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. Sixtythree 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.