Exploring Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed for Army Pharmacist Readiness Using the Nominal Group Technique

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction The purpose of this study was to conduct a general educational needs assessment to identify deficiencies in current Army pharmacy education while projecting future educational requirements based on changes in pharmacy practice and evolving demands of military medicine. Materials and Methods Twelve pharmacists participated in a facilitated discussion using the nominal group technique. Data were analyzed using quantitative and qualitative methods to establish consensus. Member checking was used to verify and validate the findings. Results Participants generated 190 knowledge, skill, and ability (KSA) statements over 3 sessions. Twenty-one statements achieved consensus. Four consensus statements were skills, 7 were knowledge, and 10 were abilities. KSAs were categorized into pharmaceutical care, military, logistics, or legal domain based on a thematic analysis. Conclusions With modernized, relevant KSAs, the Army can measure and train a ready pharmacy force. Individual Critical Tasks augmented with KSAs are one potential approach we recommend as a strategy to improve Army pharmacist health profession education.