Is there a need for a hospital pharmacy common training framework? Review of the literature on the impact of educational interventions on health outcome.

BACKGROUND

With the update of the directive 2005/36/EU on the recognition of professional qualifications (2013/55/EU), the European Union (EU) legislation opened also to pharmacists the possibility to define specialisations via a common training framework (CTF).

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to review, synthesise and present published evidence on the impact of health educational interventions targeting healthcare professionals on patients' health outcomes that support a hospital pharmacy CTF in EU.

METHOD

The search was carried out in Medline and Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature and was limited to English language full review articles or primary research published since 2000. Data were extracted independently and compared by three of the researchers.

RESULTS

Ten papers (9 primary research studies and one literature review) were identified. Almost one-third of the studies (30%, n=3) targeted pharmacists in their research. The majority of studies (80%, n=8) have shown that higher education levels among healthcare professionals improved patient outcomes. No study discussed the importance of a CTF.

CONCLUSION

The review of the literature has demonstrated the need for education and training of health personnel to improve patient outcome. Controlled studies about pharmacist education and training in European countries showed that the benefit of a CTF is lacking.