A scoping review of veterinary pharmacy education within US schools and colleges of pharmacy

Abstract

Background: Pharmacists trained in veterinary pharmacy play important roles in community, hospital, academic, and industry settings. To date, there is limited available veterinary pharmacy education within Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) curricula. The objectives of this scoping review are to 1) assess available literature on veterinary pharmacy education with United States (US) schools and colleges of pharmacy and 2) identify gaps in which additional research in this area would benefit pharmacy educators and students.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across four databases. Authors screened studies against relevant inclusion and exclusion criteria using a two-stage screening process.

Results: Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Nine studies described veterinary pharmacy elective courses, three articles described related educational activities, and four articles focused on experiential education. Within the elective courses, the primary method of content delivery was via didactic lecture, but various active learning strategies were also employed, including live animal encounters and trips to compounding pharmacies and humane societies. Various assessment methods were used, and studies undertook Kirkpatrick level 1 and 2 evaluations.

Implications: Little literature describes or evaluates veterinary pharmacy education within US schools and colleges of pharmacy. Future research may investigate additional ways in which institutions teach and assess this content, especially pertaining to interprofessional and experiential education. Research determining which skills pertaining to veterinary pharmacy should be assessed and how those assessments should occur would also be beneficial.

Keywords: Curricula; Scoping review; Veterinary medicine; Veterinary pharmacy.