ACPE conference reviews current, future state of continuing pharmacy education

During an invitational conference hosted by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) Oct. 29 to Oct. 30, leaders in pharmacy, health care and education came together to explore opportunities and challenges in continuing pharmacy education.

The conference involved ACPE representatives providing a history of Continuing Pharmacy Education (CPE) and panel discussions on what pharmacists and pharmacy technicians will need to continue education over the next 10 to 15 years, and ensure practitioner competence based on marketplace and regulatory changes.

There were also breakout sessions in which participants brainstormed about ways to optimize the value of CPE in the near future and what steps the profession needs to take in order to ensure practitioner competence.

Attendees assessed current conditions of accredited CPE while considering the diversity of educational needs among practitioners, the status of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and perspectives of all stakeholders involved, including practitioners and accreditors. They also identified what would be the optimal future state of accredited CPE.

“ACPE will work diligently, with other stakeholders, to advance the contribution of CPE and CPD to patient care,” ACPE Executive Director Peter Vlasses said. “In the face of tremendous changes in our profession and health care, the conference outcomes will be extremely important to shine a light on the path ACPE and our profession should take in furthering CE quality improvement.”

Outcomes from the conference are expected to be revealed next year.