From implementation to impact: Evaluation of a Pharmacist Primary Care Certificate Training Program using the RE-AIM...

As the pharmacy profession transforms toward practice centered around direct patient care and clinical services, retooling the existing workforce may be required for pharmacists to take on expanded roles, especially in an increasingly competitive job market. To help meet this need, a 12-week, 30-hour Pharmacist Primary Care Certificate Training Program was developed, accredited, and implemented in 2021, aiming to prepare pharmacists to engage in direct patient care and develop the skills and expertise necessary to practice in outpatient primary care settings.

The purpose of this study was to apply the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework to evaluate the Pharmacist Primary Care Certificate Training Program.

This mixed-methods study applied the RE-AIM framework to evaluate the primary care certificate program. Data sources included enrollment and completion records, immediate postprogram evaluations, and follow-up surveys and interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively; qualitative data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.

Fifty-eight pharmacists across 9 states and 2 countries completed the program between May 2021 and November 2024. Most reported improved primary care knowledge (96.4%), confidence applying skills (94.6%), and enhanced job marketability (87.5%) at the end of the program. Learners valued the flexible online format, simulation activities, and mentorship. Follow-up surveys and interviews conducted between April and May 2024 indicated sustained practice change, self-efficacy, and career advancement among participants. Common barriers to sustained change and implementation of clinical services included time, reimbursement, and employer support.

The RE-AIM framework provided a comprehensive approach to evaluate the Pharmacist Primary Care Certificate Training Program's implementation and long-term impact. Results support certificate-based training as a feasible, scalable strategy to expand pharmacist skills and roles in outpatient primary care. Findings offer a replicable model for designing and assessing similar programs.