[Status of Evidence-based Medicine Education in Undergraduate Pharmacy Curricula]

Development and implementation of an online formulary exercise for fifth-year pharmacy students during an experiential hospital practice training

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Formulary systems play a crucial role in healthcare organizations by promoting collaboration and ensuring the rational and cost-effective utilization of medications. With a rise in pharmacist involvement in hospital formulary management, this study aims to describe the components of an online formulary exercise, assess fifth-year students' perceptions of this exercise, and evaluate its effectiveness in understanding formulary management and the pharmacist's role.

EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY AND SETTING

The online formulary exercise was initiated during hospital practice training at Kitasato University Hospital since October 2021. Students underwent reading assignments and a pre-test before participating in the program. The one-day program included a pre-practice test, 1.5 h of pre-recorded video lectures, 2.5 h of two small group discussions, a 1-h individual assignment creating a proton pump inhibitor comparison chart, 30 min of group presentations, and feedback from clinical faculty. Post-program assessments comprised a test, evaluations, and surveys on difficulty, necessity, and impressions. Analysis involved descriptive methods and thematic analysis for free-form responses, and a Friedman test for test scores.

FINDINGS

The surveys conducted between July 2022 and February 2023 were compiled and analyzed. This study assessed the impact of an online formulary exercise program on 100 participants, revealing an improvement in formulary understanding (97%) and a high recommendation rate (92%). Test performance demonstrated an improvement (p < 0.05, r = 0.85), with students recognizing the importance of contributing to the reduction of healthcare costs. The program positively influenced students' formulary knowledge and readiness for pharmacist roles.

SUMMARY

This online formulary exercise provided a valuable opportunity for students to learn about formulary management. The use of survey results and test scores demonstrated the positive impact of both pre-assignments and exercise on students' comprehension of formulary, enhancing not only their understanding but also fostering a sense of responsibility as future pharmacists.

Information-seeking behaviour of community pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic: an ecological study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the information-seeking behaviour of pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic and its relation to COVID-19 and related infections and deaths within the local prefecture.

DESIGN

Ecological study.

SETTING

Japan-47 prefectures.

METHODS

The number of accesses to a Japanese web page established by the Pharmacy Informatics Group to disseminate information about infection control and the number of infections and deaths in 47 prefectures were investigated from 6 April to 30 September 2020 using the access information on the web page and publicly available information.

RESULTS

During the first 6 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, the total number of accesses was 226 130 (range: 10 984-138 898 per month), the total number of infections was 78 761 (1738-31 857) and the total number of deaths was 1470 (39-436). The correlation between the total number of accesses and that of infections per 100 000 individuals in 47 prefectures was r=0.72 (95% CI 0.55 to 0.83, p<0.001), and between the total number of accesses and deaths per 100 000 individuals in 47 prefectures was r=0.44 (95% CI 0.17 to 0.65, p=0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

The information-seeking behaviour of community pharmacists correlated positively with infection status within the community.

Tobacco cessation training in 6-year pharmacy schools in Japan: a cross-sectional survey

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to identify the extent of tobacco cessation training content, including the introduction of a comprehensive programme; and the presence of tobacco-related topics, including new tobacco products, school years and course of training, educators, and attitudes and policies relevant to tobacco education in pharmacy schools in Japan.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional survey.

SETTING

All pharmacy schools in Japan with a 6-year course of training were invited to participate.

METHODS

Pharmacy schools in Japan that agreed to participate in a web-based survey asking about tobacco cessation training, and attitudes and policies relevant to tobacco education.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was the number of pharmacy schools that introduced comprehensive tobacco cessation training in their curriculum. The secondary outcome was to clarify the curriculum coverage of 9 basic knowledge and 10 tobacco cessation-specific topics, including new tobacco products.

RESULTS

Of the 75 pharmacy schools with a 6-year course in Japan, 52 (74%) responded to the survey. While 27 (52%) schools reported that comprehensive tobacco cessation training would be beneficial, only 1 school had introduced it as a one-credit elective course in the fifth year. Basic knowledge topics for tobacco cessation listed in or related to the Model Core Curriculum were covered by 44%-65% of the schools, while practical skills were covered in 10%-19% of the schools. Only seven schools (14%) introduced the topic of new tobacco products in their curriculum.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed that comprehensive tobacco cessation training is not generally offered in pharmacy schools in Japan. The Model Core Curriculum should revise its standards to implement updated tobacco cessation training programmes to keep up with new tobacco products and to train pharmacy students on counselling users of such products.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences No. 17 - 14.

[Evaluation of an Evidence-based Medicine Educational Program for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Students]

　Practicing evidence-based medicine (EBM) is likely to gain importance for clinical pharmacists in the relatively near future in Japan. An educational program including research and the critical appraisal of literature was required for pharmacy students as of 2015. We organized a six-month practical EBM course for pharmacy students at Hyogo University of Health Sciences. To evaluate its effectiveness, students took a 10-question test after completing the course. The mean score of six students was 8.33±1.79 points. We also conducted a 1-day practical EBM workshop for pharmacists. Changes in knowledge and skills related to EBM were evaluated based on the responses to 10 questions. Knowledge and skills related to several variables improved significantly after the workshop (6.36 points before versus 9.09 points after the workshop; p=0.023). The results suggested that our EBM educational course is effective in improving EBM-related knowledge and skills of pharmacists and pharmacy students.