Curriculum in Pharmacoepidemiology Training Programs: A Cross-Sectional Study to Assess Educational Needs and...

Area of Science:

• Pharmacoepidemiology education
• Global health sciences training

Background:

• Pharmacoepidemiology is crucial for evidence-based healthcare decisions.
• Systematic assessment of existing pharmacoepidemiology educational programs against international standards is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the alignment of pharmacoepidemiology training curricula with International Society for Pharmacoepidemiology (ISPE)-recommended core competencies.
• To identify key areas for curriculum content development in pharmacoepidemiology.

Main Methods:

• A global survey was developed by the ISPE Core Competencies Workgroup and leadership.
• Surveys were distributed to leaders of pharmacoepidemiology training programs, utilizing snowball sampling.
• Competency mapping and thematic analysis of needs assessment responses were performed.

Main Results:

• Sixty-four institutions across various sectors and global regions participated.
• Curricula showed strong representation in "Statistics" and "Study Design" but were weakest in "Advanced Modeling" and "Professional Practice."
• Key curriculum development needs included "Methods," "Analytical Skills," and "Communication."

Conclusions:

• Significant gaps exist in global pharmacoepidemiology training, particularly in advanced analytical methods and professional practice.
• The International Society for Pharmacoepidemiology (ISPE) can address these gaps by creating targeted educational resources.
• Developing these resources will enhance methodological rigor and practical skills in the field.