An NIH Sponsored Pharmacist Curriculum on Interventions for SIDS Risk Reduction

Objectives: To increase pharmacists ability to: Define SIDS, identify critical SIDS risk-reduction messages for caregivers, identify barriers to back sleeping for parents/caregivers, and increase pharmacists competency as educators to caregivers about SIDS in a culturally appropriate manner.Research indicates that pharmacists can benefit from a CE program on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome as the role of the pharmacist expands.  Alldrege and Koda-Kimble published an opinion piece in the American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education stating that pharmacist roles of prescribing, educating and monitoring patients leads to job satisfaction.  They recommend pharmacists take a larger role in patient care (Douglas, 2007, Boardman et al 2005). Several studies indicate that patients are open to receiving information from their pharmacists regarding issues related to health promotion(Chen 2000, Iverson 2001).Patients surveyed indicated that there was a positive attitude towards expanding the pharmacist role to include healthy living advice, health screening activity and general practitioner support. This is especially pertinent for mothers of young children according to a study conducted by Hodgson and Wong which found that 61 percent of the mothers they surveyed were visiting the pharmacist at least once a month, 22 percent stated they received advice and of that 87 percent reported the suggestions to be helpful or very helpful.

Methods: A CE program was created in partnership with 6 national pharmacist groups.  Focus groups were conducted in 3 demographically diverse states, The CE is in Active Learning Tool format with cases and problem solving on caregiver/parent culturally competent education. Pre and post test are administered to measure knowledge base. Letters were sent to pharmacy associations and targeted Schools of Pharmacy to recruit participants.

Results: 382 Pharmacists and 320 students have completed the program with average increase in assessment scores of 26-34%.

Conclusion: This program significantly increases pharmacists ability to discuss SIDS with patients.