Evaluation of a Continuing Pharmacy Education Program on Pharmacologic Interventions for Healthy Pregnancies

Abstract

Purpose. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a novel, live continuing pharmacy education program regarding gained knowledge and comfort in providing interventions to promote healthy pregnancies, as well as pharmacist motivation to incorporate these interventions in their practice.Methods. Pharmacists and student pharmacists completed assessments before and after a continuing pharmacy education program about pharmacologic interventions for healthy pregnancies. The assessments evaluated knowledge, comfort level, and practices on healthy birth spacing, preeclampsia, and preterm birth in a total of 186 participants. Data were analyzed by comparing responses from the pre- and post-assessments using paired t-tests.Results. Following the program, participants’ average knowledge score increased from 40% to 86% on the pre- and post-assessment, respectively (p<0.001). Participants’ comfort level increased in identifying and counseling patients in need of low-dose aspirin for preeclampsia prevention, progesterone injection for preterm birth prevention, and postpartum contraception use for healthy birth spacing (p<0.001). Participants also showed interest in prescribing self-administered hormonal contraception under statewide protocol. Most pharmacists identified logistical hurdles as challenges to incorporating the new knowledge into practice.Conclusion. Pharmacists and student pharmacists significantly increased their knowledge about healthy birth spacing, preeclampsia prevention, and preterm birth prevention after attending a novel continuing pharmacy education program. Participants also reported greater comfort with identifying and counseling patients in need of selected pharmacologic interventions. With motivation to implement relevant interventions in their practice and sufficient training, pharmacists can serve as highly accessible and valuable resources for the provision of reproductive health services to patients in the community.