<p>Development and Evaluation of an Educational Program for Community Pharmacists on Cardiovascular Risk Assessment</p>

Abstract

Purpose: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment is an important strategy for the prevention of CVD. Pharmacists play an important role in CVD risk assessment and management (CVDRAM). Our previous study identified gaps in knowledge among community pharmacists for the provision of CVDRAM services as assessed through patient simulation. Therefore, our objectives were: a) to develop and evaluate an educational program on CVD risk assessment for community pharmacists, b) to assess the knowledge and skills of participating pharmacists in assessing and managing CVD risk before and after enrolling in the educational program and c) to explore pharmacists' satisfaction and perceived effectiveness of the educational program. Methods: Using a blended learning instructional approach, the educational program for a subset of 25 community pharmacists recruited from our previous study consisted of two face-to-face workshops, and an online 5-module course on CVD risk factors such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and smoking cessation based on principles of adult learning. A repeated measures study design was utilized by measuring participants' knowledge on pre-and post-questionnaires and an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) at the conclusion of the educational program was also used to assess its impact on the knowledge and skills of community pharmacists in the provision of CVD risk assessment and management (CVDRAM) services. The knowledge questionnaire was completed by 23 pharmacists while the OSCE was completed by 8 pharmacists. In addition, a survey assessed the pharmacists' level of satisfaction with the educational program. Results: At the conclusion of the educational program, the participating pharmacists achieved knowledge and skills for the provision of CVDRAM services. Knowledge scores in relation to CVDRAM significantly improved after the educational program [out of a maximum of 20 points, the median (interquartile range) = 9 (7-9) at pre-vs 12 (12-13) at post-educational program], p<0.001. On the OSCE, the median (interquartile range) scores for Stations 1 and 2 were 66 (63-71) and 71 (67-76), respectively. Out of the 21 pharmacists that completed the satisfaction survey, 71% were very satisfied and 29% were satisfied with the educational program. Conclusion: The educational program improved pharmacists' knowledge and skills for the provision of CVDRAM services.

Evaluating Usability in Blended Learning Programs Within Health Professions Education: a Scoping Review

“…These issues might be present because most studies do not utilize established frameworks to guide their evaluations. In fact, only 4 studies referenced the 4-level Kirkpatrick evaluation model [ 51 , 63 , 78 , 94 ], which is considered to be a widely used model for educational program evaluation [ 95 , 96 ]. However, of these studies, one completed only the first level of evaluation, another completed the first and second level of evaluation, a third completed the first to third levels of evaluation, and the fourth discussed “…an attempt to assess all 4 levels of Kirkpatrick’s evaluation framework…” though the depth to which this was done is questionable.…”

Role of community pharmacists in cardiovascular diseases-related health promotion and dyslipidemia management in Malaysia: A nationwide cross-sectional study

“…This is supported by a study conducted in 2020 by Zolezzi and colleagues, who conducted a workshop series to educate CPs about CVD risk assessment measures. At the end of their study, the authors concluded that the educational programme had successfully improved CPs’ knowledge and skills related to CVD [ 21 ].…”

Concordance of the cardiovascular patient education with the principles of Andragogy model

“…So that, the mean score related to the observance of this principle was higher than the other principles from the model. In line with these findings, in Zolezzi et al’s study to develop and evaluate an educational program on CVD risk assessment based on the adult learning model, the learning needs of individuals in the educational process were considered and emphasized [ 22 ].…”

“…In accordance with this andragogy principle, using active learning and involving adult patients in their health care and education, also making them feel responsible for their learning, has been emphasized in many studies to improve the outcomes of education and treatment [ 3 , 16 , 18 , 22 ].…”