Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, Richmond, VA, United States.
Virginia Commonwealth University College of Health Professions, Richmond, VA, United States.
Curr Pharm Teach Learn. 2021 Aug;13(8):964-967. doi: 10.1016/j.cptl.2021.06.003. Epub 2021 Jun 16.
The Certificate in Aging Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University allows students to study gerontology while completing their doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) or graduate pharmaceutical sciences degree concurrently. The objective of the study was to evaluate alumni satisfaction with the Certificate in Aging Studies program, its application, and its perceived usefulness.
Alumni of the program (n = 49) were emailed an anonymous electronic survey about their perceptions of the program. The survey was emailed three times. Responses to eight multiple choice questions were summarized using descriptive statistics. Two free response questions were qualitatively analyzed for themes by two investigators.
The response rate to the survey was 59.2% (n = 29). Most respondents practice in hospital settings (24.1%) and did not undertake additional postgraduate clinical training (44.8%) or earn additional geriatric certifications (69%). The majority (65.5%) reported using the dual program in their career and would recommend the Certificate in Aging Studies to others (96.6%). Most (59%) alumni indicated that the best part of the program was the interprofessional interaction, and 69% suggested no further areas of improvement for the program.
A PharmD-Gerontology dual program is one way to enhance the workforce to care for the growing older population. This partnership approach should be considered by schools of pharmacy that also offer degree programs in gerontology.
弗吉尼亚联邦大学的老龄化研究证书课程允许学生在完成药学博士（PharmD）或研究生制药科学学位的同时学习老年学。本研究的目的是评估校友对老龄化研究证书课程、其应用及其感知有用性的满意度。
该课程的校友（n=49）通过电子邮件收到了一份关于他们对该课程看法的匿名电子调查。该调查共发送了三次。通过描述性统计对八项多项选择题的回答进行了总结。两名调查人员对两个自由回答问题进行了主题的定性分析。
该调查的回复率为 59.2%（n=29）。大多数受访者在医院环境中工作（24.1%），没有接受额外的研究生临床培训（44.8%）或获得额外的老年病学认证（69%）。大多数（65.5%）人表示在职业生涯中使用了双学位，并向他人推荐老龄化研究证书（96.6%）。大多数（59%）校友表示该课程的最佳部分是跨专业互动，69%的人认为该课程没有进一步改进的空间。
PharmD-老年学双学位课程是增强劳动力以照顾不断增长的老年人口的一种方式。提供老年学学位课程的药学院应考虑采用这种合作方法。
