Evaluation of a training program to improve clinical competencies of pharmacists serving skilled nursing facilities.

Forty-eight pharmacists from the New York area were selected for specialized training in consultant clinical services to skilled nursing home facilities. A skills curriculum was developed, and the pharmacists participated in 15 training sessions which included lectures by nationally recognized experts, audiovisual presentations, and on-site clinical workshops. Evaluations were based upon clinical preprogram v. clinical postprogram testing, comparisons with clinical pharmacy experts, and attitudinal pre- and postprogram testing. It was found that the training course did improve the skills of the trainees but they still performed at a level below recognized clinical pharmacy experts. Future programs should stress fewer topics, but in more detail, and should focus upon monitoring techniques, laboratory results, and more on-site experiences.