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Pharmacoepidemiology: defining the field and its core content
Judith K Jones1, Hugh H Tilson, James D Lewis
1The Degge Group, Ltd., Arlington, VA, USA.
Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety
|April 11, 2012
Summary
This study identified essential core competencies in pharmacoepidemiology, including pharmacovigilance, data analysis, and epidemiologic methods. These findings will guide curriculum development for future pharmacoepidemiologists.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacoepidemiology
- Drug Safety
- Public Health
Background:
- Growing interest in pharmacoepidemiology necessitates defining its core content.
- The International Society for Pharmacoepidemiology (ISPE) Education Committee aimed to establish consensus on key disciplines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and define the core competencies and knowledge areas within the field of pharmacoepidemiology.
- To establish a consensus on essential skills for professionals in the field.
Main Methods:
- A global survey of ISPE members across industry, academia, and government was conducted.
- The survey assessed competencies in pharmacovigilance, exposure data analysis, epidemiology, clinical pharmacology, medical product regulation, communication, and leadership.
Main Results:
- Pharmacovigilance, exposure data analysis, epidemiologic methods, and communication skills were identified as essential competencies.
- 14 competencies were rated as "essential" by over 80% of respondents.
- The survey identified a broad range of relevant content for the field.
Conclusions:
- A wide array of content is relevant to pharmacoepidemiology, with essential competencies including pharmacovigilance and epidemiologic methods.
- The identified competencies will inform the development of curricula to train future pharmacoepidemiologists.
- The core content of pharmacoepidemiology is expected to evolve over time.
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