Pharmacists' preferences for continuing education and certificate programs

OBJECTIVE: To conduct an assessment of the needs and interests of West Virginia pharmacists with respect to continuing education (CE) and certificate programs (CP) versus a nontraditional PharmD program (NTP). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted. The survey was mailed to 2800 West Virginia University School of Pharmacy alumni and West Virginia licensed pharmacists. The survey collected data pertaining to pharmacists' perceptions for the needs of CE, CP, and the NTP program; the optimal structuring of these programs; and the demographics of participants. RESULTS: A 24% (674) usable response rate was achieved from two mailings. Respondents were asked to address all areas of interest: approximately 75% showed interest in enrolling in CE, 45% in CP, and 40% in the NTP program. Interest levels varied across demographic and practice characteristics. Seven methods of instruction were evaluated by pharmacists, with live lectures being the most preferred for both CE and CP. Interest for specific content areas and topics for CE workshops and CP were identified. The type and amount of employer support and willingness to pay for enrollment in the two types of programs were obtained. Markets' needs for CE and CP were identified for five typical pharmacists' profiles (e.g., staff pharmacists in community practice). CONCLUSIONS: Results can be used by CE providers to develop CE and CP programs of most interest to pharmacists and target them to appropriate demographic segments in order to be cost-effective.