Evaluation of a pilot clinical skills workshop series for community pharmacists

Clinical clerkship sites are needed in community pharmacies to prepare students to assume new roles as pharmaceutical care providers. A series of six clinical skills workshops were developed to train community pharmacists to become preceptors for students during clinical community pharmacy rotations. Learning was assessed by a final practicum. A self-assessment tool evaluated perceived improvement in attitude and clinical skills. A majority of the respondents reported positive changes in their daily practice, increased knowledge and confidence in all areas discussed in the workshops, and increased motivation/desire to counsel patients. All feel prepared to precept students in the near future; however, one-half think they first need additional instruction on precepting. A clinical skills workshop series is an effective method to begin preparing community pharmacists to become clinical role models and preceptors for community pharmacy clerkship rotations.