Insights From the Defining Issues Test on Moral Reasoning Competencies Development in Community Pharmacists

Abstract

Objective. To investigate whether a profession-specific educational intervention affected the development of moral reasoning competencies in community pharmacists, as measured by the Defining Issues Test (DIT2). Methods. This research used a repeated measures pre-post educational intervention design as a quasirandomized, controlled, crossover study to evaluate changes in the moral reasoning scores of 27 volunteer community pharmacists in Ireland. Results. Changes in pharmacists' moral reasoning competencies development, as reported by P-Scores and N2-Scores, were found to be significant. In addition, interaction effects were observed between developmental scores on the DIT2 and whether participants were determined to be consolidated in their reasoning pre-and post-engagement with the educational intervention. Conclusion. Short profession-specific educational interventions have the potential to positively affect the development of moral reasoning competencies of community pharmacists.

Promoting Peer Debate in Pursuit of Moral Reasoning Competencies Development: Spotlight on Educational Intervention Design

“…Notwithstanding that adaptation to 'local' terminology and legislation might be required, the ICMs developed for the Irish study (Appendix 1 and supplementary files) might be used in educational interventions with community pharmacists in other jurisdictions. 11,49 MRCD in other branches of the profession could be similarly investigated. Development of interprofessional ICM scenarios, with a focus on patientcentered care, would be an additional support to MRCD in the context of multidisciplinary decision-making.…”

“…11,58 Collaboration between researchers, through complementary expertise and across jurisdictions, could accelerate development of the evidence base for pharmacy. Notwithstanding that adaptation to 'local' terminology and legislation might be required, the ICMs developed for the Irish study (Appendix 1 and supplementary files) might be used in educational interventions with community pharmacists in other jurisdictions.…”

“…11 The situational factors and design elements of the educational program in this study are discussed here as an example of the implementation of the educational principles outlined above.…”

“…Participants engaged online with the researcher and with activities by means of the VLE. 11 The design of the intervention accommodated participant completion of the pre-post measure (the DIT), as identified by their pseudonyms, when face-to-face at the beginning and end of the intervention and by means of postal services when acting as a control.…”

“…Insights related to the use of ICMs in MRCD were derived by the first author from experience of delivering face-to-face sessions 11,49 and from facilitating activities online. If an educational intervention was to be adapted accordingly, it might 'reach' more participants and/ or increase the likelihood of a positive impact on MRCD.…”