Using collaborative drug therapy agreements to train student pharmacists to provide clinical patient care services

Abstract

Objective. To assess the impact of a new course designed to train student pharmacists to provide clinical patient care services delivered through collaborative drug practice agreements. Design. An intensive two-credit, one-week course with a combined self-study and interactive pedagogical approach was developed. Content from the online Washington State Pharmacy Association Clinical Community Pharmacist training program was integrated with a live, eight-hour seminar. Assessment. Student-pharmacist learning, effectiveness of content presented, and perceived value of the material were evaluated. Scores on quizzes, a knowledge assessment, a patient-case examination, pre- and post-seminar surveys, and voluntary student certification rate were collected and analyzed. Of 132 student pharmacists enrolled in the course, 121 students met competency on their first attempt at completing the knowledge assessment and 126 students met competency on their first attempt at completing the practical examination. A pre- and post-training survey found that student pharmacists were significantly more comfortable performing and recommending implementation of services after completing the course. Conclusions. Training student pharmacists who are competent and comfortable providing clinical patient care services can improve access to care and reduce the impact of the impending physician shortage.