TY - JOUR
T1 - An evaluation of Australian pharmacists’ knowledge of glaucoma
T2 - effectiveness of continuous professional development education events
AU - Soriano, Cyd
AU - Wechsler, David
AU - White, Andrew
AU - Goldberg, Ivan
AU - Pollard, Geoff
AU - Naunton, Mark
PY - 2016
Y1 - 2016
N2 - Objectives: We aimed to determine the effectiveness of a series of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) seminars on glaucoma therapy for pharmacists and to identify potential gaps in knowledge. Methods: We evaluated pharmacists’ knowledge using a questionnaire distributed to pharmacists attending a glaucoma seminar conducted by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia or the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia, in conjunction with Glaucoma Australia, before (pre-test) and after (post-test) each seminar. The seminars were conducted at seven locations in Australia and there were 138 respondents. Results: Of the 138 pre-test and 124 post-test responses around Australia, there were 105 matched-pairs. Overall, the seminar significantly improved post- test responses compared with pre-test responses (Wilcoxon Matched Pairs test, p = < 0.05), except for one case-based question. Conclusion: While there was reasonable glaucoma knowledge in pharmacists, improvements are needed for step-up therapy for patients with co-morbidities. One of the case-based style questions highlighted a significant gap in knowledge despite the intervention; thus case-based learning could be useful in assessing participants’ level of understanding and incorporated into educational presentations.
AB - Objectives: We aimed to determine the effectiveness of a series of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) seminars on glaucoma therapy for pharmacists and to identify potential gaps in knowledge. Methods: We evaluated pharmacists’ knowledge using a questionnaire distributed to pharmacists attending a glaucoma seminar conducted by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia or the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia, in conjunction with Glaucoma Australia, before (pre-test) and after (post-test) each seminar. The seminars were conducted at seven locations in Australia and there were 138 respondents. Results: Of the 138 pre-test and 124 post-test responses around Australia, there were 105 matched-pairs. Overall, the seminar significantly improved post- test responses compared with pre-test responses (Wilcoxon Matched Pairs test, p = < 0.05), except for one case-based question. Conclusion: While there was reasonable glaucoma knowledge in pharmacists, improvements are needed for step-up therapy for patients with co-morbidities. One of the case-based style questions highlighted a significant gap in knowledge despite the intervention; thus case-based learning could be useful in assessing participants’ level of understanding and incorporated into educational presentations.
KW - Continuing education
KW - Continuous professional development
KW - Pharmacist knowledge
KW - Pharmacy education
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84958543518&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84958543518
SN - 1560-2214
VL - 16
SP - 42
EP - 47
JO - Pharmacy Education
JF - Pharmacy Education
IS - 1
ER -