Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024
The following guidelines are to assist the registered pharmacist in selecting an appropriate continuing education program and the provider in preparing and implementing continuing education programs for Board approval as an authorized provider.
(1) An applicant for status as a Board-approved provider of a continuing education program shall submit a completed application form, available from the Board, for each continuing education program for which the applicant is seeking approval. The form shall include the following:
(a) The objectives of the program, which shall be:
1. clearly stated;
2. the basis for determining content, learning experience, teaching methodologies, and evaluation;
3. specific;
4. obtainable;
5. measurable; and
6. describe the expected outcomes for the learner.
(b) The appropriate subject matter, which shall include one or more of the following:
1. pharmacy practice management;
2. disease states/therapeutics;
3. research in pharmacy and health care;
4. patient management;
5. clinical topics;
6. drugs and dosage forms;
7. laws and regulations in relation to the practice of pharmacy; and
8. other topics which the Board may find important in educating the pharmacist.
(c) The subject matter shall be described in outline form as follows:
1. learner objectives:
2. content;
3. time allotment;
4. teaching methods;
5. evaluation format; and
6. List of references.
(d) Whether the program will be live or a home-study or other mediated instruction.
(e) The date(s) of the intended program.
(f) The location(s) of the intended program, if applicable.
(g) The sponsors(s) of the program.
(h) The tuition required to attend the program.
(i) The amount of continuing education credit, in contact hours, which the program is intended to provide.
(j) The qualifications of the faculty preparing and teaching the intended program.
(k) Other information which the Board may deem important.
(2) When the intended program is an academic course, the course shall be within the framework of curriculum that leads to an academic degree in pharmacy or is relevant to pharmacy, or a course within that curriculum that is necessary to an individual's growth and development within the profession as outlined in 247 CMR 4.11.
(3) When the intended program is intended for home-study or other mediated instruction, it shall:
(a) Be developed by a professional group;
(b) follow a logical sequence;
(c) involve the learner by requiring an active response to materials and provide feedback;
(d) contain a test to indicate progress and to verify the completion of program; and
(e) supply a bibliography for continued study.
(4) When the intended program is a live program, it shall:
(a) Involve direct interaction between the faculty and participants; and
(b) the faculty should possess the appropriate credentials related to the discipline being taught.
(5) Education Methods shall conform to the following:
(a) Learning experiences and teaching methods shall be appropriate to achieve the objectives of the program;
(b) principles of adult education shall be used in the design of the program;
(c) time allotted for each activity shall be sufficient for the learner to meet the objective of the program; and
(d) facilities and educational resources shall be adequate to implement the program.
(6) The faculty shall present documentation satisfactory to the Board indicating his or her competence to teach the content of the intended program and that he or she possesses knowledge of the principles of adult education.
(7) Attendee and program evaluation:
(a) A provision shall be made for evaluating the program participants' attainment of the stated learner objectives; and
(b) program participants shall be given the opportunity to evaluate faculty, learning experiences, instructional methods, facilities and educational resources used for the program.
