Designated prescribing practitioners: a theory-based cross-sectional study of stakeholders’ views on implementation of a novel pharmacy regulator mandated preceptorship model

Abstract

Background Scottish Government is increasing independent prescribers (IP) in community pharmacy (CP). A new preceptorship model using IPs as Designated Prescribing Practitioners (DPPs) has been introduced. Aim To investigate stakeholder views of implementation of a novel regulator mandated IP course preceptorship model. Method A theory-based online pre-piloted survey of stakeholders including e.g. directors of pharmacy, prescribing, education leads, policy & strategy leads and CPs. Questionnaire development used Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) and a DPP Competency Framework. Data were analysed descriptively and presented with mapping to CFIR constructs. Results Of ninety-nine responses 82.5% (80/97) responded ‘yes’ to ‘..abilities in reporting concerns..’ and 53.1% (51/96) indicating ‘no’ to ‘..anticipated issues with clinical and diagnostic skills’. CFIR related facilitators included agreement that; there was tension for change with 84 (85%) indicating ‘….urgent need to implement role …’, that incentives are likely to help (6566%) and small pilots would help (8588%). Barriers were evident related to ‘unsure’ responses about sufficiency of; DPP capacity (39/97, 40.2%), time (48/96, 50%) and support and resources (4445%) to undertake the role. Concerns were expressed with 81 (83%) in agreement or unsure that leadership commitment may be lacking and 48 (48.9%) were ‘unsure’ about availability of good training for the DPP role. Conclusion There was DPP role positivity but expressed barriers and facilitators at policy, organisational and individual practitioner levels needing further consideration. Further research is warranted on uptake and embedding of the role.

Pharmacist prescribing training models in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada: Snapshot survey

“…Also, the respondents did not have any concerns about the clinical and diagnostic skills of DPPs or their abilities to work collaboratively. The same survey also reported a very high level of agreement on the urgent need to implement the role of DPPs as supervisors, which advantages outweigh the disadvantages (Jebara et al, 2022).…”

“…Few studies in the literature have discussed this point, as it is a novel way of supervision and is still in a growth phase. A survey of stakeholder views on the implementation of the role DPPs in 2022 found that the majority of respondents agreed on the ability of DPPs to report or respond to trainee concerns (Jebara et al, 2022). The majority of stakeholders agreed on the confidence and competence of DPPs in training, supervising, and assessing independent prescribers.…”