Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2026

“Helping pharmacists to become recognised as experts and key reference points in pharmacogenomics”: A mixed methods evaluation of an accredited pharmacogenomics education program.                    (142734)

Safeera Y Hussainy 1 2 3 , Nahaa Ahmed 1 , Benjamin Lee 1 , Sarah Glewis 1 , Vivian Shen 1 , Chiao X Lim 4 5 , Jenny Devine 1 , Marliese Alexander 1 2 , Senthil Lingaratnam 1
  1. Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  2. Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  3. Department of General Practice, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  4. Pharmacy, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  5. Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Aims: 

To close gaps in confidence and training in applying pharmacogenomics (PGx) in cancer care by hospital pharmacists, an accredited, pilot PGx education program incorporating peer-led outreach was implemented. Herein we describe the mixed methods evaluation of the education program within the PRECISION trial*. 

Methods:

Pharmacists working at Victorian metropolitan and regional hospitals (n=6 sites) were recruited to participate. Quantitative analyses included: pre-post test scores; education outreach fidelity score, signifying if outreach was delivered as intended; evaluation survey and discussion board responses. These were triangulated with qualitative analyses of reflective and education outreach facilitator logs and mapped to RE-AIM and CFIR frameworks to assess program feasibility and acceptability. The education/implementation component of the trial is registered under ANZTCR (ACTRN12624000091505). 

Results:

The program completion rate (94.7%; 18/22), education outreach fidelity score (90.9%; 10/11), and pre-post test scores were high (median pre-test score 3.4/5 vs post-test score 5/5 for completed questions). Discussion board engagement (92%) was also impressive. Modules were rated visually aesthetic (4.0/5) and highly acceptable, the average score for how likely participants will recommend the program to other pharmacists being 8.2/10. In reflective log 1 (n=17), participants expressed hopes to gain deep scientific knowledge that would help them better support oncology teams with prescribing decisions, refine counselling practices and improve patient outcomes. Reflective log 2 (n=19) responses confirmed participants’ expectations had been met, with the counselling module highly regarded. Areas for improvement include condensing the first 2 foundational modules and emphasising information that is relevant for a PGx pharmacist in practice. 

Conclusion:  

Our program was highly acceptable and feasible to hospital pharmacists who were motivated and ready to engage with PGx learning. Refinements are underway in preparation for scaling to other multidisciplinary teams and health professionals, towards increasing workforce fitness to deliver personalised cancer care.

  1. *The PRECISION trial is funded under the Medical Research Future Fund Preventive and Public Health Initiative, 2022 Quality, Safety and Effectiveness of Medicine Use and Medicine Intervention by Pharmacists opportunity (MRFMMIP000011, CIA Alexander).