An Anticoagulation Therapy Elective for Third-Year Pharmacy Students

Objective. To develop an anticoagulation elective course for third-year pharmacy students to enhance their knowledge and skills for providing anticoagulation services. Design. Content developed for the course focused on standards of care, evaluation of primary literature, clinical application, billing and regulatory issues, written and verbal communication, and patient education. Teaching methods included lectures, discussions, demonstrations, and self-directed learning. Assessment. Assessment methods included multiple-choice examinations, evaluation of patient cases, student presentations, and a practical examination. Students demonstrated competencies in multiple areas and rated the course favorably. Students who completed the elective reported being more prepared for anticoagulation activities than those who did not. Confidence levels regarding participation in anticoagulation services postgraduation were similar. Conclusion. The elective provided valuable experience in anticoagulation therapy and increased students' perception of their preparedness related to dealing with anticoagulation issues while on advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs). More exposure to management topics and the logistics of initiating anticoagulation services should be incorporated.