Teaching and learning of smoking cessation and tobacco control in the pharmacy program: a cross-sectional survey study:(TJPS-2021-0177.R2)

Abstract

Introduction: Pharmacists play an important role in smoking cessation programs. A lack of knowledge among pharmacy students can create a barrier to providing smoking cessation support. Pharmacy training programs should integrate smoking cessation techniques into the core curriculum. 
Objective: We aimed to explore current teaching practices for smoking cessation and tobacco control in pharmacy curricula in Thailand. 
Methods: A questionnaire surveying tobacco control curricula and teaching techniques were distributed to faculty members in all 19 pharmacy departments in Thailand. 
Results: 29 faculty members participated in this study. Most pharmacy programs start teaching smoking cessation and tobacco control in the 3rd and 4th years of the 6-year pharmacy program. This instruction totals between 2 and 3 hours integrated with other topics. Lecture was the primary teaching method, comprising at least 50% of instruction according to 97% of respondents. Programs exhibited high uniformity in curricula with 8/13 surveyed topics covered by 100% of respondents. Multiple choice exam was the most common method for evaluating students. 
Conclusions: All pharmacy faculties in Thailand are teaching and assessing pharmacy students on smoking cessation and tobacco control in alignment with Thai smoking cessation practice guidelines. Content and teaching techniques did vary slightly between institutions.