Tasha Woodall1, Ashley Pokallus2, Shannon Rice3, Mollie Ashe Scott4. 1. Associate Director of Pharmacotherapy - Geriatrics, Mountain Area Health Education Center, Asheville, NC, United States; Assistant Professor of Clinical Education, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, United States. 2. Associates in Family Medicine, Fort Collins, CO, United States. 3. Clinical Assistant Professor in Clinical Sciences, University of Texas at Tyler Ben and Maytee Fisch College of Pharmacy, United States. 4. Regional Associate Dean and Clinical Associate Professor, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Asheville, NC, United States; Clinical Associate Professor, UNC School of Medicine and UNC Health Sciences at MAHEC, Chapel Hill, NC, United States. Electronic address: mollies@email.unc.edu.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Concerns exist that the current health care workforce is underprepared to meet the needs of the aging American population. This study evaluated the current emphasis on geriatrics in doctor of pharmacy curricula. METHODS: A 61-item web-based survey was distributed to associate deans with oversight of pharmacy curricula at all United States (US) schools and colleges of pharmacy (S/COP). Information collected included school demographics, employment of geriatrics faculty, geriatric education (required, elective, and experiential courses), co-curricular geriatric experiences, postgraduate residency training in geriatrics, student interest in geriatrics, and perception of preparedness of the profession to care for older adults. RESULTS: Of responding S/COP, 35% required a course in geriatrics while 63% offered a geriatrics elective. An advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) in geriatrics was required by 14%, and 79% offered an elective APPE. Insufficient curricular emphasis on geriatrics was noted by 44% of responding schools, and 33% lacked confidence that the profession of pharmacy is adequately prepared to care for the aging population. CONCLUSIONS: According to the survey respondents, most pharmacy schools do not have a required didactic course or APPE in geriatrics. Additional emphasis on foundational principles of medication management for older adults in pharmacy curricula is warranted to meet the health care needs of the rapidly aging US population.
INTRODUCTION: Concerns exist that the current health care workforce is underprepared to meet the needs of the aging American population. This study evaluated the current emphasis on geriatrics in doctor of pharmacy curricula. METHODS: A 61-item web-based survey was distributed to associate deans with oversight of pharmacy curricula at all United States (US) schools and colleges of pharmacy (S/COP). Information collected included school demographics, employment of geriatrics faculty, geriatric education (required, elective, and experiential courses), co-curricular geriatric experiences, postgraduate residency training in geriatrics, student interest in geriatrics, and perception of preparedness of the profession to care for older adults. RESULTS: Of responding S/COP, 35% required a course in geriatrics while 63% offered a geriatrics elective. An advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) in geriatrics was required by 14%, and 79% offered an elective APPE. Insufficient curricular emphasis on geriatrics was noted by 44% of responding schools, and 33% lacked confidence that the profession of pharmacy is adequately prepared to care for the aging population. CONCLUSIONS: According to the survey respondents, most pharmacy schools do not have a required didactic course or APPE in geriatrics. Additional emphasis on foundational principles of medication management for older adults in pharmacy curricula is warranted to meet the health care needs of the rapidly aging US population.