ADAPT
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the requirements to take ADAPT?
All ADAPT participants must complete the online prerequisite and self assessment “An introduction
to primary health care – is ADAPT right for me” at www.pharmacists.ca/AdaptPrerequisite before
enrolling in ADAPT. This assessment will ascertain if participants have the required or
recommended elements in place – including high speed internet access, time and space to devote
to patient care, an established relationship with a prescriber, etc.
How much time will it take?
ADAPT requires at least 6 hours per week for learning (watching presentations, carrying out written
or in-practice activities, reading, and participating in online discussions). This is an average; some
weeks require more time, and some less. Some students may wish to spend additional time
participating in discussions or carrying out optional activities.
Some of this weekly time will be used to carry out ADAPT activities within your practice, with your
patients or colleagues. (e.g., conducting a patient interview; having a collaborating physician assess
your documentation).
Do you have a course outline? What is the work schedule? Can I work at my own pace?
Please see the Course Prospectus (at www.pharmacists.ca/adapt) for module topics, learning
objectives and course authors.
ADAPT is an online, computer-based course. The majority of course content is delivered in an online
environment. Currently, the online Learning Management System used to deliver ADAPT is the
Desire 2 Learn platform, as administered by the University of Waterloo.
ADAPT generally runs 19 weeks*, including 18 weeks of learning activities and a 1 week study break
(depending on time of year). A learning week begins on a Wednesday and ends on a Tuesday.
ADAPT is a scheduled course, meaning there are certain activities or milestones that must be met
each learning week, but within that week you have the flexibility of working at your own pace.
There are 7 modules, and each takes between 2 – 4 weeks to complete. The full learning schedule is
contained in the syllabus embedded in the course, but the general learning schedule is as follows:
weeks 1-2
Module 1-Orientation
weeks 3-4
Module2-Medication Assessment
weeks 5-6
Module 3-Collaboration
weeks 7-9
Module 4-Patient Interviewing
week 10
Study Break/Catch up *
weeks 11-14
Module 5-Evidence Based Medicine
weeks 15-17
Module 6-Documentation
weeks 18-19
Module 7-Putting it all together
*Study break will be 2 weeks long in any some situations
© Canadian Pharmacists Association, 2012
Updated May 2012
ADAPT
Typically, you will have activity “assignments” (activities to try out in your practice, documents to
upload to a drop box, or responses to questions to be posted to a discussion board) each week.
Activities are generally due on the Saturday, and online discussion of activities then follows Sunday
through Tuesday. This allows enough flexibility for you to work at your own schedule, and yet still
allows time for reflection and conversation over discussion board postings and submissions before
the next learning week begins.
Are the modules offered separately?
No. ADAPT is a comprehensive course, and each module builds on to the next. The course is
designed to develop enhanced patient care skills in a number of areas, with the final module being
a summation of all that you have learned (and practised) throughout the weeks of the course.
What do I get after I complete ADAPT?
Each individual ADAPT module is accredited for a specific number of CEUs. Students who meet the
CEU completion requirements will receive their CEUs (as evidenced by a letter of participation).
Please refer to the Course Prospectus for the learning objectives and CEUs available for each
module.
ADAPT also meets the latest standards to be recognized as a Certificate Level Program, as set by the
Canadian Council on Continuing Education in Pharmacy. Participants who meet all the CEU
completion requirements (and therefore receive all their CEUs) are eligible to challenge an
assessment process to receive their Certificate in Patient Care Skills after completing ADAPT.
Why do I need my licence to practise pharmacy in a Canadian province or territory before I enroll?
Some of the direct patient care and collaborative activities in ADAPT can only be legally performed
by pharmacists who are licensed to practice pharmacy in a Canadian province/territory. CPhA
cannot guarantee that you meet the Scope of Practice requirements to carry out ADAPT activities if
you do not have your licence to practise pharmacy in a Canadian province/territory.
Do I have to be actually practising to take ADAPT?
CPhA recommends that you are practising in a Canadian setting that includes some level of direct
patient care while you are participating in ADAPT. ADAPT requires you to carry out certain direct
patient care and collaborative activities in practice, so you do require an environment where you
can interact with patients. A community pharmacy, multidisciplinary primary care clinic,
ambulatory care clinic or hospital pharmacy are some examples. Furthermore, the best learning in
ADAPT requires a practice environment where you can apply early on what is learned, thereby
enhancing the learning experience (and improving retention).
© Canadian Pharmacists Association, 2012
Updated May 2012
ADAPT
How does learning happen?
A variety of mechanisms are used. The four main mechanisms are
clinical video scenarios (to watch, observe, reflect on, discuss, and assess);
• discussion boards (where you will share activities’ results, discuss and debate and solidify
and expand on your core learning with your peers);
• Global Rating Scales (validated assessment scales that have been used in health care
education to promote development of skills, and/or provide formative assessment); and
• the ADAPT Action Plan (a systematic process for making sustained changes in your own
practice).
Who are the course instructors, and/or authors?
Please refer to the ADAPT Course Prospectus for a list of course content authors.
ADAPT uses online moderators instead of instructors. Learners are grouped into cohorts (up to 15
learners per cohort) and are guided through the course by one or more online moderators.
Moderators are experienced educators and ADAPT subject matter experts. Moderators go through
a rigourous, accredited training program to become an ADAPT moderator.
For more information, please visit www.pharmacists.ca/AdaptModerators
Is ADAPT available in French?
The learning content is all developed in English. Hover, a significant portion of learning takes place
in peer-to-peer, peer-to-moderator discussions. If a cohort of students wishes to carry out their
online discussions in French, CPhA will consider offering the services of a French speaking
moderator.
What happens if I go on vacation?
If you know when you will be away, you may arrange a different work schedule with your
moderator (whom you will meet during the initial orientation module) about how you can work
ahead or catch up.
When do the courses run?
Courses will typically be offered 2-3 times per year. Visit www.pharamcists.ca/adapt for dates.
Please contact [email protected] to add your name to the email notification list to be alerted
when online registration opens.
What is the cost? Are group discounts available?
Course pricing is available at www.pharmacists.ca/adapt. CPhA would be pleased to discuss
registration discounts for large groups of pharmacists. Please contact [email protected] .
© Canadian Pharmacists Association, 2012
Updated May 2012