Effects of Using Personal Genotype Data on Student Learning and Attitudes in a Pharmacogenomics Course

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate the impact of personal genotyping and a novel educational approach on student attitudes, knowledge, and beliefs regarding pharmacogenomics and genomic medicine. Methods. Two online elective courses (pharmacogenomics and genomic medicine) were offered to student pharmacists at the University of Florida using a flipped-classroom, patient-centered teaching approach. In the pharmacogenomics course, students could be genotyped and apply results to patient cases.Results. Thirty-four and 19 student pharmacists completed the pharmacogenomics and genomic medicine courses, respectively, and 100% of eligible students (n534) underwent genotyping. Student knowledge improved after the courses. Seventy-four percent (n525) of students reported better understanding of pharmacogenomics based on having undergone genotyping. Conclusions. Completion of a novel pharmacogenomics elective course sequence that incorporated personal genotyping and genomic medicine was associated with increased student pharmacist knowledge and improved clinical confidence with pharmacogenomics.

The Pharmacogenomics Research Network Translational Pharmacogenetics Program: Outcomes and Metrics of Pharmacogenetic Implementations Across Diverse Healthcare Systems

“…The University of Chicago, Ohio State University, Mayo Clinic, and Vanderbilt University offer postdoctoral fellowship programs that are accredited by the American Board of Clinical Pharmacology and offer training in pharmacogenomics. Additionally, students enrolled in the pharmacy and medical schools at the University of Florida and University of Maryland received their personal pharmacogenetic genotype test results as part of their curriculum . TPP members continue to present at grand rounds, in‐services, and high‐profile domestic and international symposia, which have been shown to significantly improve attitudes toward pharmacogenetic testing and pharmacogenetic testing rates …”

Pharmacy students’ attitudes and perceptions toward pharmacogenomics education

“…The University of California San Diego Pharmacogenomics Education Program, 22 University of Pittsburgh's Test2Learn, 23 University of Florida Health Personalized Medicine Program graduate and certificate training program, 24 and the University of Colorado Pharmacogenomics Certificate Program 25 are all excellent opportunities for pharmacy school faculty to receive hands-on training in pharmacogeno mics either in person or virtually. Some programs provide a shared curriculum that may be adopted in various schools, and some use the train-the-trainer methods to provide the best results.…”

Personal microbiome analysis improves student engagement and interest in Immunology, Molecular Biology, and Genomics undergraduate courses

“…As sequencing costs have decreased and genetic tests have become more common, science and medical educators have increased the frequency of implementation of personal data analysis in the classroom [ 42 – 44 ]. Implementation of personal genomics analysis into the classroom has occurred at numerous schools including Stanford, Pennsylvania State University, University of Pennsylvania, Duke and others [ 20 , 45 , 46 ]. Analysis of genetics and race using next generation sequencing has recently been used successfully in high school classrooms to improve student learning [ 47 ].…”