Pharmacist Web-based training program on medication use in chronic kidney disease patients: impact on knowledge,...

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are multimorbid elderly at high risk of drug-related problems. A Web-based training program was developed based on a list of significant drug-related problems in CKD patients requiring a pharmaceutical intervention. The objectives were to evaluate the impact of the program on community pharmacists' knowledge and skills and their satisfaction with the training.

Pharmacists were randomized to the training program or the control group. Training comprised a 60-minute Web-based interactive session supported by a clinical guide. Pharmacists completed a questionnaire on knowledge (10 multiple-choice questions) and skills (2 clinical vignettes) at baseline and a second time within 1 month. Trained pharmacists completed a written satisfaction questionnaire. Semidirected telephone interviews were conducted with 8 trained pharmacists. Changes in knowledge and skills scores were compared between the groups.

Seventy pharmacists (training: 52; control: 18) were recruited; the majority were women with <15 years' experience. Compared with the control group, an adjusted incremental increase in the knowledge score (22%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 16%-27%) and skills score (24%; 95% CI: 16%-33%) was observed in the training group. Most pharmacists (87%-100%) rated each aspect of the program "excellent'' or "very good." Additional training and adding a discussion forum were suggested to complement the program.

Pharmacists like the Web-based continuing education program. Over a short time span, the program improved their knowledge and skills. Its impact on their clinical practices and quality of medication use in CKD patients remains to be assessed.