Assessment of the Pharmacogenomics Educational Needs of Pharmacists

Abstract

Objectives. To evaluate the self-perceived knowledge and confidence of inpatient and outpatient pharmacists in applying pharmacogenomics information to clinical practice. Methods. A 19-question multiple-choice, electronic needs-assessment survey instrument was distributed to 480 inpatient and outpatient pharmacists in a large, academic, multi-campus healthcare system. Results. The survey response rate was 64% (303). Most respondents (85%) agreed that pharmacists should be required to be knowledgeable about pharmacogenomics, and 65% agreed that pharmacists should be capable of providing information on the appropriate use of pharmacogenomics testing. Sixtythree percent felt they could not accurately apply the results of pharmacogenomics tests to drug-therapy selection, dosing, or monitoring. Conclusion. Pharmacists believe pharmacogenomics knowledge is important to the profession, but they lack the knowledge and self-confidence to act on the results of pharmacogenomics testing and may benefit from pharmacogenomics education.

Development and Evaluation of a Pharmacogenomics Educational Program for Pharmacists

“…We analyzed a subset of responders (n5181) from our original needs assessment to determine if the 2 groups were similar and found that the demographics of the large group were not different from those of the postsurvey data (n584). 13 Although we had a lower-than-expected matched-survey response rate, the responders to the post-education survey instrument were representative of those who responded to an earlier survey instrument with respect to work setting, percent of time spent at bedside, and years in practice. The results of this study, therefore, are generalizable to the large population of health system pharmacists who we previously assessed.…”

“…13,14 This task was achieved by addressing an educational gap that was identified as a result of the needs assessment for inpatient and outpatient pharmacists.…”

“…13 The pharmacy department at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, mandated the educational program for inpatient, outpatient, and administration pharmacists located on the study campus. The required educational program consisted of a 1-hour, case-based presentation focusing on fundamental principles of pharmacogenomics, including metabolic, labeling, and genomic considerations.…”

“…[10][11][12] An assessment of the pharmacogenomics educational needs of hospital and outpatient pharmacists was performed to facilitate the development of a pharmacogenomics educational program. 13 Results of the needs assessment showed that although pharmacists believed that pharmacogenomics knowledge was important to the pharmacy profession, they lacked the knowledge and self-confidence to make therapeutic recommendations based on pharmacogenomics test results. 13 Similarly, a community pharmacy survey found that pharmacists were not confident in their knowledge of genetic testing and pharmacogenomics.…”

“…13 Results of the needs assessment showed that although pharmacists believed that pharmacogenomics knowledge was important to the pharmacy profession, they lacked the knowledge and self-confidence to make therapeutic recommendations based on pharmacogenomics test results. 13 Similarly, a community pharmacy survey found that pharmacists were not confident in their knowledge of genetic testing and pharmacogenomics. 14 These results suggest that pharmacists would benefit from a clinically relevant pharmacogenomics educational program.…”