Advances in International Clinical Pharmacy Practice, Education, or Training
Monday, October 14, 2024
01:00 PM–02:30 PM
Abstract
Service or Program:
The Purdue Kenya Partnership (PKP), based in Eldoret Kenya, whose mission is to advance patient care alongside education and research, has supported pharmacy service growth and development within several local education programs. However, a gap remained for public health (PH) training in conjunction with pharmacy. While there are PH degrees offered within local universities, PKP recognized the need for part-time education that allowed pharmacists to continue working while also gaining PH training.
PKP leveraged an established relationship with Purdue Global, an online university offering a blended polysynchronous Master in Public Health (MPH), to create a Kenya-based cohort for the MPH program.
Justification/Documentation:
Eleven pharmacists participated in the initial cohort. They continued working in their respective practice settings, avoided travel expense costs associated with in-person degrees, and worked in a culturally diverse, international cohort while also working with local colleagues. Each participant desired the ability to grow individual patient care into programs that impact a wider array of patients around broader PH issues.
The MPH curriculum, a 56-credit online program, can be completed in one year to 18 months, and includes a capstone project. Purdue Global desired to make this program accessible and offered fee waivers to all participants, credit-waivers for professional experience along with transfer credits from work completed during professional and graduate coursework.
Adaptability: This program, adapted from a fellowship plus MPH model, could be adapted to other countries and cohorts as a companion degree for working professionals. Cohorts can be comprised of individuals in the same program or even within a given country.
Significance: As pharmacy has evolved within Kenya, there was a need to increase the PH knowledge and opportunities for Kenyan pharmacists to enhance care impact and program reach. This program addressed educational needs in PH and allowed participants to advance the role of pharmacists in Kenya.
Presenting Author
Rakhi Karwa PharmD, BCPSPurdue University College of Pharmacy / Purdue Kenya Partnership
Authors
Monica Miller PharmD, MS
Purdue University College of Pharmacy
Rachel Ogumbo PharmD
Purdue University
Sonak Pastakia PharmD, MPH, PhD, FCCP
Purdue University College of Pharmacy
Ellen Schellhase PharmD, FCCP
Rebecca Zolotor PharmD
Purdue Global