Clinical Pharmacology and Prescribing Skills : Resource for Canadian Medical Trainees

Abstract

We are developing the first comprehensive open textbook on Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology and Prescribing Competence for medical students across Canada. There is well documented evidence that knowledge and appropriate prescribing of medication reduces patient mortality and disability, and improves the cost-effectiveness and sustainability of the healthcare system. We have been leading a national initiative to address this huge gap in medical education, by setting competency standards nationally; organizing adaptation of leading international e-prescribing curricula for Canadian medical learning; curating case-based scenarios on key therapeutic and toxicology topics and resources; and creating of a well-validated online assessment that includes computerized marking of very short answer questions. We are developing the open textbook using Pressbooks to provide access to these resources in a coherent, organized manner. This will be useful not only at McMaster University but for approximately 12000 medical students across the country, as well as other health professional students.