Effectiveness of Online Team-based Learning for Pharmacists on How to Conduct Clinical Medication Reviews for Old Patients in Japan: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background/Aim: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of online team-based learning (TBL) and the factors influencing dropouts from online TBL for pharmacists on how to conduct clinical medication reviews for older adults. Participants and Methods: All participants were randomly assigned to the TBL or non-TBL group by using a random number sequence table matched by their years of experience working as a pharmacist. The primary outcome was whether the score on the team readiness assurance test (TRAT) in the TBL group differed from that on the second individual readiness assurance test (IRAT) in the non-TBL group. The secondary outcome was to identify factors contributing to dropouts from the online TBL program. Results: The TRAT score in the TBL group was significantly higher than the second IRAT score in the non-TBL group during the first session (p=0.010). There were no differences in TRAT and IRAT scores between groups in two subsequent sessions. Logistic regression analysis revealed that less than 10 years of pharmacy experience was a contributor to dropouts (p=0.039), whereas experience in home-based care prevented dropouts (p=0.026) in our online TBL program. Conclusion: This study revealed the short-term usefulness of online TBL on medication reviews for older adults and elucidated the factors related to dropouts. Although instructors should provide positive feedback to participants with insufficient experience in pharmacy practice and home-based care, online TBL has the potential to improve educational effectiveness for community pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic.