Using a course pilot in the development of an online problem-based learning (PBL) therapeutics course in a post-professional PharmD program.

Background And Purpose: To assess whether the traditional problem-based learning (PBL) process can be replicated in an online environment, and to identify any barriers and facilitators to learning using a course pilot.

Educational Activity And Setting: Eight alumni and one experienced tutor participated in a two-week simulated PBL course comprised of two three-hour synchronous online tutorials. Blackboard Collaborate software was used to permit audio and visual interaction.

Participation in online continuing education.

Objectives: The ADAPT (ADapting pharmacists' skills and Approaches to maximize Patients' drug Therapy effectiveness) e-learning programme requires weekly participation in module activities and facilitated discussion to support skill uptake. In this study, we sought to describe the extent and pattern of, satisfaction with and factors affecting participation in the initial programme offering and reasons for withdrawal.

Methods: Mixed methods - convergent parallel approach.