A call to strengthen medication therapy management training in the Kenyan pharmacy undergraduate curriculum: Feedback from a snapshot of the knowledge and practices among pharmacists in diverse disciplines
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46542/pe.2024.241.1321Keywords:
Clinical Pharmacy, Kenya, Medication therapy management, Patient-centered care, Pharmacy care, Pharmacy curriculumAbstract
Background: The role of the pharmacist has continued to evolve, placing the profession at the fulcrum of holistic patient care, including offering medication therapy management (MTM), a critical component of any effective pharmaceutical care plan.
Objective: This study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Kenyan pharmacists regarding MTM.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed whereby Google Form questionnaires were distributed among pharmacists working at hospitals and community pharmacies between 1st October 2022 and 30th November 2022.
Results: Slightly over half (62, 52.5%) of the pharmacists rated themselves as knowledgeable about MTM, with most participants (55, 46.6%) stating that the undergraduate pharmacy curriculum was insufficient to prepare one to offer MTM services competently. Notably, online courses and workshops were the most popular channels (72%) for accessing MTM-related continuous professional development among the respondents.
Conclusion: This study revealed some gaps in the knowledge and competence of undergraduate-level Kenyan pharmacists in their quest to offer MTM services. Therefore, embedding MTM in the undergraduate curriculum can bridge this gap and empower Kenyan pharmacists to provide holistic pharmaceutical care.
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