Distance education in a rural state: Assessing change in pharmacy practice as a result of a pharmaceutical care certificate program

The purpose of this project was to assess the potential for delivery of a. modular Certificate program using distance education, and to assess the effectiveness of-this program in producing changes in pharmacy practice within a rural state. The year-long certificate program was offered as six modules following an introductory workshop. Within each disease state, emphasis was placed on pharmaceutical care and physical assessment activities appropriate for the community pharmacist. Monthly case discussions were conducted over the state-wide interactive video network. A group of 12 pharmacists was selected as the study group along with a similar group of seven control pharmacists. Initial and final assessments were made of knowledge, problem solving ability and extent of pharmaceutical care activities in the pharmacy. Significant changes: occurred in knowledge and problem solving ability among study pharmacists. Changes in practice favored study pharmacists on most measures, but the only significant changes were in documenting interventions and following up on these interventions.