Evaluating the Longitudinal Integration of a Medication Safety Training Program into a PharmD Curriculum

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Education
• Medication Safety Training
• Health Professions Education

Background:

• Effective medication safety training is crucial for future pharmacists.
• Integrating practical application enhances learning outcomes.
• The Generation Rx Ambassadors program offers virtual training for medication safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the longitudinal integration of a virtual medication safety training program (Ambassadors) into a Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum.
• To evaluate the program's impact on knowledge retention, self-efficacy, and self-intentions.
• To analyze how students apply training in curricular and co-curricular settings.

Main Methods:

• First-year Doctor of Pharmacy students completed the Ambassadors training.
• Training was applied in required (workshops, IPPEs) and optional (outreach) activities.
• Pre-, post-, and 6-month post-surveys assessed knowledge, self-efficacy, and self-intentions; thematic analysis explored messaging in rotations.

Main Results:

• Students showed significant knowledge retention and increased self-efficacy from pre- to 6-month post-surveys.
• Ambassador self-intention significantly decreased from post- to 6-month post-surveys.
• Workshops impacted self-intention; outreach events increased self-efficacy and self-intention; thematic analysis supported increased self-efficacy.

Conclusions:

• Longitudinal integration of the Ambassadors program and practice activities successfully enhanced student knowledge and self-efficacy in medication safety.
• The program provides a successful model for improving pharmacy students' ability to deliver medication safety messaging.
• Experiential application is key to reinforcing training and building confidence in patient interactions.