Defining Core Competencies in Pharmacology Education in Canada

You are invited to participate in the research study mentioned above, conducted by Dr. Dylan Burger, Dr. Fabiana Crowley, and Dr. Karim Ibrahim, as part of a national initiative by the Canadian Society of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (CSPT) to enhance pharmacology education in Canada. This study is funded by the Mitacs Elevate Postdoctoral Fellowship program awarded to Dr. Ibrahim.

Purpose of the Study
This project aims to address gaps in pharmacology education in Canada by defining core competencies for undergraduate and graduate pharmacology learners.

Participation
Your participation will include taking part in online Delphi survey rounds (maximum of three rounds) to reach a consensus on core competencies for pharmacology graduates (1 hour/round). The estimated time commitment for this study is approximately 4 hours in total. In each Delphi round, you will anonymously respond to an online questionnaire in which you will review and rate the proposed competencies. After each round, aggregated, anonymized feedback will be shared with you to revise your views in light of collective insights till a consensus is reached.

Risks
Your participation in this study will entail that you volunteer personal information, and it may involve minor inconveniences, such as time spent completing surveys or reflecting on educational practices. The researchers will make every effort to minimize these risks such as you may choose not to answer any question or withdraw at any time.

Benefits
While there may not be direct benefits to you, participation in this study will directly contribute to improving pharmacology education across Canada. Your input will help shape a national framework of competencies and teaching resources to enhance education for future healthcare professionals.

Confidentiality and Privacy
The information you will share will remain strictly confidential. You understand that the information will be used by the research team only for academic and research purposes. Your identity will be protected unless you choose to disclose it as a contributor to the study publication(s). Identifiable data, such as your name and email address, will be stored securely and used only for study-related communication. De-identified data will be analyzed and reported in study publications or presentations.

To minimize the risk of security breaches and to help ensure your confidentiality, it is recommended that you use standard safety measures, such as signing out of your account, closing your browser, and locking your device when you are no longer using it/when you have completed the study.

Compensation for Participation
As a token of appreciation for your participation in this study, you will be entered into an electronic raffle for one of three $50 prepaid MasterCard gift cards. Your eligibility for the raffle will not be affected if you choose to withdraw from the study at any time. The research team will notify the raffle winners via email once the study is complete.

Conservation of Data
The data collected (survey responses and consent forms) will be stored on encrypted devices and password-protected cloud systems. Data will be retained for seven (7) years following the completion of data collection.

Voluntary Participation
You are under no obligation to participate and if you choose to participate, you can withdraw from the study at any time and/or refuse to answer any questions, without suffering any negative consequences. You are aware that due to the collective nature of the data being collected, some of the data provided may still be used even if you withdraw.

Contact Information
If you have questions about the study, please contact Dr. Fabiana Crowley at fabiana.crowley@schulich.uwo.ca and Dr. Karim Ibrahim at kibrahim@uottawa.ca. If you have concerns about the ethical conduct of this study, you may contact the Office of Research Ethics and Integrity at ethics@uottawa.ca or (613) 562-5800 ext. 5387.