Evaluation of pharmacist continuing professional development portfolios.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to conduct a random continuing professional development (CPD) portfolio audit to assess the portfolios of pharmacists who completed CPD training in the state of North Carolina and reported adopting it in place of the annual 15-hour continuing education (CE) requirement when applying for re-licensure. METHODS: The NC Board of Pharmacy (NCBOP) staff randomly selected 30 pharmacists to provide CPD portfolio documentation to the Board electronically or in paper format. This documentation included their completed learning plan, a learning activity worksheet for each completed activity, and the Accreditation Council on Pharmacy Education (ACPE) universal activity number for the CPD training program attended. The Task Force used a multicomponent audit tool to assess each portfolio. RESULTS: Eighty percent of portfolios had at least 15 hours of learning reported. Portfolio assessments indicated an average of 5 learning objectives per individual. Based on the scale of 1 to 5, the Measurable and Specific sections of the objectives scored the lowest with an average score of 3 on both sections. An overall assessment of "adequate" or "comprehensive" was noted for 60% of the portfolios. CONCLUSION: Pharmacists completing CPD training are capable of following the CPD process with some potential challenges in documentation. Information submitted to the board of pharmacy is considered sufficient for license renewal purposes.

Integration of a clinical pharmacist into the hematology-oncology clinics at an academic medical center.

PURPOSE: The development, implementation, and early experience with a program providing clinical pharmacist services at the hematology-oncology clinics of a university teaching hospital are described. SUMMARY: With funding from a university research grant and other sources, a pharmacist was hired to launch a new program addressing four goals identified in a needs assessment: (1) improved management of supportive care, (2) enhanced education of patients receiving complicated chemotherapy regimens, (3) improved efficiency in the chemotherapy infusion unit, and (4) development of an experiential learning opportunity for pharmacy students and residents. The pharmacist hired to lead the ongoing program was a state-approved clinical pharmacist practitioner (CPP) who had authority to prescribe with physician oversight under established protocols. EXPERIENCE: An oncology supportive care consultation service implemented by the CPP in collaboration with a nurse and a physician served 89 new patients in its first 18 months of operation; during that period the CPP made 186 interventions and wrote 136 prescriptions. The CPP also established a chemotherapy counseling service that provided more than 900 bill-able patient education sessions over 18 months. In addition, the CPP launched an effort to increase use of a rituximab rapid-infusion protocol among eligible patients. The creation of the new oncology pharmacist position has given dozens of pharmacy students and residents a new opportunity for interaction with oncology clinic patients and other health care team members. CONCLUSION: Integration of the services of a CPP into the hematology-oncology clinics has helped achieve goals set by physician, nursing, and pharmacy leaders.

Continuing professional development training program among pharmacist preceptors and nonpreceptors.

OBJECTIVES: To administer, observe, and evaluate the effectiveness of a condensed continuing professional development (CPD) training program among chain community pharmacy preceptors and nonpreceptors in North Carolina. METHODS: 120 community preceptors and nonpreceptors affiliated with a large community chain pharmacy completed a 5-hour CPD program consisting of home study and live portions and were given pre- and postintervention surveys. The main outcome measures were knowledge and familiarity of CPD among community chain pharmacy preceptors and nonpreceptors, effectiveness of the condensed training program, and perceptions on implementing the CPD process after training. RESULTS: Before the educational activity, differences between participants were (1) the percent of women pharmacists (40% of preceptors and 65% of nonpreceptors) and (2) that preceptors were more likely to accomplish planned learning activities compared with nonpreceptors. Of 97 nonpreceptors and 23 preceptors trained, more than 90% reported being able to achieve the program objectives and responded positively to the survey questions and 100% indicated that the educational activity enhanced their knowledge and skill levels. At least 85% of participants responded that the program length was satisfactory. The postsurvey revealed that 87% of participants were at least moderately familiar with the concept of CPD. Of respondents, 83% indicated that they will implement CPD at their practice site. CONCLUSION: A condensed CPD program is efficient and effective in training community chain pharmacy preceptors and nonpreceptors. The majority of the pharmacists who responded indicated that they will implement CPD at their practice site after going through this program.

Evaluation of a condensed training program to introduce the process of continuing professional development.

OBJECTIVES: Continuing professional development (CPD) is a novel approach to learning and developing as a professional. The purpose of this study is to administer, observe, and evaluate a condensed CPD training program to determine its effectiveness. STUDY METHOD: The program consists of a 2-hour home study section with reflective components and a 3-hour live portion complete with active learning activities and group exercises. Pre- and post-surveys were administered to participants, with several questions being asked to determine their perception of the CPD process. RESULTS: Of the 21 participants that attended the program, 99% indicated on the post-workshop evaluation that they were able to accomplish the pre-stated program objectives. Of the 19 participants who completed the pre- and post-surveys, 88% responded that the program time was just right for them. After the post-survey, 71% responded that they were very familiar with the concept of CPD as opposed to 11% on the pre-survey. CONCLUSION: A combined 2-hour self-study and 3-hour live interactive program is efficient and effective in training professionals on CPD.

North Carolina family practice physicians' perceptions of pharmacists as vaccinators.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether family practice physicians are aware that pharmacists can administer vaccines and assess their support of pharmacists as vaccinators. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: North Carolina. PARTICIPANTS: 571 family practice physicians. INTERVENTIONS: Mail survey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Physician attitudes toward pharmacists' involvement with a variety of vaccines and patient populations. RESULTS: A total of 25% of physicians correctly reported that pharmacists could administer vaccines in North Carolina, a state that had recently passed legislation permitting this practice. Almost 50% of the physicians supported pharmacists administering the influenza vaccine. Pharmacist administration of other vaccines received less support. Physicians who were newer to family practice had more positive attitudes than physicians who were in practice for longer periods of time. CONCLUSION: While agreeing that the role of the pharmacist in patient care is becoming more important, physicians were neither very knowledgeable about nor supportive of pharmacists as vaccinators.