Continuing Education for Non-Practicing Professionals: a Case Study of a Program for Pharmacists

Abstract

This study deals with the development and evaluation of a continuing education course designed specifically for temporarily non-practicing pharmacists. The course consisted of a one-hour audio cassette tape and a printed supplement covering materials based on needs expressed by non-practicing pharmacists in a previous study. This study shows that non-practicing pharmacists tend to become isolated from their profession, fail to participate in formal and informal methods of continuing education, and are apparently unable to keep up with changes within pharmacy. However, when provided with continuing education materials designed to fulfill their particular needs, these non-practicing professionals can regain a level of knowledge comparable to their practicing colleagues. Although the study involves only pharmacists, the authors feel the results could be applicable to other professions.

Audio Cassettes as a Means of Professional Continuing Education for Pharmacists

“…Thus, the courses were equally of value to all practitioners. This overall satisfaction was similar to previous studies in which pharmacists found specific individual courses to be of value (2,8,9). The respondents indicated a degree of uncertainty that the majority of the material presented in the course was new to them.…”

“…Previous studies have shown similar findings (8,9). These audio cassette courses represent only one of a variety of types of learning experiences which are available to pharmacists.…”

“…A second study involved the development and evaluation of a one-hour course specifically designed for temporarily non-practicing pharmacists (8). The study employed a quasi-experimental design to prevent any pretest effects on the posttest results.…”

“…Also, a lesser disadvantage is presented by the fact that the learner might have to purchase a tape recorder in order to listen to the cassette. However, in a previous study, access to a playback unit did not cause a problem for professionals taking part in the course (8). Lastly, not all instructional materials are appropriate for use via audio cassettes.…”

An evaluation approach for continuing education programs in the health professions

“…ithin the past decade recipients of funds W for continuing education programs have been encouraged to incorporate an evaluation 0 1981 by The Regents of the University of California 0272-3425/82/0110005 + 08/300.50 component in their program designs. Although the literature is replete with evaluation studies of educational programs, generally, these reports are limited to studies of learners in traditional educational settings, e.g., confined or employed by an organization (2,3), in the military service (4) or enrolled in a single course over time ( 5 , 6). Evaluation methods based upon behavioral change, for example, seem better suited for traditional situations, given interest, time and funds.…”