LEADERSHIP

The field of pharmacy is constantly evolving, with new medications introduced to the market each year. According to the FDA, approximately 40-50 new medications are approved annually, in addition to various biologics, generic medications, and updated formulations. This rapid pace of innovation necessitates continuous learning, ongoing education, and staying informed about the latest clinical guidelines and evidence-based practices. The ever-evolving nature of pharmacy reinforces that learning does not end with a degree—it is a lifelong commitment that extends far beyond the classroom. My experience on the medical mission trip to the Dominican Republic exemplified this firsthand, as I was challenged to adapt, communicate effectively across language barriers, and apply my knowledge in real-world situations. This experience deepened my understanding of the importance of continuous learning in pharmacy, demonstrating that staying informed, embracing new perspectives, and refining clinical skills are essential to providing the highest quality of patient care throughout my career. 

Pharmacists are required to complete continuing education (CE) activities to maintain their licenses, with requirements varying by state. In South Carolina, pharmacists must complete 15 hours of ACPE (Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education) -approved continuing education annually, including at least 6 hours in live or interactive formats and one hour on opioid prescribing and monitoring. While completing my required clinical rotations, I had the opportunity to observe prescribing habits and patient care practices across various healthcare settings. Throughout these experiences, I encountered outdated prescribing practices and medication usage that were not aligned with the latest clinical guidelines. Pharmacists play a crucial role in making recommendations based on updated guidelines to improve patient outcomes. While it is understood that not all patients can afford the most expensive new medications, being well-educated on the latest guidelines allows pharmacists to make informed decisions that provide the best possible patient care, balancing cost-effectiveness with clinical efficacy. 

This issue is further compounded by provider retention trends, as many healthcare professionals, including pharmacists and prescribers, remain in the same practice setting for prolonged periods. While continuity in practice fosters deep expertise, it also heightens the risk of knowledge stagnation if ongoing education and professional development are not actively pursued. Over time, clinicians may become reliant on outdated treatment protocols, diminishing their ability to integrate the latest advancements in medication therapy, disease management, and clinical best practices. This stagnation can create a gap between current evidence-based guidelines and real-world prescribing habits, ultimately compromising the quality of patient care. Additionally, rural and underserved areas often face even greater challenges, as providers in these regions may have limited access to educational resources and professional development opportunities. This can further contribute to outdated practices, reinforcing the need for structured, accessible, and specialized continuing education programs to bridge these gaps. 

To improve the quality and applicability of continuing education within the workplace, ensuring pharmacists have access to up-to-date resources that enhance patient care and treatment outcomes. 

I propose enhancing continuing education (CE) requirements by developing specialized CE programs tailored to different pharmacy practice settings. These programs should be field-specific, ensuring that pharmacists receive education directly relevant to their daily practice. The rationale behind this recommendation stems from my experiences both inside and outside the classroom. 

Beyond the classroom, my role as IHI Co-President provided invaluable exposure to diverse learning opportunities and interdisciplinary collaboration with future healthcare providers. This experience underscored the importance of field-specific education, as each area of medicine is highly specialized. Viewing healthcare from a broader, team-based perspective reinforced my belief that pharmacists, as medication experts, must have access to the most up-to-date, practice-specific education to optimize patient care. Within the classroom, my PHMY 885 – Pharmacy Law and Ethics course further solidified this perspective by teaching me about South Carolina's continuing education requirements, the importance of maintaining CE credits, and the process of license renewal. This coursework highlighted the necessity of staying current with evolving regulations and best practices. 

By incorporating field-specific CE into existing requirements, pharmacists can ensure they remain at the forefront of advancements in their particular areas of practice. This targeted approach to continuing education will not only enhance professional competency but also improve patient outcomes by equipping pharmacists with the most relevant, evidence-based knowledge in their specialty. 

To implement a structured, field-specific CE curriculum, I would take a five-step approach to ensure feasibility, effectiveness, and sustainability. 

1. Establish key collaborative partnerships:  

The first step involves engaging with key regulatory and professional organizations to assess the feasibility of modifying CE requirements to include field-specific education. 

• State Pharmacy Boards – Initiate discussions with the South Carolina Board of Pharmacy to understand regulatory constraints, licensure renewal policies, and approval processes for CE modifications. 

• Professional Pharmacy Organizations – Collaborate with the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the American Pharmacist Association (APhA) to gain insights into best practices for CE development, as these organizations produce a significant portion of CE materials for pharmacists nationwide. 

• Academic Institutions & CE Providers – Work with ACPE-accredited CE providers, pharmacy schools, and healthcare systems to ensure the development of high-quality, evidence-based CE programs tailored to specific pharmacy specialties.  

2. Develop a structured CE curriculum:  

• Define the core learning objectives for different pharmacy specialties, starting with psychiatric pharmacy. 

• Work with subject matter experts, clinical pharmacists, and educators to develop case-based learning modules, interactive workshops, and digital CE programs that align with current guidelines and best practices. 

• Incorporate mandatory content areas (e.g., psychiatric medication management, controlled substance monitoring, immunization updates). 

MOCK CE REQUIREMENT SPECIFC TO PSYCHIATRIC PHARMACY:  

• Pharmacist in the state of South Carolina must complete fifteen hours of continuing education each year for license renewal  

• Fifty percent of the total number of hours must be in drug therapy related to psychiatric medication management  

• At least one hour of ACPE continuing education must be related to approved procedures for monitoring-controlled substances  

• At least one hour of ACPE continuing education regarding administration of immunizations for pharmacists who administer vaccines  

RESOURCES FOR PSYCHIATRIC PHARMACY CE:

The PTCE Psychiatry Education page is a premier resource for continuing education-certified programs tailored to psychiatry professionals. Covering key topics like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, it offers expert-led content in diverse formats, including text-based courses, case studies, videos, panel discussions, and podcasts. These programs address critical gaps in clinical practice and education, tackling issues such as healthcare disparities, treatment adherence, and the burden of care. Additionally, the platform explores cutting-edge management strategies, including the role of long-acting injectable antipsychotics in optimizing psychiatric treatment.  

https://www.pharmacytimes.org/pages/psychiatry  

3. Pilot the Psychiatric Pharmacy CE program  

• Propose a trial implementation with a select group of psychiatric pharmacists in South Carolina. 

• Offer both live and virtual CE sessions to accommodate diverse learning preferences. 

• Gather feedback from participants and make necessary adjustments before full-scale implementation. 

4. Advocate for Policy Changes  

• Present the proposal to state regulatory bodies and legislative committees to advocate for the inclusion of field-specific CE requirements. 

• Provide data and case studies demonstrating the benefits of specialized CE in improving pharmacist competency and patient outcomes. 

5. Expand to Other Practice Areas  

• Once the psychiatric pharmacy CE program is successfully implemented, expand to other specialties such as ambulatory care, hospital-based pharmacy, and correctional pharmacy. 

• Continue working with professional organizations and state boards to standardize field-specific CE requirements. 

By taking these steps, we can ensure that pharmacists receive targeted, relevant education that enhances their expertise and ultimately improves patient care. 

To effectively evaluate the success of field-specific continuing education (CE) requirements, pharmacist participation in newly developed CE programs can be assessed through enrollment and completion rates. Additionally, pre- and post-program knowledge assessments can be conducted to measure the effectiveness of these programs in enhancing professional competency. Feedback gathered from post-program evaluations can be leveraged to refine and continuously improve CE offerings, ensuring they remain relevant and impactful. 

To assess the impact of field-specific CE on patient outcomes, systematic monitoring of healthcare facilities where specialized CE has been implemented is essential. This includes evaluating changes in prescribing practices, treatment effectiveness, and overall patient care quality. Tracking key metrics such as medication error rates and adherence to clinical guidelines before and after CE implementation can provide measurable insights into its effectiveness. By analyzing these data points, organizations can identify trends, optimize training initiatives, and enhance patient safety and treatment outcomes. 

1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. CDER's Novel Drug Approvals of 2022. FDA. Published 2022. Accessed March 9, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/novel-drug-approvals-fda/new-drug-therapy-approvals-2022 

2. South Carolina Board of Pharmacy. Continuing Education Requirements. LLR. Accessed March 9, 2025. https://llr.sc.gov/bop/ce.aspx 

3. Pharmacy Times. Psychiatry. Accessed March 9, 2025. https://www.pharmacytimes.org/pages/psychiatry