Geriatric education in schools of pharmacy: Students' and educators' perspectives in Qatar and Canada

Abstract

Introduction: Older adults constitute the largest population admitted to hospitals due to chronic diseases, which requires appropriate prescribing of medications and comprehensive pharmaceutical care. The views and perspectives of students and educators can inform curriculum review in geriatric education in pharmacy schools. Methods: A cross sectional online survey containing 34 questions covering the areas of curriculum content and perceived needs for geriatric education was administered to students, faculty members, and preceptors. Data analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The majority of participants indicated that their pharmacy school offered geriatric education. Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Considerations in the Elderly was the topic most frequently reported to be covered in the geriatric curricula. Significantly more use of small groups discussions for delivering the geriatric curriculum was reported by respondents in Qatar than in Canada. Experiential geriatric education was available in both countries, although duration of rotations were reported to be longer in Canada than in Qatar. The majority of respondents perceived that students were moderately prepared for providing geriatric care. Discussion: This is the first study conducted to explore the current state of geriatric education in a pharmacy school in the Middle East in comparison with a well-established Canadian pharmacy curricula. Conclusion: Both pharmacy schools studied offer a compulsory course on special populations that includes a similar geriatric curriculum. Future surveys should investigate how geriatric content in the pharmacy curricula is being evaluated.