Evaluation of board certification in nutrition support pharmacy

Background: Credentialing of healthcare professionals is a topic that has received increasing attention. The Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties (BPS) has recognized nutrition support pharmacy as, a specialty for more than 10 years. There has recently been concern about the decline in the number of pharmacists seeking board certification or recertification as specialists in nutrition support and changes in the job responsibilities of nutrition support pharmacists. These factors have resulted in a need to evaluate the current system of certification of nutrition support pharmacists. Methods: A national survey was developed and sent to pharmacist members of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.) and members of the Home Care Section of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). The objectives of this study were to describe the activities of nutrition support pharmacists, determine the benefits and barriers to board certification, and assess the current system of certification. Results: Two hundred and fifty-eight of 486 surveys were returned for an overall response rate of 53%. There has been a decrease in the amount of professional time devoted to nutrition support activities. The most highly ranked benefit to certification was peer recognition. The most highly ranked barrier to certification was the examination cost. Conclusions: There is satisfaction with the current system; however, alternative methods were supported if the current method cannot sustain itself. There is a need to evaluate the cost of the examination and increase marketing efforts to candidates for whom the examination is intended.