School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK.
School of Allied Health Professions, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
BMC Med Educ. 2022 Jul 15;22(1):551. doi: 10.1186/s12909-022-03575-5.
The provision of independent prescribing rights for United Kingdom (UK) pharmacists has enabled them to prescribe within their area of competence. The aim of this study was to evaluate an evidence-based training programme designed to prepare Pharmacist Independent Prescribers (PIPs) to safely and effectively assume responsibility for pharmaceutical care of older people in care homes in the UK, within a randomised controlled trial.
The training and competency assessment process included two training days, professional development planning against a bespoke competency framework, mentor support, and a viva with an independent General Practitioner (GP). Data on the PIPs' perceptions of the training were collected through evaluation forms immediately after the training days and through online questionnaires and interviews after delivery of the 6-month intervention. Using a mixed method approach each data set was analysed separately then triangulated providing a detailed evaluation of the process. Kaufman's Model of Learning Evaluation guided interpretations.
All 25 PIPs who received the training completed an evaluation form (N = 25). Post-intervention questionnaires were completed by 16 PIPs and 14 PIPs took part in interviews. PIPs reported the training days and mentorship enabled them to develop a personalised portfolio of competence in preparation for discussion during a viva with an independent GP. Contact with the mentor reduced as PIPs gained confidence in their role. PIPs applied their new learning throughout the delivery of the intervention leading to perceived improvements in residents' quality of life and medicines management. A few PIPs reported that developing a portfolio of competence was time intensive, and that further training on leadership skills would have been beneficial.
The bespoke training programme was fit for purpose. Mentorship and competency assessment were resource intensive but appropriate. An additional benefit was that many PIPs reported professional growth beyond the requirement of the study.
The definitive RCT was registered with the ISRCTN registry (registration number ISRCTN 17,847,169 ).
英国（UK）药剂师获得独立处方权后，能够在其能力范围内开处方。本研究旨在评估一项循证培训计划，该计划旨在培训药师独立处方者（PIP），使其能够在英国养老院中安全有效地承担老年人的药物治疗责任，这是一项随机对照试验。
培训和能力评估过程包括两天的培训、根据定制能力框架制定的专业发展计划、导师支持以及与独立全科医生（GP）的现场考核。通过培训后两天的评估表以及 6 个月干预后的在线问卷和访谈，收集了 PIP 对培训的看法。使用混合方法，分别分析每个数据集，然后进行三角分析，对该过程进行详细评估。考夫曼的学习评估模型指导了对数据的解释。
所有接受培训的 25 名 PIP 都完成了评估表（N=25）。16 名 PIP 完成了干预后的问卷，14 名 PIP 参加了访谈。PIP 报告说，培训日和导师指导使他们能够在与独立 GP 进行现场考核之前，制定个性化的能力组合。随着 PIP 对自己的角色越来越有信心，与导师的联系减少了。PIP 在整个干预过程中应用他们的新知识，从而使居民的生活质量和药物管理得到改善。少数 PIP 报告说，制定能力组合需要大量时间，并且还需要进一步的领导力培训。
定制培训计划是有针对性的。导师指导和能力评估虽然资源密集，但却是恰当的。一个额外的好处是，许多 PIP 报告说他们在研究要求之外获得了专业成长。
这项确定性 RCT 在 ISRCTN 注册中心注册（注册号 ISRCTN 17,847,169）。
