2023 Update to the American College of Clinical Pharmacy Pharmacotherapy Didactic Curriculum Toolkit

J Am Coll Clin Pharm. 2024 Mar;7(3):255-269. doi: 10.1002/jac5.1930. Epub 2024 Feb 29.

Abstract

Introduction: The American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) Pharmacotherapy Didactic Curriculum Toolkit has been used by colleges and schools of pharmacy as a guide for curricular development and revisions since its inaugural publication in 2009. The toolkit was last revised and updated by the 2019 Publications Committee.

Objectives: The 2023 ACCP Publications Committee was charged with reviewing the 2019 Update to the ACCP Pharmacotherapy Didactic Curriculum Toolkit to determine any necessary revisions/updates.

Methods: The committee revised tier classifications, shifting the focus of the 2023 toolkit to content within the Pharm.D. curriculum. Multiple literature sources were reviewed to assess conditions for inclusion in the 2023 toolkit, and external feedback was solicited from various practice disciplines. All topics were voted on by a simple majority rule during virtual meetings or by electronic votes.

Results: There are a total of 231 topics in the 2023 toolkit, a decrease of 77 (23.2%) from the 2019 edition. Topics in each tier are as follows: 68 as tier 1 (29%), 111 as tier 2 (48%), and 52 as tier 3 (23%). Although some topics were removed completely, others were combined with other line items or revised, which may further minimize curricular overload. Similar to the 2016 and 2019 toolkits, many tier 2 topics remain in the 2023 toolkit, emphasizing the continued need for additional training through postgraduate residencies or fellowships (or "on-the-job" equivalent experiences), board certifications, and various certificate training programs.

Conclusion: The 2023 ACCP Pharmacotherapy Didactic Curriculum Toolkit is designed to assist individual faculty and colleges and schools of pharmacy with curricular development and revisions. It will continue to be reviewed every 3 years to identify needed revisions on the basis of the pharmacist's evolving role, advances in therapeutics and pharmacy practice, and changes to accreditation standards and recognized professional competencies.

Keywords: pharmacotherapy; pharmacy curriculum; toolkit.