Role delineation for pharmacotherapy specialists: Re‐evaluating the clinical relevance of a patient‐centered credential

This article presents results of the 2019 Role Delineation Study (RDS) for pharmacotherapy specialty certification, conducted by the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS). This RDS used both qualitative (ie, focus group) and quantitative (ie, survey) methodologies to shape and empirically validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities characterized by the practice performance domain of the pharmacotherapy certification content outline. Over 1100 survey responses were collected from board-certified pharmacotherapy specialists and then analyzed and reviewed by a representative panel of subject matter experts in pharmacotherapy and psychometric analyses. Using statistical summaries of rating scale data, the panelists recommended revisions to the certification content outline and examination blueprint. Descriptions of how the survey results were used to develop test specifications are also provided. This analysis provides validity evidence for the content scope for pharmacotherapy specialist certification and for the specifications (ie, domain weight percentages) of the high-stakes examination. In particular, the study reaffirmed the pharmacotherapy specialist certification as a clinically relevant, patient-focused credential, consistent with the mission of the BPS.