Implementation and evaluation of a structured lecture-based training program for early-career pharmacists

Since 2022, the Cancer Institute Hospital of the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research (JFCR) has participated in a postgraduate clinical training program organized by the Japanese Society of Hospital Pharmacists. Subsequently, the training system for newly employed pharmacists was reviewed. Beginning in 2023, a structured lecture-based training program was introduced for young pharmacists (employees in their first to fifth years of practice). To evaluate the effectiveness and usefulness of the newly implemented lecture-based training program (LBTP), a questionnaire survey was conducted using open-ended and multiple-choice questions based on a 5-point Likert scale. The lectures were conducted with the participation of 12 individuals, all of whom had less than five years of professional experience. All lectures received high ratings in terms of content and the participants' level of understanding, suggesting a high degree of overall satisfaction. Furthermore, after the lectures, the lecturers reported an increased understanding of the lecture-based training program and expressed their willingness to contribute actively in the following fiscal year. Both the participants and lecturers reported high levels of satisfaction, demonstrating the usefulness of the program. As the JFCR is a cancer-specialized hospital, there is a need for more proactive learning on topics beyond oncology. The LBTP had a positive impact on both participants and lecturers, contributing to the enhancement of education for new staff members.