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Engaging Students in Pharmacogenetics: Patient Case Studies Using the PharmGKB Website.
Andrea M Mosquera1,2, Lauren M Aleksunes1,2,3
1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rutgers University, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Piscataway, NJ.
Coursesource
|July 21, 2023
Summary
This study developed an interactive lesson on pharmacogenetics, using the PharmGKB resource to guide drug prescribing. The activity successfully taught students how genetic variations in cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes affect medication response and dosing.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacogenomics
- Medical Education
- Drug Metabolism
Background:
- Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes are crucial for drug efficacy and toxicity.
- Genetic variations in CYP enzymes significantly influence patient responses to medications and can lead to adverse effects.
- The PharmGKB database provides essential pharmacogenomic data and clinical guidelines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create an interactive, case-based educational activity demonstrating pharmacogenetics in medication prescribing.
- To teach students how to utilize pharmacogenetic principles to optimize drug therapy decisions.
Main Methods:
- A two-hour online interactive session was conducted for 71 students.
- The session included a lecture on pharmacogenetics, an introduction to the PharmGKB website, and case studies.
- Students worked in groups using PharmGKB to analyze patient cases and recommend drug treatments.
Main Results:
- Patient cases covered genetic variations in CYP enzymes (CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP3A5, CYP2B6) impacting treatments for depression, pain, organ transplantation, and viral infections.
- Students successfully used PharmGKB to answer questions and formulate treatment plans.
- Pre-/post-lesson assessments and feedback indicated effective learning of pharmacogenetics principles.
Conclusions:
- An interactive, group-based learning approach is effective for teaching pharmacogenetics.
- This activity successfully connected students to online pharmacogenomic resources for informed drug dosing.
- Pharmacogenetic principles can be effectively integrated into medical education to improve prescribing practices.
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