title: Evaluation of pharmacist continuing professional development portfolios.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to conduct a random continuing professional development (CPD) portfolio audit to assess the portfolios of pharmacists who completed CPD training in the state of North Carolina and reported adopting it in place of the annual 15-hour continuing education (CE) requirement when applying for re-licensure.
  
  
  METHODS
  The NC Board of Pharmacy (NCBOP) staff randomly selected 30 pharmacists to provide CPD portfolio documentation to the Board electronically or in paper format. This documentation included their completed learning plan, a learning activity worksheet for each completed activity, and the Accreditation Council on Pharmacy Education (ACPE) universal activity number for the CPD training program attended. The Task Force used a multicomponent audit tool to assess each portfolio.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty percent of portfolios had at least 15 hours of learning reported. Portfolio assessments indicated an average of 5 learning objectives per individual. Based on the scale of 1 to 5, the Measurable and Specific sections of the objectives scored the lowest with an average score of 3 on both sections. An overall assessment of "adequate" or "comprehensive" was noted for 60% of the portfolios.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pharmacists completing CPD training are capable of following the CPD process with some potential challenges in documentation. Information submitted to the board of pharmacy is considered sufficient for license renewal purposes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD, USA. ttofade@rx.umaryland.edu
authors.forename: Toyin S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Tofade
authors.forename: John N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Hedrick
authors.forename: Stephen C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Dedrick
authors.forename: Stephen M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Caiola
mesh_terms: D000068:Accreditation; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004282:Documentation; D004513:Education, Pharmacy, Continuing / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D009657:North Carolina; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D013192:Staff Development