The Development and Evaluation of a Structured Continuing Professional Development Programme for Pharmacists in Kuwait: A Feasibility Study

Abstract

Continuous education and training play a critical role in preparing a competent pharmacy workforce to meet the healthcare needs of the public. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of implementing a structured Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training programme for pharmacists in Kuwait. Twenty-one practicing pharmacists participated in the programme. This study evaluated the programme’s effectiveness and feasibility by analysing data from three sources: (1) two focus group interviews, (2) CPD records collected in May and November 2019, and (3) online survey responses collected at the middle and end of the programme. Findings from this study showed that implementing a structured CPD programme is feasible and could positively impact pharmacists’ practice. A guiding competency framework and continuous feedback from programme instructors added valuable support for pharmacists during the programme, and facilitated an impactful translation of education into practice. This study provides the first data on pharmacists’ CPD in Kuwait and serves as a starting point for future education plans, studies, and transformational actions pertaining to pharmacy workforce education and training.

Transforming pharmacy practice in Kuwait

“…Another survey of continuing professional development needs expressed by primary care and hospital pharmacists also provided additional information on the readiness (or lack of it) of the workforce to engage in new professional activities or services. 10 The committee referred to the needs assessment done by CoP and showed fifteen population services expected from pharmacists working in Kuwait. 22 The committee also took into consideration strategic alignment with Kuwait vision 2035, UN sustainable goals and WHO health strategies.…”

“…Pharmacy practice in Kuwait has long been identified as a sector yet to be developed, 4,8,9 with recommendations mainly urging to invest in undergraduate education and continuing professional development 10–13 . Additional recommendations called for expanding the scope of practice, standardising current pharmaceutical services and implementing new integrated services to address population needs, adopting multidisciplinary team approach, 8,14,15 as well as establishing new policies and regulation that would support practice and workforce expansion and development 8 .…”

“…[3][4][5][6][7] Pharmacy practice in Kuwait has long been identified as a sector yet to be developed, 4,8,9 with recommendations mainly urging to invest in undergraduate education and continuing professional development. [10][11][12][13] Additional recommendations called for expanding the scope of practice, standardising current pharmaceutical services and implementing new integrated services to address population needs, adopting multidisciplinary team approach, 8,14,15 as well as establishing new policies and regulation that would support practice and workforce expansion and development. 8 The adoption of these recommendations was envisioned through a joint and sustained collaboration between the Ministry of Health (MoH) as the main healthcare services provider in the country, Kuwait Pharmaceutical association (KuPhA) as the professional body representing the pharmacy profession in Kuwait, and the College of pharmacy (CoP) at Kuwait University (KU) as it is the only pharmacy school in the country.…”

“…The survey was opened for a total of two months and collected around 200 responses that were mapped to the three main pillars (improvement of ‘regulations and legislations’ 45%, ‘education and training’ 15%, improvement of ‘pharmacy practice and services’ 13%, and ‘other suggestions’ 27%). Another survey of continuing professional development needs expressed by primary care and hospital pharmacists also provided additional information on the readiness (or lack of it) of the workforce to engage in new professional activities or services 10 . The committee referred to the needs assessment done by CoP and showed fifteen population services expected from pharmacists working in Kuwait 22 .…”

Pharmacy Education Development

“…The educational model described in this study was perceived as having a long-term impact on their behaviors and management practices in health services. Al Haqan describes the development of continuous professional development program for pharmacists in Kuwait [14]. A guiding competency framework and continuous feedback from program instructors added valuable support for pharmacists during the program and facilitated an impactful translation of education into practice.…”