Your browser doesn't support javascript.
IS THE POST-REGISTRATION FOUNDATION PROGRAMME FIT FOR PURPOSE FOR COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS? AN EXPLORATION OF PHARMACIST EXPERIENCES
International Journal of Pharmacy Practice ; 30(SUPPL 1):i14-i15, 2022.
Article in English | EMBASE | ID: covidwho-1816115
ABSTRACT

Introduction:

The two-year, NHS Education for Scotland (NES) post-registration foundation programme supports early career pharmacists in patient-facing sectors of practice. The experiential programme, based on an eight-element competency framework, also includes webinars, online resources, and tutor support. Learners complete an online evidence portfolio and undertake a summative OSCE.

Aim:

The aim of this paper is to report the experiences of the community-pharmacist participants, with a focus on the fitness-for-purpose' of the programme.

Methods:

This was a longitudinal mixed-methods study theoretically underpinned by Miller's triangle and social cognitive theory. Eligible participants were all pharmacists registering for the programme in Scotland in September 2017 and February 2018, all participating Welsh community-pharmacists, and all tutors. Invitation packs were emailed by NES/HEIW staff with names forwarded to researchers following signed consent. Focus groups/interviews (face-to-face or virtual according to participant preference) were undertaken at start, mid-point and exit of programme, to explore expectations (benefits, social gains, professional identify), experiences (challenges, facilitators, meeting of learners' needs) and barriers. Proceedings were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim and managed using NVivo. Thematic analysis (1) was based on social cognitive theory (transferable behavioural skills and professional attitudes). An inductive analysis additionally identified emergent themes. Participants in Scotland were invited to complete an on-line base-line questionnaire to describe their self-assessed competence against the NES Foundation framework (personal and professional practice, membership of healthcare team, communication, patient centred approach to practice). Data was analysed in SPSS using descriptive statistics. Themes from qualitative and quantitative data were integrated. IRAS ethical approval was not required;NHS Research & Development approval was given.

Results:

96 pharmacists registered for the programme 18 community-pharmacists in Scotland (11 health boards);14 community pharmacists in Wales. In Scotland 15 community-pharmacists completed questionnaires 9 expected an increase in confidence' and 11 to provide better patient care'. Self-assessed competence against the framework was generally high. Across Scotland and Wales, 12 focus-groups (involving 19 community-pharmacists), 12 community-pharmacist interviews, 10 tutor focus-groups (8 community-pharmacist tutors) and 3 community-pharmacist tutor interviews were conducted. At midpoint and exit pharmacists and tutors reported increased confidence, the ability to reflect and pride in their achievement. Barriers included lack of protected time;workload;and lack of support (tutor and employer). There were also programme issues (practicalities of portfolio;workplace-based assessment, no access to medical records);and cultural issues in community-pharmacy (speed & safety';lack of recognition). Reasons for dropping out of the programme included moved geographical area;too experienced;workload pressures;no incentive;no employer support. Four community-pharmacists in Scotland and none in Wales completed the programme.

Conclusion:

Study limitations include the small numbers, programme delivery limited to Scotland and Wales, and limited response rate to focus-groups/interviews, exacerbated by COVID19. Overall community pharmacist expectations were met, and they perceived the programme was fit-for-purpose and worthwhile. However, barriers particularly related to the community pharmacy context, may have led to the high drop-out rate. These findings should be considered as the new UK-wide RPS curriculum for foundation pharmacists (2) is implemented in Scotland, to optimise its successful delivery.
Keywords

Full text: Available Collection: Databases of international organizations Database: EMBASE Type of study: Qualitative research Language: English Journal: International Journal of Pharmacy Practice Year: 2022 Document Type: Article

Similar

MEDLINE

...
LILACS

LIS


Full text: Available Collection: Databases of international organizations Database: EMBASE Type of study: Qualitative research Language: English Journal: International Journal of Pharmacy Practice Year: 2022 Document Type: Article