Evaluation of a professional development course for pharmacists on laboratory values: can practice change?
OBJECTIVE
The practice environment in Alberta has emerged as the most unique in North America, including access to laboratory values, a province-wide electronic health record and legislation to support additional prescribing authority for qualified pharmacists. A course to help pharmacists integrate laboratory values in their medication management of patients was introduced to prepare pharmacists for these changes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate pharmacists' experience with a continuing professional development (CPD) course and its impact on pharmacists' knowledge, confidence and change in practice.


METHODS
A 12-week CPD course for pharmacists on interpreting laboratory values was delivered as a 2-day interactive workshop followed by three distance-learning sessions. The evaluation explored pharmacists' knowledge and confidence using laboratory values in practice, changes in practice and effectiveness of course delivery through pre- and post-course surveys and interviews.


RESULTS
Pharmacists' knowledge about laboratory tests and confidence discussing and using laboratory values in practice significantly improved after course completion. The blended delivery format was viewed positively by course participants. Pharmacists were able to implement learning and make changes in their practice following the course.


CONCLUSIONS
A CPD course for pharmacists on integrating laboratory values improved pharmacists' knowledge and confidence and produced changes in practice.
Faculty of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada. chughes@pharmacy.ualberta.ca
Christine A
CA
Hughes
Theresa J
TJ
Schindel
D000328:Adult; D000416:Alberta; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000592:standards*; D003479:Curriculum; D003625:Data Collection; D020375:Education, Distance / Q000592:standards*; D004513:Education, Pharmacy, Continuing / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010595:Pharmacists; D011364:Professional Practice; D013689:Telephone