CPD Aligned to Competency Standards to Support Quality Practice

Abstract

As medication experts, pharmacists are key members of the patient’s healthcare team. Pharmacists must maintain their competence to practice to remain responsive to the increasingly complex healthcare sector. This paper seeks to determine how competence training for pharmacists may enhance quality in their professional development. Results of two separately administered surveys (2012 and 2013) were compared to examine the reported continued professional development (CPD) practices of Australian pharmacists. Examination of results from both studies enabled a focus on how the competency standards inform CPD practice. In the survey administered in 2012, 91% (n = 253/278) pharmacists reported that they knew their current registration requirements. However, in the survey administered in 2013, only 43% (n = 46/107) reported utilization of the National Competency Standards Framework for Pharmacists in Australia (NCS) to self-asses their practice as part of their annual re-registration requirements. Fewer, 23% (n = 25/107), used the NCS to plan their CPD. This may be symptomatic of poor familiarity with the NCS, uncertainty around undertaking self-directed learning as part of a structured learning plan and/or misunderstandings around what CPD should include. This is supported by thematic analysis of pharmacists’ social media comments. Initial and ongoing competence training to support meaningful CPD requires urgent attention in Australia. The competence (knowledge, skills and attributes) required to engage in meaningful CPD practice should be introduced and developed prior to entry into practice; other countries may find they are in a similar position.

The role of pharmacists in cardiovascular disease prevention: Qualitative studies from the United Kingdom and Greece

“…[26] Therefore, to overcome the issues presented, continuous annual training should be organized by the pharmaceutical professional bodies in both countries and in Greece, CPD should be initiated. CPD is an established mechanism to enhance and keep pharmacists' knowledge up to date,[27] and the Greek Department of health should consider including this as a validation process for pharmacy professionals.…”

Students’ Feedback on the Development of a Competency-Based Pharmacy Education (CBPE) at the University of Tartu, Estonia

“…It is not only important to acquire professional competencies during undergraduate studies but to follow life-long learning (LLL) principles to advance professional development. In addition to CBPE, it is essential to develop practice based competency standards to support continuous professional development activities and thereof improve the quality of daily practice [ 28 , 29 ]. During pharmacy education and training, the principles of LLL are followed in general, but structured LLL system for pharmacists is under development.…”

Use of Face-to-Face Assessment Methods in E-Learning—An Example of an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) Test

“…This would require more effort from the learner but ensure high-quality professional development. Consequently, it is important to evolve practice-based competency standards to support continuous professional development activities and impact the quality of pharmacy practice [23,24].…”