Assessing Student Pharmacists’ Knowledge and Perceptions of Financial Toxicity Concepts Introduced in an Oncology Pharmacotherapy Course

Presenting Author: Charles Wight, PharmD, Palm Beach Atlantic University, West Palm Beach, FL

Co-Authors: Matthew DellaVecchia, PhD, and Nicholas Chow, PharmD, BCOP, Palm Beach Atlantic University, West Palm Beach, FL; Monica Tadros, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP, Miami Cancer Institute-Baptist Health South Florida, Miami, FL

BACKGROUND: Current, standard pharmacy school oncology curricula thoroughly discuss treatment toxicities and patient education. As cancer treatment costs continue to rise, financial toxicity is an increasingly important component of patient education. A national survey of how pharmacy schools incorporate concepts of affordable medication options revealed that the concept of financial toxicity was not described within the context of oncology care. There is no current literature evaluating financial toxicity education within pharmacy oncology courses nor student pharmacists’ knowledge of the concept.

OBJECTIVE: This survey-based study is designed to assess the impact of assigned reading material and lecture-based practice discussions on pharmacy students’ knowledge and perceptions of the concept of financial toxicity in cancer care during an oncology pharmacotherapeutics course.

METHODS: During an oncology pharmacotherapeutics course, a pre-lecture questionnaire was disseminated to students which assessed baseline student knowledge and perceptions of financial toxicity in cancer care. Students were assigned reading materials and participated in a formal lecture-based in-class discussion on the concept of financial toxicity and its implications in pharmacy practice. Students then completed a post-lecture questionnaire designed to assess changes in student knowledge and perceptions of financial toxicity as it relates to cancer care and treatment. The questionnaire consisted of Likert scale, multiple choice, and free response prompts to evaluate defining the concept, its role in cancer care, the resources available for patients, and the pharmacist’s role. All questionnaires were completed within 1 week surrounding the lecture discussions.

RESULTS: A total of 78 pharmacy students participated in the survey. Prior to instruction, 23 (29.5%) students agreed/strongly agreed that they could clearly define the term financial toxicity compared with 73 (93.6%) students post-instruction. In terms of being able to clearly define the role that financial toxicity plays in overall cancer and patient outcomes, 31 (39.7%) students agreed/strongly agreed pre-instruction compared with 71 (91.02%) students post-instruction. Regarding the knowledge of patient resources, 10 (12.8%) students agreed/strongly agreed pre-instruction compared with 55 (70.5%) students post-instruction. Regarding their opinion on the importance of the pharmacist’s role in managing financial toxicity, 65 (83.3%) students agreed/strongly agreed pre-instruction compared with 71 (91%) students post-instruction.

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the need for increased education on the concept of financial toxicity in oncology pharmacy curricula. It is important that pharmacy students are exposed to this during their coursework and have a basic understanding of financial toxicity on graduation. Based on this study, further financial concepts will be evaluated in this pharmacy school’s oncology curriculum.

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