Creating a framework for delivering digital and telehealth knowledge to future and current pharmacists

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Education
• Digital Health
• Telehealth

Background:

• Digital health and telehealth training in pharmacy is often fragmented and inconsistent.
• There is a need for a structured approach to define essential competencies for pharmacists.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a pharmacy-specific framework for digital health and telehealth knowledge and skills.
• To guide student and practicing pharmacists in educational and practice settings.

Main Methods:

• An expert panel conducted a literature review and environmental scan.
• An 18-month iterative, consensus-driven development process was employed.
• Competencies were organized into 7 domains with actionable skills and mapped to entrustable professional activities.

Main Results:

• A comprehensive framework with 7 domains was developed: Technology and Digital Literacy; Patient Communication, Education, and Engagement; Documentation and Information Management; Clinical Assessment and Decision-Making; Operational Management and Workflow Integration; Regulatory Compliance and Ethical Practice; and Quality Improvement and Evaluation.
• The framework includes practical curricular applications for integration into education and professional development.
• The framework addresses gaps in current pharmacy education regarding digital health.

Conclusions:

• The framework provides a foundation for integrating digital health and telehealth competencies into pharmacy education and practice.
• It supports the preparation of pharmacists for safe, effective, and patient-centered care in digitally enabled environments.
• It promotes ongoing professional development and workforce readiness in evolving healthcare technologies.