Initiation and preliminary evaluation of an oncology pharmacy training course for staff pharmacists.
BACKGROUND
There is currently a disparity between oncology pharmacy job openings and PGY2 trained pharmacists completing residency training each year. As a result, pharmacists without specialized training in oncology are filling much needed oncology positions and may need on-the-job oncology training. To improve oncology knowledge among non-PGY2 trained pharmacists working in oncology positions, Novant Health coordinated an Oncology Pharmacy Training Course (OPTC).


OBJECTIVE
The primary objective was to assess efficacy of the OPTC through evaluation of post-intervention oncology knowledge. Secondary objectives included efficacy of each lecture, assessment of knowledge improvement in those with and without residency or chemotherapy training, and assessment of satisfaction with the OPTC.


METHODS
This was a prospective, cohort study. All pharmacists expressing interest in the OPTC were included unless PGY2 oncology residency trained or Board-Certified in Oncology Pharmacy (BCOP). Participants were invited to attend twice monthly lectures and were evaluated using questionnaires at baseline, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months.


RESULTS
At the 3-month evaluation, 29 pharmacists completed the per-protocol evaluation. Knowledge scores increased from a mean of 29.6% to 52.2% (p < 0.01). Ten participants were chemotherapy trained. Baseline knowledge scores were slightly higher in the chemotherapy-trained than training naïve participants (mean 42.5% vs. 27.4%). Both groups experienced significantly improved knowledge scores at 3 months (mean 59% and 48.1% respectively, p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Implementation of a formalized OPTC can improve oncology knowledge among staff pharmacists in a community hospital system. This improvement in knowledge is consistent regardless of baseline chemotherapy training.
Department of Pharmacy, Novant Health - Presbyterian Medical Center, Charlotte, NC, USA mssaylor@novanthealth.org.
Matthew S
MS
Saylor
Department of Pharmacy, Novant Health - Presbyterian Medical Center, Charlotte, NC, USA.
Lisa M
LM
Blanchette
Novant Health Cancer Specialists - Matthews, Matthews, NC, USA.
Morgan B
MB
Smith
Novant Health Cancer Specialists - Matthews, Matthews, NC, USA.
Katie
K
Cambron
St. Jude Affiliate Clinic at Novant Health Hemby Children's Hospital, Charlotte, NC, USA.
Katie
K
Andricopulos
Novant Health Oncology Specialists - Winston-Salem, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
M Jay
MJ
Brown
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002568:Certification; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003479:Curriculum; D004513:Education, Pharmacy, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D006040:Goals; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000193:education*; D010595:Pharmacists; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents
Oncology pharmacy; competency; staff pharmacist; training course