Ensuring Doctor of Pharmacy Graduates Have the Essential Competencies for Innovative Practice

American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education (03/23) Vol. 27, No. 2 Mourad, Nisreen; Seo, See-Won; Kahaleh, Abby

New Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education Standards and Center for the Advancement of Pharmacy Education Educational Outcome domains for Doctor of Pharmacy programs should incorporate emergency preparedness and response and digital health competencies, according to this commentary. "The evolving digital health landscape of disruption highlights the need to adapt pharmacy education to render digital literacy for all learners," the authors write. "It is also important to foster competency and build innovators at the forefront who can be proactive in emergency response planning and also embrace change through digital health innovations." The importance of pharmacists in emergency preparedness and response reflects the advent of many public health emergencies over the years. "Pharmacy curricula should incorporate aspects of global public health and emergency preparedness and response to yield pharmacists with the expertise, knowledge and skills needed to enable them to combat pandemics," the authors recommend. Training should include planning, supporting and disseminating evidence-based information, along with a focus on interdisciplinary skills, mental health education and knowledge of resources management and deployment of best practices. Also critical is educating patients on the skills, knowledge and proficiencies of pharmacists in delivering primary, secondary and tertiary services. The authors further urge the inclusion of digital health in the health professions curriculum, which colleges of pharmacy can facilitate "by highlighting ongoing and new digital health applications," the authors write.

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