Continuing professional development training program among pharmacist preceptors and nonpreceptors

Objectives: To administer, observe, and evaluate the effectiveness of a condensed continuing professional development (CPD) training program among chain community pharmacy preceptors and nonpreceptors in North Carolina. Methods: 120 community preceptors and nonpreceptors affiliated with a large community chain pharmacy completed a 5-hour CPD program consisting of home study and live portions and were given pre- and postintervention surveys. The main outcome measures were knowledge and familiarity of CPD among community chain pharmacy preceptors and nonpreceptors, effectiveness of the condensed training program, and perceptions on implementing the CPD process after training. Results: Before the educational activity, differences between participants were (1) the percent of women pharmacists (40% of preceptors and 65% of nonpreceptors) and (2) that preceptors were more likely to accomplish planned learning activities compared with nonpreceptors. Of 97 nonpreceptors and 23 preceptors trained, more than 90% reported being able to achieve the program objectives and responded positively to the survey questions and 100% indicated that the educational activity enhanced their knowledge and skill levels. At least 85% of participants responded that the program length was satisfactory. The postsurvey revealed that 87% of participants were at least moderately familiar with the concept of CPD. Of respondents, 83% indicated that they will implement CPD at their practice site. Conclusion: A condensed CPD program is efficient and effective in training community chain pharmacy preceptors and nonpreceptors. The majority of the pharmacists who responded indicated that they will implement CPD at their practice site after going through this program.