1. Development and Delivery of Medicinal Herb On-Line Course
M. Chandra Sekar
College of Pharmacy, University of Findlay, Findlay, OH
Introduction
Topic List
Sample Lesson
Results
Conclusions
American Society of Hospital Pharmacists believes that “the widespread, indiscriminate use of dietary supplements presents substantial risk to public health and that pharmacists have an opportunity and professional responsibility to reduce those risks” [1].
Dolder et. al. (2) reported that pharmacists receiving any training in alternative medications, or those who worked in inpatient settings were significantly more likely to record alternative medication use. But at the same time, US national survey of pharmacists indicated that only 7% of pharmacists received any training on herbs (3).
While health professionals are debating the usefulness of herbs in patient’s disease and health management, it is estimated that 40% of the US population uses dietary supplements (which includes herbs) often (4) and the out- of- pocket expenditure on dietary supplements and complementary and alternative medicine total in excess of $34 billion annually (5).
In an attempt to remedy this information gap, we have developed an on-line course on medicinal herbs that is being currently offered to our pharmacy students in the University of Findlay as an elective. .
1) Except for the response to two questions, audio segment (23% - D) and discussion board (4% - D), all other questions received 100 percent agreement on these student surveys.
2) All students felt more comfortable counseling patient on herbs and supplements after completion of this course.
3) Format of this course was appropriate and students will recommend this course to fellow students.
4) On-line medicinal herb course may be an option to satisfy the need for pharmacists to learn about this important topic while using little class time.
History of mankind and herbs
Herbs for a “healthy heart”
You may lose your weight and your mind with ma huang
Ayurveda to the rescue of a diabetic patient
Have you forgotten to take your ginkgo today?
Pass on the kava, I am stressed out
Echinecea and common cold
Ginseng or Viagra?
Low budget solution for your growing prostate - Saw Palmetto
Black cohosh, the herbal estrogen
Herbal solution for all your life’s headaches, including migraine!
Your stomach is a balloon - try peppermint
Why everything is yellow in “Taj India” ?
Your breath may smell, but you will be young forever with garlic
You love your “herbs” – now save the rainforest
Student took a google survey and responded to the questions (shown on top of chart) by choosing one of the following four options – strongly agree (SA); agree (A); disagree (D) and strongly disagree (SD).
All students in the class completed this survey.
Sample size (N) = 50 [From spring 2010 and 2011]
References
Kroll DJ. ASHP statement on the use of dietary supplements. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy 2004,61:
Dolder C, Larco J, Dolder N, Gregory P. Pharmacists’ use of and attitudes and beliefs about alternative medications. American Journal of Health System Pharmacists 2003, 60:
Bouldin AS, Smith MC, Garner DD, et al. Pharmacy and herb medicine in the US. Social Science and Medicine 1999, 49:
Office of Inspector General. Dietary supplement labels: key. Report OEI Accessed May 5, 2011
Eisenberg DM, Davis RB, Ettner SL et al. Trends in alternative medicine use in the United States, ; results of a follow up national survey. JAMA. 1998:280(18)