Arantxa Catalán, Head of AQuAS Pharmacy Assessment
To date, more than 900 physicians and primary care pharmacists have completed the “Management of chronic patient medication (MMPC)” an online course acreditated with 11.7 points by the Consell Català de Formació Continuada de les Professions Sanitàries (Catalan Council of Continuing Training of Sanitary Professions) which has just completed their 3rd edition.
The MMPC course consists of 3 modules and 9 real clinical cases of multi-medication and multi- pathology patients (Figure 1) and is a 60 hour training course. During this time and by solving each case, the trainee acquires the knowledge and skills needed for the processes of reconciliation, review and de-prescription of medication for chronic patients; knowledge and skills whose systematic application will certainly promote relevant changes in clinical practice.
The course is taught entirely via e-learning, using a model of tutored self-training.
Figure 1. Structure of the course “Medication management for the chronic patient”
The theoretical framework that precedes each module introduces case studies prepared by a pharmacist and a doctor who in turn, also act as tutors to cover any consultation, monitor the progress and stimulate the forum’s activity. The cases are well documented, employ and integrate local and international recommendations, based on scientific evidence.
What do students think?
Once each edition is complete, the trainees receive an online survey with 10 quantitative items (scale: none, little, enough, plenty) and 1 qualitative item, in order to collect improvement proposals.
With a response rate of 45%, the course has received a very favourable evaluation as it derives from its high “capacity to meet the students’ expectations”, the “degree of compliance with the learning objectives”, and their “overall satisfaction” with this educational initiative. These dimensions have been described as “plenty or enough” by the 95%, 96% and respectively 95% of students.
From an academic and teaching perspective, 90% of students have positively assessed the quantity and quality of information, with the de-prescription’s theoretical framework and the case of elderly patients with dementia and chronic multi – pathologies of the same module, being rated the best. Also the troubleshooting support received throughout the course has been positively rated.
The sum of all efforts is paramount in continued education
The course has used the methodology proposed by the Sociedad Española de Farmacéuticos de Atención Primaria (SEFAP) (Spanish Society of Primary Care Pharmacists) in their book ““Elementos básicos del abordaje de la medicación en el paciente crónico: información al paciente, conciliación, revisión y adherencia”. (Basics elements for addressing medication for the chronic patient: patient information, reconciliation, review and adherence). The MMPC course is an academic activity promoted by “Gerència de Farmàcia i Medicaments de CatSalut” (CatSalut Pharmacy and Medication Management) and directed by Esther Amado and Corine Zara who are responsible for the pharmacy at the Barcelona’s Catalan Health Institute and, respectively, the Health Region of Barcelona,.
AQuAS’ pharmacy assessment area has coordinated the course with the support of Direcció General de Planificació i Recerca en Salut (the General Directorate of Planificacion and Health Research) of the Health Department who has contributed the teaching methodology, supporting the course delivery hosted in their virtual platform, Delta.
Registration for the 4th edition: