A Multi-Mode Education Program to Enhance Asthma Care by Pharmacists

Objective. To provide optimal asthma care, community pharmacists must have advanced, contemporary knowledge, and the skills to translate that knowledge into practice. The development and evaluation of an innovative multi-mode education program to enhance pharmacists' clinical knowledge and practical skills is described. Methods. The online education modules were collaboratively developed alongside asthma and pharmacy organizations. The education program was comprised of five evidence-based education modules delivered online and a skills review conducted either in-person with real-time feedback (urban pharmacists) or via video upload and scheduled video-conference feedback (regional and remote pharmacists). A mixed methods approach was used to evaluate the feedback obtained from pharmacists to assess the content, efficacy, and applicability of the education. Results. Ninety-seven pharmacists opted into the program and successfully completed all education requirements. A larger proportion of pharmacists did not pass trial protocol-based education modules on their first attempts compared to the number that passed the asthma and medication knowledge-based modules. Prior to skills review, the proportion of pharmacists demonstrating device technique competency was suboptimal. Pharmacists rated the education modules highly in both quantitative and qualitative evaluations and reported that the program adequately prepared them to better deliver care to asthma patients. Conclusion. We developed, implemented, and evaluated a novel multi-mode asthma education program for community pharmacists that supports knowledge and practical skill development in this crucial area of patient care. The education program was well received by pharmacists. This form of education could be used more broadly in international collaborative trials.