Review of Continuing Education and Published Literature Related to Women’s Health and Pharmacy

Abstract

Background: In 2004, the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy and collaborating organizations created a framework for women’s health instruction as a guide for integrating women’s health into pharmacy curricula. This article expands on the findings of that project by identifying educational opportunities with a women’s health focus that are available for pharmacists. Objective: To review educational opportunities available to pharmacists related to women’s health and to review the pharmacist’s role in women’s health in the published literature. Methods: The continuing education requirements for each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia were reviewed, and a search of continuing education programs for pharmacists on women’s health was conducted. A review of published literature about pharmacy and women’s health was conducted. Results: One state had a continuing education requirement related to emergency contraception, and 62 continuing education programs were found to have a focus on women’s health. The literature review returned 331 articles describing the role of pharmacy in women’s health, of which 55 were included. Conclusions: Pharmacists across different practice settings have a role in women’s health care. There is much emphasis placed on the pharmacist’s role in relation to contraception but increased education in other topics is also important. National pharmaceutical organizations can promote women’s health education for pharmacists.