White Paper on Herbal Products

Objective. To reach consensus on core competency statements for natural health products (NHPs) for Canadian pharmacy students. Methods. Four rounds of a modified Delphi method were used to achieve consensus on core competency statements for NHPs. Pharmacy educators from Canada and the United States, and representatives from Canadian pharmacy organizations ranked their agreement using a 5-point Likert scale. Results. Consensus was achieved on 3 NHP-related core competency statements: (1) to incorporate NHP knowledge when providing pharmaceutical care; (2) to access and critically appraise NHP-related information sources; and (3) to provide appropriate education to patients and other health care providers on the effectiveness, potential adverse effects, and drug interactions of NHPs. Conclusions. Consensus was reached among leaders in NHP education on 3 NHP-related core competency statements. Implementation of these competencies would ensure that graduating Canadian pharmacists would be able to fulfill their professional responsibilities related to NHPs.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Core Competencies in Natural Health Products for Canadian Pharmacy Students

Byrne

Boon

Austin

et al. 2010

“…Several national pharmacy professional organizations have acknowledged the need for training pharmacists about dietary supplements. 24,25 The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy has identified the need for curricular change to incorporate CAM courses in pharmacy curriculum. 25 In 2005, a competency statement addressing whether pharmacists can provide sufficient information on the documented uses and safety profiles of dietary supplements was added to the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Elective Course on the Basic and Clinical Sciences Aspects of Vitamins and Minerals

Islam¹

2013

Objective. To develop and implement an elective course on vitamins and minerals and their usefulness as dietary supplements. Design. A 2-credit-hour elective course designed to provide students with the most up-to-date basic and clinical science information on vitamins and minerals was developed and implemented in the doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) curriculum. In addition to classroom lectures, an active-learning component was incorporated in the course in the form of group discussion. Assessment. Student learning was demonstrated by examination scores. Performance on pre-and postcourse surveys administered in 2011 demonstrated a significant increase in students' knowledge of the basic and clinical science aspects of vitamins and minerals, with average scores increasing from 61% to 86%. At the end of the semester, students completed a standard course evaluation.Conclusion. An elective course on vitamin and mineral supplements was well received by pharmacy students and helped them to acquire knowledge and competence in patient counseling regarding safe, appropriate, effective, and economical use of these products.

“…9,10 While courses on CAM are increasing, we could not find a description of a pharmacy elective course related specifically to aromatherapy. 15 The purpose of this novel course was to introduce pharmacy students to aromatherapy as a form of alternative medicine and discuss the potential for essential oil and drug interactions through active learning.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…6,7 Because pharmacists are seen as easily accessible and one of the most trusted healthcare professionals among patients, 8 it is imperative that they are equipped with the knowledge to guide and counsel patients on complementary medicines. 9,10 However, many practitioners admit that they are unfamiliar with many CAM approaches that their patients use. 11 There is a need to incorporate this education into pharmacy students' curriculum.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Elective Course in Aromatherapy Science

Esposito

Bystrek

Klein³

2014

Objective. To evaluate the impact of an innovative team-taught elective course on second-year (P2) students' knowledge and skills relating to the relationship between aromatherapy and pharmacy.Design. An Aromatherapy Science elective course was offered to P2 students in an accelerated doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) degree program and was designed to provide an elective course experience while focusing on active-learning skills such as group work, student-led presentations, and in-class activities. Lectures were designed to reinforce core curricular threads from the basic sciences within the pharmaceutical sciences department while highlighting key aromatherapy principles. Assessment. Course evaluations, grades, and student self-assessments were used to evaluate student fulfillment and knowledge gained. Students agreed this hands-on course integrated pharmaceutical science experiences, enriched their pharmacy education, and provided knowledge to enhance their confidence in describing essential oil uses, drug interactions, and key aromatherapy clinical implications. Conclusion. Students agreed this course prepared them to identify essential oil therapeutic uses and potential essential oil-drug interactions, and interpret literature. The introduction of aromatherapy principles to pharmacy students will prepare a new generation of healthcare professionals on the role of alternative medicines.