Evaluation of student performance in an immunization continuing education certificate program incorporated in a pharmacy curriculum

According to Tennessee Board of Pharmacy regulations, pharmacists participa ting in influenza immunization programs must complete the American Pharmace utical Association (APhA) Pharmacy-Based immunization Delivery certificate program. Our objective was to incorporate this program into The University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy curriculum so graduates would be able to a dminister immunizations following licensure. Pharmacy faculty trained as AP hA faculty modified the course for pharmacy students. Lecture time was decr eased and information previously presented in lecture was presented in case s that were evaluated by small groups of students and then discussed with f aculty facilitators. Faculty supervised small groups of students practicing injection technique on each other. The self study test grade (+/- SD) was 95 +/- 4 (78 - 100) and post test score was 94 +/- 5 (73 - 100) with a scor e of 70 required for passing. All second and third year students successful ly completed the program and 53 percent of fourth-year students elected to take and successfully completed the course. Beginning in 2000, all graduate s will be recognized by the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy as immunization pro viders.