Assessment of the Pharmacogenomics Educational Needs of Pharmacists

Objectives. To evaluate the self-perceived knowledge and confidence of inpatient and outpatient pharmacists in applying pharmacogenomics information to clinical practice. Methods. A 19-question multiple-choice, electronic needs-assessment survey instrument was distributed to 480 inpatient and outpatient pharmacists in a large, academic, multi-campus healthcare system. Results. The survey response rate was 64% (303). Most respondents (85%) agreed that pharmacists should be required to be knowledgeable about pharmacogenomics, and 65% agreed that pharmacists should be capable of providing information on the appropriate use of pharmacogenomics testing. Sixty-three percent felt they could not accurately apply the results of pharmacogenomics tests to drug-therapy selection, dosing, or monitoring. Conclusion. Pharmacists believe pharmacogenomics knowledge is important to the profession, but they lack the knowledge and self-confidence to act on the results of pharmacogenomics testing and may benefit from pharmacogenomics education.