A train-the-trainer approach to a shared pharmacogenomics curriculum for US colleges and schools of pharmacy

Am J Pharm Educ. 2012 Dec 12;76(10):193. doi: 10.5688/ajpe7610193.

Abstract

Objective: To assess pharmacy faculty trainers' perceptions of a Web-based train-the-trainer program for PharmGenEd, a shared pharmacogenomics curriculum for health professional students and licensed clinicians.

Methods: Pharmacy faculty trainers (n=58, representing 39 colleges and schools of pharmacy in the United States and 1 school from Canada) participated in a train-the-trainer program consisting of up to 9 pharmacogenomics topics. Posttraining survey instruments assessed faculty trainers' perceptions toward the training program and the likelihood of their adopting the educational materials as part of their institution's curriculum.

Results: Fifty-five percent of faculty trainers reported no prior formal training in pharmacogenomics. There was a significant increase (p<0.001) in self-reported ability to teach pharmacogenomics to pharmacy students after participants viewed the webinar and obtained educational materials. Nearly two-thirds (64%) indicated at least a "good" likelihood of adopting PharmGenEd materials at their institution during the upcoming academic year. More than two-thirds of respondents indicated interest in using PharmGenEd materials to train licensed health professionals, and 95% indicated that they would recommend the program to other pharmacy faculty members.

Conclusion: As a result of participating in the train-the-trainer program in pharmacogenomics, faculty member participants gained confidence in teaching pharmacogenomics to their students, and the majority of participants indicated a high likelihood of adopting the program at their institution. A Web-based train-the-trainer model appears to be a feasible strategy for training pharmacy faculty in pharmacogenomics.

Keywords: curriculum; faculty development; pharmacogenomics; pharmacy colleges and schools; train-the-trainer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Curriculum
  • Education, Pharmacy*
  • Faculty*
  • Female
  • Health Personnel / education*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pharmacogenetics / education*
  • Schools, Pharmacy
  • Students, Pharmacy*
  • United States