Impact of Board Certification in Pharmacy Informatics: Analysis & Future

Abstract

The pharmacy informatics profession currently faces a fragmented career landscape, often relying on vendor-specific training rather than universal standards. This presentation evaluates the potential impact of establishing a Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) certification for pharmacy informatics, contrasting the current state of pharmacy with medicine and nursing, which have long established board certifications in informatics.

Key Discussion Points:

• The Leadership Gap: How board certification can help pharmacists assert professional leadership in the health IT space, distinguishing them from general IT staff.
• Pros & Cons: While acknowledging the barriers of cost and additional effort, the analysis argues that certification improves the quality of experts, recognizes the specialty, and creates necessary standards for advanced practice.
• Future Outlook: Board certification is presented not as a "cure-all" for career ladder issues, but as a critical steppingstone for professional identity and the standardization of the discipline.