Objectives
The Hypertension Canada (HC)/CHEP Guidelines are considered the authoritative source for the management of hypertension in Canada. Pharmacists are playing an increasingly important role in hypertension management as accessible primary healthcare practitioners. Objective: To determine if the HC/CHEP Guidelines were being used in the teaching of undergraduate pharmacy students in Canada.
Methods
We surveyed the individuals teaching hypertension therapeutics in all pharmacy schools in Canada. We asked questions on the use of the HC/CHEP guidelines, the HC website, slides, and tools. We also requested a copy of their handout/slide materials used for validation.
Results
All 10 schools responded. Overall, 9/10 schools reported teaching and referring to the HC/CHEP Guidelines. Similarly, 8/10 instructors reported using at least some of the official HC slide sets and tools (including the pocket guidebook, blood pressure measurement and salt restriction resources). All instructors reported having skills labs which taught blood pressure measurement, with 6/10 discussing the validation of automated blood pressure devices. Finally, 8/10 instructors agreed they would value additional teaching materials produced by HC if offered.
Conclusion
Most Canadian pharmacy schools are using the HC/CHEP Guidelines in the teaching of hypertension, however increased integration of evidence-based HC materials into curricula would be welcomed. Pharmacists are a key resource and support for persons with or at risk for hypertension and thus, improving access to HC materials in pharmacy training represents a strategy to improve the management of hypertension in primary care.