EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN HEALTH CARE INFORMATICS

To recognize the significant and vast impacts of health-system information systems, automation, and technology changes on safe and effective use of medications; further,

To foster, promote, and lead the development of and participation in formal health care informatics educational programs for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and student pharmacists.

Rationale

With growing use of automation and technology, there is a growing need for informatics-trained pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, yet there are few training programs or residencies. This shortage of trained individuals has led to on-the-job training and potentially less-than-optimal implementation of new information systems and technology. New educational programs, or adaptation of existing ones, would help ease this lack of trained individuals and lead to better technology outcomes. To most effectively accomplish this goal, ASHP must lead the development of such programs and encourage participation by pharmacists, pharmacy students, and pharmacy technicians.