Perspectives on Continuing Education Programs for Foundation-Level Drugstore Pharmacists in Japan

Identifying training needs of practising community pharmacists in Jordan-a self-assessment study

BACKGROUND

Being the professional membership body for pharmacists in Jordan, the Jordan Pharmacists Association (JPA) took the initiative to establish a training centre for practising pharmacists. This study aims to identify the self-assessed training priorities of community pharmacists in Jordan.

METHODS

In the period between August and October 2022, an online self-administered questionnaire was distributed using a variety of participants' identification and recruitment approaches. The questionnaire targeted currently practising community pharmacists. Data were analysed descriptively and inferentially.

RESULTS

In total, 470 community pharmacists participated in this study. Of 470 participants, 307 (65.3%) were employees, of which 206 were full-time employees. Results showed that only 97 (21%) had access to an in-house training programme or scheme. Self-assessment of training needs highlighted differences between the three competencies clusters. While administrative and managerial skills and competencies were more frequently prioritised on average than the other two clusters, interpersonal and communication skills were needed the least. Evidence showed a significant difference between female and male participants regarding the need for training addressing maternity and early childhood health training issues. Lastly, the role-based comparison showed that, compared to pharmacy owners, employees had a significantly higher need for training related to bookkeeping and taxation returns preparation and how to handle and manage records of narcotic and controlled medicines.

CONCLUSIONS

If training and development programmes are tailored to address specific needs in administrative, clinical, and interpersonal competencies, community pharmacists have the potential to enhance public health, expand their role, provide patient-centred care, and support the national healthcare system.

The academic formation challenges: what does retail expect from higher education institutions in pharmacy?

BACKGROUND

The drug retail represents the main area of activity for pharmacists worldwide. In Brazil, this sector is responsible for employing around 80% of professionals. Before this reality, the academic training of pharmacists requires specialized skills and knowledge so they can fulfill their tasks. In this sector, considering the influence of managers and mentors on the model of pharmaceutical practice, their perceptions about the demands of the market can help discussions related to the training of pharmacists.

AIM

To analyze the academic training of pharmacists for the drug retail market from the perspective of managers and mentors.

METHOD

This is a qualitative study conducted with managers and mentors of the drug retail market. A semi-structured interview guide was prepared and applied to the intentionally selected participants. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee under the number 4,169,752. The interviews were conducted through videoconference by an experienced researcher. The data obtained were analyzed using Bardin's analysis technique, following the steps of categorical thematic content analysis using the ATLAS.ti software.

RESULTS

19 interviews were carried out. Among the reports, the interviewees highlighted the importance of retail in the employability of pharmacists, as well as inconsistency in the academic training for this sector, originating the following categories: curriculum reform to include the market demands, follow-up and career plan, training for entrepreneurship and sales, practical application of knowledge, and encouragement of experience.

CONCLUSION

Pharmaceutical academic training is linked to several challenges, whether organizational, structural, or budgetary. To overcome these challenges, it is necessary to unite the interested parties in the formulation and implementation of a strategy for the professionalization of pharmacists, considering their social role in patient care, aligned with the company's sustainability, so that both coexist.

Factors influencing pharmacists' participation in continuing education activities in the United Arab Emirates: insights and implications from a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Continuing professional development (CPD) is essential for pharmacists to maintain and enhance their knowledge and skills. The purpose of this research was to collect data about the perception of pharmacists in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) towards CPD and identify factors that motivate or hinder their participation in different types of CPD activities.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 322 pharmacists who completed a self-administered questionnaire that assessed their demographic characteristics, CPD preferences, motivators and obstacles to attending CPD programs, and perceived learning outcomes.

RESULTS

Participants' average age was 33 years (mean = 30.6, SD = 5.97), and the range of years, since they graduated from a pharmacy degree program was 18 years (mean = 10.9, SD = 4.8). More than half of the participants were female; 198 (61.5%) and 193 (59.9%) of them were married. The study found that married pharmacists (AOR = 0.5, 95% CI 0.266-0.939, P value = 0.031), older participants (AOR = 0.232, 95% CI 0.266-0.939, P value = 0.04), and those who graduated longer than 16 years ago were less likely to attend live CPD events (AOR = 0.454, 95% CI 0.22-0.924). However, participants who worked up to 15 h had higher odds of attending live CPD events (AOR = 3.511, 95% CI 1.117-11.039, P value: 0.026). In addition, female pharmacists were less likely to participate in computer/internet-based continuing education than male pharmacists (AOR = 0.038, 95% CI 0.293-0.965, P value = 0.038). It also revealed that pharmacists who were not motivated by the topic of the CPD activity had a higher chance of attending computer/internet-based format (AOR = 2.289, 95% CI 1.198-4.371, P value = 0.012). In contrast, those who did not report the long distance to the CPD site as a hindrance had a lower likelihood of attending online internet-based CPD (AOR = 0.548, 95% CI 0.319-0.941, P value = 0.029).

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first to explore pharmacists' predictors of attending different CPD activities. These predictors are gender, age, marital status, experience since graduation, working hours, family barriers, work responsibilities, interest in the presentation topic, and the long travel distance to the site. These findings suggest that pharmacists have unique challenges and motivations regarding continuing education and that tailored approaches may be necessary to encourage participation.

"Reigns but does not govern": A reflection on professionalism and the autonomy of the pharmacist

INTRODUCTION

In recent decades, the professionalization of pharmacy has been debated worldwide. With the advent of industrialization, pharmacist autonomy has weakened, especially in the retail pharmacy market. Manegers and mentors of pharmacy chains serve as links between the profession and drug users. This study sought to understand the perceptions of retail pharmacy stakeholders regarding pharmacist autonomy and how to improve it, and to reflect on theories of professionalism.

METHOD

19 semi-structured interviews were conducted. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed through analyst triangulation and categorical content analysis, using the ATLAS.ti software.

RESULTS

Interviews were conducted with nine mentors and ten managers in retail medicine. They reported aspects related to managerial and technical autonomy regulated by law, and strategies for enhancing professional autonomy in retail pharmacy. Autonomy was considered limited by pharmacists' dependence on employability and self-devaluation; and market control exposed the weaknesses in pharmaceutical professionalism. Entrepreneurship and ownership attitude strategies were feasible only in a retail micro-political context.

CONCLUSION

The retail medicine continues to have business model centered on the product and controlling the pharmaceutical practice model. To ensure autonomy and professional strengthening, it is necessary that pharmacy recognizes itself as a clinical profession and develops a stable professional identity.