Scholarly Journals--Published

  • Knecht KT, Chiriac G, Guan HD. The potential impact of a vegetarian diet on glaucoma. Surv Ophthalmol. 2024 Sep-Oct;69(5):833-841. doi: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2024.05.001. Epub 2024 May 18. PMID: 38768761.  Treatment of primary open-angle glaucoma has centered on the lowering of intraocular pressure that damages the optic nerve; however, this strategy is not uniformly successful, especially in normal tension glaucoma, and there is interest in antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and other neuroprotective strategies. Vegetarian diets are known to be rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory components and have a number of established health benefits. Thus, it would be reasonable to assume that vegetarian diets would be beneficial in glaucoma, but this approach has not been well studied. We examine the possible role of vegetarian diets and their components in the incidence and progression of glaucoma. (09/2024)
  • Kathryn T. Knecht, Julie La, Kim-Phung Truong, Stacie Lo, Julia Chavez, Darlene F. Tyler, Paul Gavaza; Interactions of Spanish-Speaking Latinas in a Southern California Community With Their Community Pharmacists and Pharmacy Staff. Journal of Contemporary Pharmacy Practice 1 June 2022; 69 (3): 19–26. doi: https://doi.org/10.37901/jcphp21-00010   Background Latino patients make up an increasingly larger proportion of the U.S. population and of community pharmacy patients. Little is known about Latino patients’ experiences with health care providers (HCPs), including pharmacists. The study objective was to describe the nature and quality of the interactions between members of a local Spanish-speaking Latina community with their community pharmacists and pharmacy staff. Methods One-on-one interviews were conducted with Spanish-speaking Latina adults in a Southern California community. Interview responses were analyzed for themes, subthemes and representative quotes by three independent readers. Results Twenty-four Spanish-speaking Latina adults participated in the study. Five themes were identified: experiences with pharmacists/pharmacies; obtaining and using medication; language barriers; obtaining and understanding health information; and suggestions for improvement. Participants described a variety of positive and negative interactions with local community pharmacies, including experiences related to customer service, time waiting for medication and counseling. Issues related to medication use included sources for acquiring medications, use of herbals and limited insurance coverage. Language was a significant barrier for patients’ interactions with their pharmacists and pharmacy staff. Patients utilized multiple sources of health information besides their pharmacist. Conclusion In a community with a majority of Latinos in Southern California, Latina community members reported challenges regarding interactions with their pharmacists and pharmacy staff. Pharmacists need to find ways to improve rapport and communication with their Latino patients, to help patients to make effective use of medications, and to provide accurate medical information. (06/2022)
  • Peña I, Knecht K, Gavaza P. Pharmacy Students' Perception of an Elective Course on Evidence-based Learning Strategies. Am J Pharm Educ. 2021;85(2):8232. doi:10.5688/ajpe8232  (10/2021)
  • Knecht K, Kinder D, Stockert A. Biologically-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Use in Cancer Patients: The Good, the Bad, the Misunderstood. Front Nutr. 2020 Jan 24;6:196.     (01/2020)
  • Knecht, K.T., Nguyen, H., Auker, A.D., Kinder, D.H. . "Effects of Extracts of lupine seed on blood glucose levels in mice. Antihyperglycemic effects of Lupinus albus (White lupine, Egypt) and Lupinus caudatus (Tailcup lupine, Mesa Verde National Park." J. Herbal Pharmacotherapy 6.3 (2005): 107-121. (01/2005) (link)
  • Knecht, K.T.. "Assessing cognitive skills of pharmacy students in a Biomedical Sciences module using a classification of multiple-choice item categories according to Bloom?s Taxonomy." Am. J. Pharm. Ed 65,. (2001): 324-334-. (01/2001) (link)

Abstract

  • de la Peña I, Knecht K, Gavaza P. Effectiveness of an analogy-containing video project to reinforce pharmacy students' learning of kidney physiology. Curr Pharm Teach Learn. 2023 Jun;15(6):615-623. doi: 10.1016/j.cptl.2023.06.011. Epub 2023 Jun 23. PMID: 37355386. Background and purpose: Kidney physiology is one of the most difficult topics covered in health professions education. This study examined the effectiveness of an analogy-containing video project to reinforce pharmacy students' knowledge of kidney physiology. Educational activity and setting: Students were assigned in groups to create a video that used analogy to explain kidney physiology processes. Survey responses, a rubric, and an objective test were used to assess the project's effectiveness. Findings: Students generated various analogies, such as making tea or coffee, cars and roads, and the college application process to explain kidney physiology. Most of the submitted videos successfully met all criteria in the rubric. All students believed that the project was effective, to varying degrees, in reinforcing their knowledge. Weak to moderate positive correlations were found between time spent on the project and perceived effectiveness of use of analogy to accomplish most of the learning objectives investigated. Students reported that the project engaged both lower- and higher-order cognitive skills. Quiz score analysis showed higher average scores of students on physiology-related questions compared to non-physiology items. Notably, this improvement was most marked for bottom-performing students. About 60% of students recommended the use of videos as a class assignment, but only 50% believed that they should be used as an alternative to quizzes. Summary: An analogy-containing video project effectively reinforced student learning of kidney physiology. Further studies are needed to verify the effectiveness of this technique compared to other didactic and learning approaches. (06/2023)

Scholarly Journals--Accepted

  • de la Peña I, Knecht K, Gavaza P.  Pharmacy Students’ Perception of an Elective Course on Evidence-based Learning Strategies. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education 2021, 85 (2) 8232. Objective. To examine pharmacy students' perceptions of an elective course on evidence-based learning strategies.Methods. Pre- and post-course survey questionnaires were administered to students who enrolled in an elective course, to determine the learning strategies they used prior to course attendance, track their use of evidence-based learning strategies and observance of healthy lifestyle habits, and assess their perception of the course. A written assignment was given that required students to reflect on the learning outcomes that resulted from their application of evidence-based learning strategies. Mean scores on the pre- and post-course survey were analyzed using a general linear model repeated measures test.Results. The 59 students in this study predominantly used less-effective strategies (eg, re-reading and re-writing of notes) prior to taking the course. They reported increased use of evidence-based learning strategies, particularly retrieval practice and elaboration, and practice of healthy lifestyle habits (ie, enough sleep, exercise, good nutrition) after course completion. Students believed that using the above learning strategies improved their learning and memory and performance on graded assessments, among other benefits. Students had a positive perception of the course.Conclusion. The elective course was associated with increased use of effective learning strategies, adoption of healthy lifestyle practices that aid learning, and increased appreciation for evidence-based learning strategies by the students. Future studies are needed to examine actual learning outcomes and barriers to implementation of evidence-based learning techniques. (02/2021)

Books and Chapters

  • Knecht K.T., Bui H.T., Tran D.K., Sabaté J. . Obesity: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Prevention. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2007. 299 - 314 (03/2007) (link)