Medication Error Instruction in Schools of Pharmacy Curricula: A Descriptive Study

Abstract

The present descriptive investigation had the primary objective of assessing the manner and extent to which the topic of medication error is included in the curricula of schools of pharmacy in the United States. A cover letter and survey were sent to 82 schools of pharmacy in April 2001. Thirty-six surveys were returned (48 percent response). Five returned surveys were incomplete. The quality and quantity of medication error instruction in pharmacy curricula varied significantly. A lack of standardization and inclusion of key domains was observed. Given the well-documented magnitude and costs of medication errors, it seems imperative that schools of pharmacy incorporate into curricula a meaningful and consistent amount of instruction pertaining to medication errors. This study illustrates the need for schools of pharmacy to articulate and standardize a minimal level of medication error instruction for pharmacy curricula and provides a sample curriculum that could be used.

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