Continuing education course to attain collaborative comprehensive medication review competencies

Abstract

Objective: To implement a long-term continuing education course for pharmacy practitioners to acquire competency in and accreditation for conducting collaborative comprehensive medication reviews (CMRs).

Design: A 1(1/2)- year curriculum for practicing pharmacists that combined distance learning (using e-learning tools) and face-to-face learning was created. The training consisted of 5 modules: (1) Multidisciplinary Collaboration; (2) Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacotherapy; (3) Rational Pharmacotherapy; (4) CMR Tools; and (5) Optional Studies.

Assessment: The curriculum and participants' learning were evaluated using essays and learning diaries. At the end of the course, students submitted portfolios and completed an Internet-based survey instrument. Almost all respondents (92%) indicated their educational needs had been met by the course and 68% indicated they would conduct CMRs in their practice. The most important factors facilitating learning were working with peers and in small groups. Factors preventing learning were mostly related to time constraints.

Conclusion: Comprehensive medication review competencies were established by a 1(1/2)- year continuing education curriculum that combined different teaching methods and experiential learning. Peer support was greatly appreciated as a facilitator of learning by course participants.

Keywords: continuing education; distance education; experiential learning; medication review.

Figures

Figure 1

Core contents of the CMR training (35 ECTS credits (cp), 1.5 years).

Figure 2

Opinions of CMR training participants on factors facilitating or preventing learning (open-ended question, % of the respondents, n=35).