White paper on Best Evidence Pharmacy Education (BEPE)

Objectives. In 2001-02, the task force on Best Evidence Pharmacy Education (BEPE) was established within the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Council of Faculties (AACP COF). The charge of this task force was 2-fold: (1) scan the external environment and introduce how evidence-based methodologies are being used by other educators to make curriculum and instructional decisions, and (2) recommend whether AACP and/or COF would benefit from involvement with the Best Evidence Medical Education group. Methods. After an initial report at the 2002 AACP Annual Meeting, the task force continued its work into 2002-03 academic year and drafted a white paper on BEPE. This paper includes background on evidence-based education, pros and cons of BEPE for academic pharmacy, and recommendations to the academy for further progress in this area. Results. Information from the White Paper described above, as well as future directions for the task force, are presented. Implications. BEPE is a rational approach for the examination of curricular and programmatic decisions as well as a means to enhance collaborations of academic pharmacy with the educational goals of the other health care professions.