CONTEXT: Patient care, focused on patient outcomes and safety, includes a clinical pharmacy approach to pharmacotherapy. Problem solving, decision-making and evidence-based practice require competent pharmacists, educated in a SMART way. STRUCTURE: SMART Clinical Pearls are designed as one or two-day educational courses to promote a new approach to patient care. Interactive courses called Clinical Pearls could be part of a SMART Pharmacist Program, or stand-alone educational activities. Lectures and workshops are provided by practitioners, enhancing pharmacists’ knowledge, skills, attitudes and values. Clinical guidelines and case studies are used to achieve the confidence and competence to embrace new roles and services in pharmacy practice, both in hospital and community settings.

PROCESS: The process of learning starts with pre-reading, self-assessment of competencies and indicators of quality for services. Following SMART Learning objectives, participants plan to apply new skills and knowledge in their everyday practice and to document and measure the impact at the patient level.

OUTCOME: Participants update their knowledge and increase their clinical competencies by applying new skills in their practice. Motivation and dedication to advance will grow.

IMPACT: Visible and measurable outcomes will be noticeable at the patient level, as well as at the pharmacists’ level (increasing their competencies). Cooperation with patients and medical doctors is improved.

Some of the available SMART Clinical Pearls courses are:

• • • • • • • • • • • Patient Care Process
                    • Patient Care in Asthma and COPD
                    • Patient Care in Diabetes
                    • Patient Care in Hypertension and Dyslipidaemia
                    • Women’s Health
                    • Men’s Health
                    • Communication Skills and Motivational Interviewing
                    • Patient Care in Gastro-Intestinal Diseases
                    • Patient Care in CNS Disorders
                    • Rational Pharmacotherapy