Change in pharmacy resident familiarity, attitudes, comfort, and knowledge regarding digital health

Abstract

Background: Digital health is a growing area of interest in healthcare however. There is limited evidence to support this topic is being covered in pharmacy education, including postgraduate residency training programmes. This study aimed to determine if exposure to digital health topics throughout a teaching certificate programme leads to a significant change in resident familiarity, attitudes, comfort, and knowledge regarding digital health. Methods: The resident cohort was exposed to digital health content during a teaching certificate. Residents completed a questionnaire regarding their familiarity, attitudes, comfort, and knowledge regarding digital health at the beginning and end of the teaching certificate. Responses to each section of the questionnaire, as well as an overall score, were calculated and analysed. Results: Eighteen residents completed both the pre-and post-questionnaire.  The median scores for familiarity and comfort increased significantly (p < 0.0001) after the yearlong intervention. Median scores for attitudes and knowledge did not see a significant change after intervention. Conclusion: After exposure to digital health in a teaching certificate programme, pharmacy residents demonstrated a significant increase in familiarity and comfort with digital health, however there was not a significant change in attitudes or knowledge.