Evaluation of the Didactic Pain Management Curriculum at the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy

Abstract

Objectives: This study evaluated the didactic pain management curriculum from 2003 to 2006 at the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy in comparison to a compilation of current published standards. Methods: The study design was a utilization-focused evaluation conducted by two doctor of pharmacy candidates. The eleven domains of cognitive and affective abilities used for analysis were compiled from the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) guidelines and from published expert-panel competencies in the American Journal of Pain Management (AJPM). These documents were chosen for comparison because they were created with the purpose of developing competent and proficient pharmacy clinicians. Results: The analysis revealed that the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy was unsuccessful in meeting the recommended standards for pain management competencies. Instruction in pain management was poorly integrated, incomplete, and sporadic throughout the coursework. Conclusions: Pain management was insufficiently addressed in coursework at the University of Arizona. Separating pain from other topics, integrating pain entirely into the therapeutics course, creating a course devoted to pain management, and/or fulfilling standards through a required clerkship may improve the current curriculum. The results of the assessment will be used to provide recommendations to improve the curriculum concerning pain management.