Web-based sharing of cutting-edge teaching strategies

The need to implement improved teaching methods in clinical pharmacology is critically important for health care globally. This need is driven by the overwhelming amount of information currently available on appropriate drug usage, by a proliferation of new biotechnology-derived pharmacologic agents, and by an expanded prescribing authority that is being granted to health professionals who have not traditionally had this responsibility and training. This discussion emphasizes the points that (a) the technology is available to share the best teaching materials for clinical pharmacology over the Internet, (b) clinical pharmacology organizations are best positioned to facilitate this exchange of educational materials, and that (c) continued discourse about problem-based learning and other curricular approaches to teaching clinical pharmacology is essential. The currently available information on the Internet includes case studies, slide sharing for lectures, educational programs and educational software. Clinical pharmacology organizations are not only starting to organize this information, but also to review the content of these programs and continuously add new material. These organizations have also developed a powerful tool through their journals in which to present educational series on rational therapeutics and to discuss educational approaches to instruction. Teaching forums, such as those presented annually at the American College of Clinical Pharmacology Annual Meeting, are essential to encourage discussion about teaching clinical pharmacology in the broadest context of the therapeutics, the economics and the legal aspects of clinical drug use.