An Exploratory Survey of Telehealth Instruction in the PharmD Curricula

Abstract

Specific Aims: 1)To assess the general perception of telehealth among the University of Arizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy (UA:RKCCOP) faculty, 2)To discover the faculty’s opinions regarding the incorporation of telehealth instruction into the doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) curricula, and 3) To determine the faculty’s reasoning behind incorporating telehealth instruction into their courses. Methods: This analytic, observational, prospective study used data obtained through an online questionnaire distributed via email to college of pharmacy faculty members. Responses were collected regarding awareness level of telehealth, comfort level with discussing telehealth, and general perception telehealth instruction as part of the pharmacy curriculum. Demographics were also collected for length of time as a faculty member at any college, at the University of Arizona, having a pharmacy degree, and sex. Results: Questionnaires were completed by 18 participants. The median (interquartile range, IQR) regarding telehealth awareness showed that the majority of the participants were: very aware of telehealth, its benefits and applications, and somewhat aware of its barriers. The median (IQR) showed their level of comfort with telehealth discussion were: very comfortable with discussing the benefits, barriers and telehealth communication, and somewhat comfortable with discussing telehealth application. Analysis showed mean土standard deviation rating (on a scale of 0 - 10) of: 8.1 土 1.5 for general perception of telehealth, 8.6 土 1.6 for value of telehealth services, and 7.7 土 2.7 for value of incorporating telehealth instruction into the curriculum. Conclusions: Overall perception of incorporation telehealth discussions in pharmacy curricula was moderately positive.