Core competencies in natural health products for Canadian pharmacy students.
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.
Byrne
Ani
A
University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
Boon
Heather
H
Austin
Zubin
Z
Jurgens
Tannis
T
Raman-Wilms
Lalitha
L
D001688:Biological Products / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002170:Canada; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003162:Competency-Based Education / Q000379:methods*; D032921:Consensus; D003479:Curriculum; D003697:Delphi Technique; D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000592:standards; D013339:Students, Pharmacy
D001688:Biological Products