PharmacoEconomics & Outcomes News 446 - 14 Feb 2004

Meeting the need forpharmacoeconomics training

Globally, there is an increasing demand in thehealthcare sector for individuals who can conduct andinterpret pharmacoeconomics research, says amultinational group of researchers.

Pharmacoeconomics is a relatively new field that‘borrows’ from more established disciplines, such aseconomics and psychometrics, and there is no one set ofstandards to describe what education a‘Pharmacoeconomist’ should have, notes the researchgroup. In addition, it is difficult to be an expert in allspecialties required in this field, which requires that ateam with multidisciplinary backgrounds be involved inresearch projects. Education in pharmacoeconomics isoffered via many routes, such as degree programmes,continuing education courses and stand-alone shortcourses. Although some employers (particularly in thepharmaceutical industry) may prefer graduate-leveltrained pharmacoeconomics researchers, other venuesplay an important part in training, say the researchers.

The number of pharmacy schools that providepharmacoeconomics education is increasing in the US,as is the number of pharmacy students who receive thistraining. However, there is still an unfulfilled need forpharmacoeconomics education at many levels, theresearchers contend. Moreover, although the specificsof training may differ based on factors such as the targetaudience, the experience level of the students, and thedesired level of education, some standardisation of thiseducation should be considered, they note. Establishinglearning outcomes and reaching a consensus is a vitalfirst step towards standardisation, and will providecurriculum planners, teachers and students with a clearset of learning objectives that can be used to identifyeducational needs and to assess the ability of curriculato meet those needs, the researchers conclude.Rascati KL, et al. Education in pharmacoeconomics: an internationalmultidisciplinary view. PharmacoEconomics 22: 139-147, No. 3, 2004 800956227

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PharmacoEconomics & Outcomes News 14 Feb 2004 No. 4461173-5503/10/0446-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved