Premium
Pharmacoepidemiology: defining the field and its core content
Author(s) -
Jones Judith K.,
Tilson Hugh H.,
Lewis James D.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.023
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1099-1557
pISSN - 1053-8569
DOI - 10.1002/pds.3198
Subject(s) - pharmacoepidemiology , pharmacovigilance , medicine , core competency , medical education , curriculum , family medicine , public relations , pharmacology , management , political science , medical prescription , law , economics , adverse effect
Purpose Emerging interests in pharmacoepidemiology make it important to define the profession's core content. The International Society for Pharmacoepidemiology (ISPE)'s Education Committee sought to develop a consensus on its core disciplines. This report recapitulates their efforts and conclusions. Methods The survey for skill inventories conducted characterized the field of pharmacoepidemiology by five categories of core competency/knowledge (pharmacovigilance, exposure data, epidemiology, clinical pharmacology, and medical product regulation) plus communication and leadership in these areas. It was sent to pharmacoepidemiology units within the industry, academia, and government representing the membership worldwide. Results After three waves, 125 members responded (~10% of the membership). Respondents were from North America (61%), European Union (23%), and the remainder from Asian Pacific and South American regions, representing the full spectrum of ISPE membership. Pharmacovigilance, analysis of exposure data, epidemiologic methods, and communication skills were the competencies identified as essential. Fourteen competencies were judged to be “essential” by >80% of the respondents; a further 26 had “essential” as the most frequently rated category but represented <80% of the respondents. Six items had “desirable but not a core competency” as the most commonly selected. None of the proposed competencies scored as “not a core competency” by >25% of the respondents. Only five of the competencies were suggested as “not core” by 10% or more. Conclusions This survey identified a wide range of content relevant to the field of pharmacoepidemiology. This list will likely evolve over time. A curriculum around these areas will help prepare the next generation of pharmacoepidemiologists. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.