Health workforce planning in Namibia: assessing a pilot workforce survey of pharmacists

Abstract

Background Southern Africa lacks resources necessary to combat presenting health challenges. This crisis will likely be remedied through the in‐country training of healthcare professionals, for example, in Namibia. Monitoring the workforce will be essential to inform planning in health services and training. A national pilot workforce survey in Namibia using a multi‐modal sampling approach aimed to test methodology for describing the pharmacy workforce and quantifying preferences towards further training. Methods The survey tool included questions relating to socio‐demographics, professional and practice aspects. A conjoint analysis approach was utilised to quantify preferences around study programme, modality of study and cost. Key findings Respondents (N = 135; ~20% response) represented a diverse range of individuals in various pharmacy sectors in Namibia. The majority of respondents reported female gender, private sector working, studying outside Namibia and societal group membership. Societal membership and pharmacy ownership – indicators of professional engagement – were associated with higher age; ownership was also associated with study outside Namibia and practice in community pharmacy. Regarding further study preferences, respondents placed more importance on study programme and modality over cost with the most preferred scenario being a 2‐year full‐time Masters programme in pharmaceutical industry/regulation by distance learning at the highest cost bracket. Conclusions This national survey sampled the population of pharmacists in Namibia exploring the composition of the profession and preferences towards training. Further work will validate the findings and provide ongoing monitoring of the pharmacy workforce that can be expanded to other professional groups over a larger geographical area.

Competency (and Beyond): Think Patient. Collaborate. Develop. Evaluate. Improve. Repeat.

“…Data from the competence of graduates is limited due to the fact that all the training programmes are relatively new [19][20][21]. The School is currently planning research to measure the impact of new programmes in Namibia and the competence of pharmacists therein, but will take some time to report on.…”

COVID-19 resilient pharmacy education: A grassroots work-integrated programme to strengthen the pharmaceutical workforce in Namibia

“…Its impact in reshaping pharmacy education, however, is less in developed countries, when compared to resource limited countries in Africa (Draugalis, Johnson, & Urice, 2020;Fuller et al, 2020). Before 2015, the University of Namibia (UNAM), School of Pharmacy implemented a programme to upgrade pharmacist's assistants certificate holders, to pharmaceutical technologists in order to strengthen the pharmaceutical workforce and systems (Rennie et al, 2019). The aim of the Diploma in Pharmacy programme was to strengthen pharmaceutical technical skills in Namibia that are not adequately catered for by the pharmacist and pharmacist's assistant (UNAM, 2019).…”

“…The aim of the Diploma in Pharmacy programme was to strengthen pharmaceutical technical skills in Namibia that are not adequately catered for by the pharmacist and pharmacist's assistant (UNAM, 2019). The programme was particularly designed to address the development of technical skills in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry and the provision of pharmaceutical care services in both primary and secondary healthcare settings to meet Namibia's healthcare needs (Mazibuko et al, 2014;Rennie et al, 2019). The Diploma in Pharmacy programme provides a bridging platform under which pharmacist's assistant certificate holders can reach their full potential in their pharmacy careers, through continuous education, so they can continue to work and earn a salary to support their families, while upgrading their knowledge and skills.…”

“…The continued, chronic need for pharmaceutical personnel in Namibia negatively impacts service delivery (Rennie & Hunter, 2020). During the needs-analysis for the diploma programme, various stakeholders, including Health Professions Council of Namibia, Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), Pharmaceutical Society of Namibia and pharmacy practice sector expressed the need for a mid-level pharmacy cadre to bridge current gaps (Kibuule et al, 2017;Koehler & Brown, 2017;Joshi et al, 2018;Rennie et al, 2019).…”