A Drug Interactions Elective Course

Objectives

To evaluate the impact of a drug interactions elective course on student knowledge and skills.

Design

A drug interactions elective which focused on assessment and application of drug interaction information and identification and management of commonly encountered drug interactions by therapeutic category was offered to third-year PharmD students. Students were expected to (1) determine whether a given interaction was clinically significant or required pharmacist intervention, and (2) make rational, scientifically sound, practical recommendations for management of drug interactions.

Evaluation and Assessment

Assessment included course evaluations, student self-assessments, and knowledge and skills assessments. Students who completed the course were more confident in their abilities relating to drug interactions than students who did not complete the course. Students who completed the course scored significantly better in all areas of the assessment compared to students who did not complete the course. Course evaluation results were also positive.

Conclusion

A course devoted to the identification and management of drug interactions improved PharmD students'' knowledge and skills and could potentially improve the patient care they provide in the future.