Addressing disparities in pharmacogenomics through rural and underserved workforce education

Area of Science:

• Pharmacogenomics
• Health Disparities
• Workforce Education

Background:

• Pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing is underutilized in rural and underserved areas.
• A gap exists in accessible PGx training for healthcare professionals in these regions.
• This limits the equitable implementation of precision medicine.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement a pharmacogenomic (PGx) workforce education program for pharmacists in rural and underserved Minnesota.
• To enhance pharmacists' knowledge and skills in clinical PGx application.
• To facilitate the adoption of PGx testing in areas with health disparities.

Main Methods:

• A 16-week asynchronous didactic course, case-based workshops, and conference attendance were provided.
• Training was funded by the Minnesota Department of Health and offered by the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy.
• The program targeted pharmacists serving rural and underserved populations in Minnesota.

Main Results:

• 12 pharmacists completed the training, with most practicing outside traditional hospital settings.
• Participants reported improved ability to access PGx guidelines and interpret test results.
• A majority expected to increase PGx consultations and apply learned skills within a year.

Conclusions:

• The novel training program successfully equipped pharmacists in underserved areas with PGx knowledge.
• The program design facilitated remote and convenient learning.
• This initiative is poised to increase PGx testing adoption in rural Minnesota.