Principles-based learning design for an online postgraduate psychiatric pharmacy course.

Objectives: To implement an interactive, Web-based postgraduate course aimed at improving the knowledge, skills, and confidence of health care practitioners with interest in providing pharmaceutical care to people with mental disorders.

Design: The Web-based course was created in which authentic tasks and multiple modes of presentation and problem-solving were used to develop understanding of core concepts. Participants formulated pharmaceutical care plans for authentic case scenarios and cases selected from practice. Participants developed management plans using audiovisual lectures, videotaped demonstration patient interviews, and links to mental health practice tools and the literature. A combination of online discussion, collaborative and individual preparation of care plans, and peer and instructor feedback were used.

Assessment: Responses on postcourse surveys showed that participants' comfort levels with providing pharmaceutical care for common mental disorders increased moderately. Three-quarters of respondents indicated that the course had deepened their understanding and enhanced their mental health practice.

Summary: A Web-based postgraduate course in pharmaceutical care for patients with mental disorders was successfully implemented and resulted in a template which can be used in the development of similar postgraduate courses.