January 24, 2019
Pharmacist and patient discuss medication

The University of Michigan College of Pharmacy will be hosting two training programs in 2019, which will prepare pharmacists to run a productive practice in an outpatient clinical environment. The training consists of four days of hands-on training, including three half-day mock clinic sessions during which participants will conduct 18 clinic visits with simulated patient instructors.

“I wanted to develop a program that offered real clinic-based experience in order to help pharmacists develop the necessary skills to practice in the primary care model,” explains Hae Mi Choe, PharmD, Associate Dean for Pharmacy Innovations and Partnerships and Clinical Associate Professor of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, and Chief Quality Officer and Director of Pharmacy Innovations and Partnerships, U-M Medical Group. “Participants are trained by practitioners who have extensive experience in direct patient care and we utilize simulated patient instructors, something not offered by other programs out there, to create a realistic and hands on experience.”

Live training will begin with case discussions that emphasize practical application of clinical guidelines to individual patient cases. In the mock clinics, participants will learn how to deliver chronic disease management, comprehensive medication review, and transitions of care services. Program faculty will provide feedback based on review of electronic medical record notes and simulated patient instructor assessments. Assessment of clinical decision-making and communication skills (motivational interviewing, patient empowerment, etc.) will be included.

“The clinical training program gave me practical, real world advice on how to effectively manage, build and grow an ambulatory care pharmacy practice,” said one past participant. The program is intended for pharmacists who are or soon will be practicing clinically in an ambulatory care or community pharmacy setting. Knowledge of pharmacotherapy of common chronic conditions is required; optional self-study resources will be provided and knowledge will be demonstrated on a required assessment prior to attending the training.

Up to twelve practicing pharmacists will be accepted into each cohort. Live training will be conducted at the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy in Ann Arbor, MI.

The program will be held in two sessions, on 5/20/2019 – 5/23/2019, and 7/29/2019 – 8/1/2019. For additional information, registration, and deadlines, please visit:  https://pharmacy.umich.edu/cp/pcmh