Alzheimer's/Dementia Traineeship

Policies & Guidelines Application Form Curriculum General Information Mentors

Policies & Guidelines

I. Philosophy

Two of the objectives of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists Foundation are (1) to design, conduct, coordinate, and fund educational programs and initiatives that enhance appropriate, effective, and safe medication use in the senior population; and (2) to develop, support, and promote the patient-centered principles and practice of senior care pharmacy. Accordingly, the ASCP Foundation conducts a post-graduate traineeship in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The traineeship offers unique opportunities for pharmacists to learn new skills, sharpen existing skills, and render new services. The Alzheimer's/Dementia Traineeship is supported by an educational grant from Forest Laboratories and administered by the ASCP Foundation, 1321 Duke Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314.

II. Objectives

The primary objectives of the ASCP Foundation Alzheimer's/Dementia Traineeship are to prepare pharmacists to provide a high level of pharmaceutical care to patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias; to create pharmacist advocates for appropriate care and treatment of persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in the settings where they practice; and to positively impact the way pharmacists perceive their role in the care and treatment of persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The full-time, five-day (Monday through Friday) traineeship will provide individualized, intensive, didactic and experiential training for selected practicing pharmacists. It will offer the trainee an opportunity to observe and participate in the development of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment plans for persons suffering from Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The trainee will gain considerable knowledge of the differential diagnosis for dementia; recognition and appropriate treatment of common comorbid conditions, such as depression; appropriate use of nonpharmacologic interventions and treatments; and the significant role of caregivers as members of the treatment team. The traineeship also offers the opportunity for pharmacists to work with an interdisciplinary team consisting of pharmacists, physicians, nurses, caregivers, family members, and patients to positively impact the treatment outcome.

Upon successful completion of the Alzheimer's/Dementia Traineeship, the participant will be able to:

1. Describe the pathophysiology, stages, and treatment of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, and common comorbid conditions.
2. Adopt a vision of treatment for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias as preventative, chronic, individualized, comprehensive, and team-oriented.
3. Identify appropriate goals and outcomes of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments in various settings.
4. Evaluate the relationship of medications to nonpharmacologic treatments (e.g., behavioral, environmental, dietary, physical, occupational, recreational, and speech).
5. Define and differentiate the goals, tasks, and constraints of other persons involved in the care of persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
6. Investigate, identify and apply available resources, including Internet sites, to continue to learn and educate others about Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

III. Qualifications of the Traineeship Applicant

1. The applicant will be a graduate of a school or college of pharmacy accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. NOTE: Applicants from outside the United States or Canada should contact the ASCP Foundation regarding this qualification.
2. The applicant will actively practice pharmacy and have at least two years experience in pharmacy practice or comparable qualifications.
3. The applicant will demonstrate strong clinical knowledge and skills by citing clinical practice experience.
4. The applicant will have a demonstrated interest in the pharmacotherapy and overall treatment of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
5. The applicant will be affiliated with health care facilities or organizations able and willing to implement the results of the traineeship experience.

IV. Application Procedure

1. The applicant must submit the completed application form and the exhibits listed in item 2 below.
2. The following items are to be appended to the application form, each clearly labeled in the upper right-hand corner, as indicated (Exhibit A, Exhibit B, etc.):

Exhibit A. Curriculum vitae, which must include the applicant's education, experience record in pharmacy practice (in reverse chronological order, most recent first), and any relevant publications, presentations, and community service.

Exhibit B. A statement of not more than three typed, double-spaced pages describing (1) why the applicant wants to participate in the traineeship and the applicant's expectations of the traineeship experience; (2) nature and extent of professional or personal involvement with persons with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias, caregivers, or family members; (3) current level of clinical services provided by the applicant, including total number of patients served, geographic distribution (urban, rural, suburban), ethnic distribution (Black, White, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, American Indian/Eskimo/Aleut), and number of patients with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias; (4) special services or programs provided by the applicant; (5) how the traineeship will enhance the pharmacy services currently provided; and (6) how the results of the traineeship experience will be incorporated into the applicant's practice.

Exhibit C*. A letter from the applicant's employer confirming support for the applicant's participation in the traineeship and willingness to implement the results of the traineeship. The letter should be addressed to the applicant and signed by the chief executive officer, director of pharmacy, clinical coordinator, or other appropriate manager/supervisor in the organization.

*If the applicant is self-employed, this exhibit may be omitted.

V. Selection Procedure

1. Applications will be reviewed and ranked by a selection panel appointed by the ASCP Foundation. Decisions of the selection panel will be final and without appeal.
2. Selection will be based solely on information submitted to the ASCP Foundation by the traineeship applicant.
3. The ASCP Foundation will notify all traineeship applicants of the outcome of their applications.

VI. Conduct and Administration of the Traineeship

1. The ASCP Foundation is the administrator of the traineeship.
2. The traineeship is awarded to an individual applicant.
3. The trainee is responsible for expenses for travel to the traineeship site, accommodations, meals, and incidental expenses.
4. The ASCP Foundation will coordinate hotel accommodations for the trainee but the trainee is responsible for payment.
5. The trainee may be required to sign liability statements appropriate to the specific training sites.
6. The trainee will be required to participate in all sessions of the program, complete a program evaluation, and submit two case consults (see section VII, item 1, below).

VII. Requirements of Trainee

In order to ensure the traineeship participants use the skills and knowledge gained in some measurable way, the following post-traineeship requirements must be met:

1. Traineeship participants are expected to write up and submit to the ASCP Foundation two case consults for which they made recommendations for treatment or interventions to improve care of patients with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias. The case consults will include (1) description of the problem; (2) treatment/intervention recommended and why; (3) goals of treatment/intervention plan; (4) how staff, caregivers, family members, and patients were involved in treatment decisions and monitoring; (5) expected outcomes; (6) how outcomes were measured; and (7) actual outcomes and how and why they differed from the expected outcomes. The format for the case consults will be distributed after the traineeship.
   
2. Traineeship participants are expected to become involved with their local Alzheimer's Association by volunteering, speaking at conferences, writing articles for newsletters, or participating in other ways to meet a specific need within their community.
   
3. Traineeship participants will have the opportunity to participate in the ASCP Foundation Traineeship Network by attending meetings at the ASCP Midyear Conference and Annual Meeting, and by subscribing to the ASCP Foundation's Traineeship Network E-Mail List Server. Traineeship participants may be asked to participate in educational programs at ASCP meetings and assist the ASCP Foundation in promoting the traineeship.

VIII. Accreditation

This program is accredited for 35 contact hours (3.5 CEUs). To receive continuing education credit, trainees must participate in all sessions of the program and complete an evaluation at the conclusion of the traineeship. Statements of continuing education credit will be mailed to all trainees within one month after successful completion of the program and receipt of evaluation.

®	The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This is program number 203-000-08-110-L01-P.

ASCP Foundation

The ASCP Foundation is the research and education affiliate of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists. The mission of the ASCP Foundation is to foster appropriate, effective, and safe medication use in older persons.The ASCP Foundation provides leadership, innovation, and expertise in medicines and aging to seniors and those who care for them. The unique focus of the ASCP Foundation is the development, integration, and application of knowledge regarding medication use in the senior population and the practice of senior care pharmacy to optimize health care outcomes.