At the University of Minnesota, College of Pharmacy graduates will have the knowledge and skills to:
1. Create an environment where patients openly discuss their use of CAM therapies
a. Explain the importance of learning about various CAM methods that a patient uses to treat current conditions and/or maintain their health (attitude)
b. Discuss communication/counseling skills that can be used to increase a patient's comfort to talk (knowledge)
c. In a patient consultation or pharmaceutical care assessment, ask questions that elicit information about a patient's use and knowledge of CAM (skill)
d. In a patient consultation or pharmaceutical care assessment, demonstrate good listening skills that help a patient feel comfortable discussing their use of CAM therapies (skill)
2. Evaluate the safety and efficacy of CAM therapies from an evidence-based perspective
a. Demonstrate proficiency in common herbal and dietary supplements and, for each, discuss mechanism of action, dose, indication, safety (including interactions and adverse effects), efficacy and convenience (knowledge)
b. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of other primary CAM modalities (knowledge)
c. Assess the appropriateness of patients' use of CAM therapies (skill)
d. Identify resources to find information of safety and efficacy of CAM modalities (skill)
e. Critically evaluate literature and clinical studies regarding CAM therapies, with a focus on herbs and dietary supplements (skill)
3. Advise patients regarding their use of CAM therapies
a. Demonstrate a nonjudgmental approach when discussing a patient's total treatment plan (attitude)
b. Demonstrate proficiency in evaluating an individual patient's use of common herbal and dietary supplements (knowledge)
c. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of evaluating an individual patient's use of other primary CAM modalities (knowledge)
d. In a specific patient case, demonstrate analytical skills to assess a patient and determine if CAM therapy is appropriate for them (skill)
e. Demonstrate the ability to assist patients in making decisions on the use of CAM therapies (skill)
4. Work collaboratively with other health care professionals, including CAM practitioners
a. Demonstrate a collegial attitude towards CAM practitioners, including the willingness to work together as colleagues (attitude)
b. Demonstrate knowledge of when it is appropriate to refer a patient to a CAM practitioner (knowledge)
c. Discuss which type of CAM practitioner would be appropriate for a specific patient (knowledge)
d. Identify resources to help patients find CAM practitioners (skill)
e. Demonstrate the ability to incorporate the expertise of CAM practitioners into a pharmaceutical care plan (skill)
5. Incorporate self-reflection and self-care into a personal plan for health and wellness
a. Reflect upon the importance of self-care in order to provide care for others (attitude)
b. Demonstrate knowledge of basic self-care techniques (knowledge)
c. Demonstrate the ability to incorporate at least one self-care technique into one's life (skill)