Development of an African paediatric oncology pharmacy curriculum: A SIOP Africa 2024 pharmacy workshop output

BackgroundThe practice of paediatric oncology pharmacy (POP) has been in existence in Africa for several decades. However, most POP practitioners lack formal education and training. Training and credentialing of pharmacists requires the availability of an appropriate curriculum developed to meet local needs. Hence, the African POP technical working group (TWG) of the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) embarked on a process to develop a curriculum in POP.MethodThe curriculum development followed a modified Delphi approach: the formalisation of the POP TWG, the initial development of the curriculum, community and stakeholder engagement via a modified Delphi scoring, and the finalisation of the curriculum at the pharmacy workshop of the SIOP Africa Congress in South Africa.ResultsA POP TWG of 23 members with diverse experiences was formed. The initial curriculum, focusing on 36 theoretical and 5 clinical components, was developed. The modified Delphi process restructured the 36 theoretical contents to 27, the 5 clinical contents to 9, and introduced 6 research modules. The theoretical and clinical components were assigned 86 and 240 credit hours respectively, with a research component culminating in a published manuscript. Twenty-eight individuals from 13 countries attended the workshop, resulting in unanimous approval of the curriculum.ConclusionsThe SIOP Africa Pharmacy TWG has developed a POP curriculum specific to Africa. The implementation of the curriculum through African universities and specialist colleges is imperative to reduce the education and training gaps in POP.