Evaluation of a vaccination training program for pharmacy graduands in Australia.

INTRODUCTION: The University of Sydney School of Pharmacy offered provisionally registered pharmacy graduands the opportunity to complete the Pharmacy Guild of Australia (PGA) vaccination training course. This study evaluated participant perceptions of the vaccination training course and their experiences in administering the vaccines. METHODS: Graduands' perceived knowledge of influenza vaccinations and skills and confidence in administering vaccinations were assessed using anonymous, 17-item, pre- and post-course surveys (5-point Likert items, 1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree). Pre-course completion was 68% (63 of 92 participants) and post-course completion was 62% (57 of 92 participants). Follow-up interviews with 18 participants provided an understanding of vaccination experiences and opinions of the quality and timing of the course in terms of preparing them to confidently administer influenza vaccines in a community pharmacy setting. RESULTS: The course resulted in significant increases in the graduands' perceived knowledge of influenza vaccinations (24.4% increase, p < 0.001), skills in managing patients receiving influenza vaccines (27.1% increase, p < 0.001), and confidence level to administer influenza vaccines (80.7% increase, p < 0.001). Telephone interviews confirmed the survey results and showed that 55% of participants administered influenza vaccines during their intern year, with the majority (63%) of participants believing that the best time to complete the training course was shortly before commencing vaccinations. CONCLUSIONS: The PGA vaccination training course significantly improved graduands' confidence, skill, and knowledge of influenza vaccination. However, the amount of time between completing the training course and first vaccination can affect confidence to administer vaccines.

Implementation of systematic progression of community pharmacy-based prescription verification into the skills-based laboratory curriculum.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To describe the design, implementation, and evaluation of systematic progressive community pharmacy-based prescription verification activities across a skills-based laboratory course series. EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY AND SETTING: Community pharmacy-based prescription verification activities were implemented into three laboratory courses, Abilities Lab (ABL) 1, 2, and 4. During each activity, students practiced prescription verification using a handout with two components. First, a checklist outlining an eight-step verification process serves as a student resource. In the second handout component, students are required to identify which step contains a prescription error(s), the appropriate pharmacist action, and the recommendation needed in order to correct the error(s). After verifying and completing the handout, the students participate in a facilitator-led discussion on the recommendations necessary to dispense the prescription. As students progressed through ABL 1, 2, and 4, both the error type and scope of the verification process expanded. Class verification exercises culminated in a final practical assessment at the end of each semester. FINDINGS: In ABL 1 students scored an average of 99.5% (n = 161, standard deviation (SD) = 1.92) on the final practical assessment. In ABL 2, students scored an average of 97.6% (n = 166, SD = 3.07). In ABL 4, students scored an average of 90.3% (n = 159, SD = 11.2). SUMMARY: This manuscript adds value to the current literature by describing the implementation of progressive community pharmacy-based prescription verification activities across a skills-based laboratory course series.

An evaluation of virtual ethics discussion groups as a method of learning on a pharmacist Independent Prescribing (IP) programme.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A postgraduate body within Queen's University Belfast (QUB) has offered a pharmacist Independent Prescribing (IP) programme to pharmacists living locally in Northern Ireland (NI) since 2006. In 2016, this course was modified and delivered by the School of Pharmacy within QUB for a non-local population of pharmacists from Great Britain (GB). In order to substitute face-to-face, live training in NI, distance learning methods were employed for one of the modules that involved studying ethical dilemmas. The purpose of this study was to assess participant acceptance and perceived effectiveness of the utilized distance learning methods. EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY AND SETTING: All participants within Cohort 2 of the IP programme offered to GB pharmacists viewed an online recorded lecture on dealing with ethical dilemmas. This involved being taught about a professional decision-making model. Participants then applied this model to four ethical case studies via virtual discussion groups and were invited to complete a questionnaire regarding their views on these teaching methods. FINDINGS: Twenty participants viewed the online recorded lecture, and 19 attended the virtual discussion groups. Eighteen participants (90%) responded to the survey. Participants reacted positively to the e-learning format. Following the training, all participants felt confident applying the professional decision-making model and only one did not intend to apply the model to their practice. SUMMARY: The utilized e-learning format was well received and effective in producing pharmacists who felt confident approaching and resolving ethical dilemmas in their new roles as pharmacist prescribers.

Pharmacist Perception of a Mobile Application Audience Response System for Remote Pharmacy Continuing Education Participants.

INTRODUCTION: Interactive audience response during continuing education (CE) in pharmacy practice increases audience involvement. However, remote-site participants may not have access to interactive technology. This study explores the perceptions of a mobile application audience response system (ARS) by remote pharmacy CE participants. Secondarily, we evaluatedinterest in continued use of ARS, as well as willingness to use as an assessment tool for CE effectiveness. METHODS: Pharmacists participating in CE sessions remotely within a health system were provided a unique ARS session code to enter into a free mobile application. Participants then responded to ARS presentation questions. An online survey link was e-mailed to all potential remote participants inquiring about perceptions of ARS use. RESULTS: Of the 52 potential remote users, 28 (53.8%) responded to the survey. The top 3 positive responses included the availability of free software (71.4%), anonymity (57.1%), and ease of use (53.6%). Top 2 barriers included slowing the process down (14.3%) and requiring the use of application software (14.3%). DISCUSSION: Interactive software during pharmacy CE lectures for participants at remote locations within a health system was well accepted. ARS should be considered and further studied for CE lectures at institutions with remote participants.

Pharmacists' Attitudes and Role in Diabetes Management in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes is the fastest growing chronic diseases worldwide and in Bosnia and Herzegovina. International standards for diabetes care have recognized the crucial role of pharmacists in diabetes management. Community pharmacists can provide services beyond medication dispensing inducing patient identification, assessment, education, referral, monitoring and behavioral counseling. Pharmacists' attitudes toward diabetes are generally positive but do not correlate with the degree of their involvement in diabetes management and frequency of providing diabetes-related services varied throughout countries. AIM: To measure pharmacists' attitude toward diabetes management and to identify pharmacy services that are currently provided to patients with diabetes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional survey-based study among pharmacists from Bosnia and Herzegovina attending on of the conferences in May 2018. Majority of pharmacist attending such conferences are from community pharmacies across the whole country considering surveyed sample was representative. The questionnaire contained 3 different sections: a) participants' demographics, b) measured participants' attitude toward diabetes using the DAS-3 to measure participants' degree of agreement to 33 diabetes-related statements, on a 5-point Likert type scale and c) a list of possible diabetes patient support activities that could be delivered by pharmacists based on authors experience and available literature. RESULTS: The majority of respondents (86,5%) were female and 53,8% work in private owned pharmacies. Interest in diabetes was indicated by 94,2% while 59,6% completed special diabetes continuing education in the past. All the respondents expressed positive attitudes in all DAS-3 with no significant difference between overall DAS-3 and subscale values. Provided services differ but mainly drug oriented and partially include comorbidity counseling. CONCLUSION: Pharmacists had positive attitudes toward diabetes but they provided limited diabetes-related services to patients. Additional special education is needed.

Assessment of community pharmacists' confidence, foundational knowledge, and coordination of care activities in patients with cancer as a chronic condition.

OBJECTIVES: To develop and deliver a series of structured educational programs to community pharmacists to build on current foundational knowledge of cancer and cancer therapy. The specific objectives were to: 1) develop and provide an educational program focused on oncology pharmacy practice in the community; and 2) measure the program impact on participants' confidence, foundational knowledge, and coordination of cancer care activities. PRACTICE INNOVATION: A structured, in-person, 6-hour educational program tailored for community pharmacists was developed and delivered along with two 20-minute online webinar sessions. The topics identified for the webinars were based on solicited feedback from participants attending the live educational program. EVALUATION: A pre- and post-survey was used to evaluate the participant's assessment of the live educational program, and a retrospective survey was used to evaluate the education sessions. RESULTS: Twenty-one pharmacists attended the in-person session. Participants indicated that they were more confident and able to coordinate care after the educational intervention. There was a nonsignificant improvement in foundational knowledge. CONCLUSION: The educational sessions provided current relevant information for community pharmacists to build on knowledge of oncology pharmacy practice and resources. This increased the pharmacists' confidence to address needs and facilitate coordination of care for individuals with cancer. Delivery of education tailored to community pharmacy is important as the advancing cancer care model continues to adapt with new medications and innovations.

Continuing pharmacy education practices in geriatric care among pharmacists in the Upper Midwest.

OBJECTIVES: To summarize select continuing pharmacy education (CPE) topics and hours related to geriatric care completed by community, hospital/clinic, and long-term care (LTC)/consultant pharmacists in the previous 12 months, whether pharmacy workplace influenced topic selection or completion, and to describe CPE sources used by community versus hospital/clinic pharmacists. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey (2017). SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Licensed pharmacists in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, and Nebraska with primary practice settings in community pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics or those practicing as consultant pharmacists. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: CPE on geriatric-related topics and hours completed in the previous 12 months, CPE providers and sources used, and differences in CPE topic completion and CPE providers and sources by primary pharmacy practice setting. RESULTS: Pharmacists' response rates for states ranged from 10.5% to 17.1%. Pharmacists (n = 1082) reported limited completion of geriatric-related topics. Almost one-third completed CPE credit in Alzheimer disease (AD) but fewer than 20% of pharmacists in selected age-related chronic diseases (e.g., Parkinson disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, epilepsy, vascular dementia, geriatric syndrome). LTC/consultant pharmacists completed significantly more hours in geriatric-related topics compared with other pharmacists. In contrast, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, asthma, and heart failure were completed by 34% to 64% of the pharmacists. Pharmacist's Letter (57.2%), Power-Pak CE (42.4%), conferences, conventions, and symposia (32.5%), and Pharmacy Times (21.8%), were the most used CPE sources. Other sources were used by fewer than 18% of the pharmacists. Online CPE providers used by high numbers of study participants offered limited AD- or dementia-related topics and hours. CONCLUSION: Findings revealed modest to minimal CPE completion in select geriatric care topics among pharmacists in the Upper Midwest. Completion rates were higher for LTC pharmacists compared with hospital, clinic, and community pharmacists. Only a few CPE sources were heavily used, and those offered minimal CPE in AD/dementia-related care. Given current findings and previous research, current CPE use habits and CPE offerings from major providers and sources seem insufficient for ensuring continued high-quality patient-centered care for growing U.S. aging populations.

Changes in Pharmacists' Perceptions After a Training in Opioid Misuse and Accidental Overdose Prevention.

INTRODUCTION: Continuing education is needed for health professionals to take an active role in reversing the opioid crisis. This report describes the results of training to promote behavioral change by altering pharmacists' perceptions toward opioid misuse through the provision of content-related education. METHODS: A free 3-hour opioid misuse and overdose prevention training program was developed and delivered to 43 community pharmacists. The training consisted of five modules addressing the disease of addiction, risks associated with opioids and accidental overdose, the role of naloxone, opioid dispensing and consultation pearls, and effective ways to communicate with patients about opioids. A paired analysis was performed from a 12-item survey delivered before and after the training program to assess changes in pharmacists' perception. RESULTS: Five items showed a statistically significant (P < .05) change in perceptions after the training. Significant changes were reported for opioid addiction being outside the control of the affected person, the role of family history in prescription drug abuse, the value of counseling to support patients at risk of prescription opioid abuse, the value of screening tools, and the importance of viewing things from the patient's perspective. Correlation analysis identified that pharmacists' views on their role in the fight against the opioid epidemic and their agreement in the value to screen for opioid misuse were most closely related to the desire for behavioral change. DISCUSSION: A training program influenced pharmacists' attitudes and perceptions about targeted behaviors and associated with the value of screening for opioid misuse or overdose risk and counseling patients about the benefits and risks of opioids.

Knowledge and practice characteristics of pharmacists in Qatar towards medication use in pregnancy: a cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Medication use during pregnancy is common. Pharmacists have an important role in improving medication use during pregnancy. There is a lack of empirical evidence on pharmacists' knowledge and practice characteristics towards medication use in pregnancy. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the knowledge and practice characteristics of pharmacists in Qatar about medicines use in pregnancy. METHODS: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted over a period of 6 months in 2010. Questionnaires were distributed to 400 of 800 licensed pharmacists employed in Qatar (in government and private sectors). Data were collected on: demographics and practice characteristics of the pharmacists; their knowledge and perception about medication use in pregnancy; their confidence in dealing with pregnant women and physicians; and their source of the drug information. RESULTS: Of the 400 questionnaires distributed, 207 were returned (52% response rate). Most pharmacists (71%) had not participated in any educational activities on medication use in pregnancy. About 50% reported that < 10% of their workload involved dispensing medications to pregnant women. A lack of available resources and unknown pregnancy status were the main concerns about dispensing medication to pregnant women. The majority of the respondents had average knowledge about medication use in pregnancy. There was a significant association between knowledge, and continuing education and years of experience (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacists in Qatar had an average level of knowledge about medications use in pregnancy. Continuous educational programmes are needed for pharmacists in Qatar to enhance their knowledge and practice of medicine use during pregnancy.

Involvement of community pharmacists in continuing professional development (CPD): a baseline survey in Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Health care professionals have been striving to maintain their competence to deliver the best quality of service. This study intended to determine involvement in continuing professional development of community pharmacists in Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: About 46 community pharmacists, each from a different setting, were interviewed using structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Pearson's Chi-square test of independence and Mann-Whitney U test with p < 0.05 taken as statistically significant. RESULTS: The majority (n = 26, 56.5%) reported of being unaware of the CPD concept. The mean hour spent per week on CPD is 4.1 ± 4.0. Most (n = 34, 73.9%) were engaged in self directed learning and expressed an interest to be more involved in CPD activities (N = 39, 84.8%). Interactive workshops were the most preferred modality. However they seek further support in the process of identifying learning needs (N = 34, 73.9%). The main barriers for CPD engagement include lack of (N = 36, 78.3%) and inaccessibility (N = 34, 73.9%) of CPD opportunities as well as time shortage (N = 33, 71.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The community pharmacists in Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia lack awareness of CPD concept but engaged in various types of CPD activities. They demonstrated good attitude and seek more support. The main barrier was lack of opportunities related to CPD.

Training on the use of a bespoke continuing professional development framework improves the quality of CPD records.

BACKGROUND: Using continuing professional development (CPD) as part of the revalidation of pharmacy professionals has been proposed in the UK but not implemented. We developed a CPD outcomes framework ('the framework') for scoring CPD records, where the score range was -100 to +150 based on demonstrable relevance and impact of the CPD on practice. OBJECTIVE: This exploratory study aimed to test the outcome of training people to use the framework, through distance-learning material (active intervention), by comparing CPD scores before and after training. SETTING: Pharmacy professionals were recruited in the UK in Reading, Banbury, Southampton, Kingston-upon-Thames and Guildford in 2009. METHOD: We conducted a randomised, double-blinded, parallel-group, before and after study. The control group simply received information on new CPD requirements through the post; the active intervention group also received the framework and associated training. Altogether 48 participants (25 control, 23 active) completed the study. All participants submitted CPD records to the research team before and after receiving the posted resources. The records (n = 226) were scored blindly by the researchers using the framework. A subgroup of CPD records (n = 96) submitted first (before-stage) and rewritten (after-stage) were analysed separately. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Scores for CPD records received before and after distributing group-dependent material through the post. RESULTS: Using a linear-regression model both analyses found an increase in CPD scores in favour of the active intervention group. For the complete set of records, the effect was a mean difference of 9.9 (95 % CI 0.4-19.3), p value = 0.04. For the subgroup of rewritten records, the effect was a mean difference of 17.3 (95 % CI 5.6-28.9), p value = 0.0048. CONCLUSION: The intervention improved participants' CPD behaviour. Training pharmacy professionals to use the framework resulted in better CPD activities and CPD records, potentially helpful for revalidation of pharmacy professionals.

The sustainability of improvements from continuing professional development in pharmacy practice and learning behaviors.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the long-term sustainability of continuing professional development (CPD) training in pharmacy practice and learning behaviors. METHODS: This was a 3-year posttrial survey of pharmacists who had participated in an unblinded randomized controlled trial of CPD. The online survey assessed participants' perceptions of pharmacy practice, learning behaviors, and sustainability of CPD. Differences between groups on the posttrial survey responses and changes from the trial's follow-up survey to the posttrial survey responses within the intervention group were compared. RESULTS: Of the 91 pharmacists who completed the original trial, 72 (79%) participated in the sustainability survey. Compared to control participants, a higher percentage of intervention participants reported in the sustainability survey that they had utilized the CPD concept (45.7% vs 8.1%) and identified personal learning objectives (68.6% vs 43.2%) during the previous year. Compared to their follow-up survey responses, lower percentages of intervention participants reported identifying personal learning objectives (94.3% vs 68.6%), documenting their learning plan (82.9% vs 22.9%) and participating in learning by doing (42.9% vs 14.3%) in the sustainability survey. In the intervention group, many of the improvements to pharmacy practice items were sustained over the 3-year period but were not significantly different from the control group. CONCLUSION: Sustainability of a CPD intervention over a 3-year varied. While CPD-trained pharmacists reported utilizing CPD concepts at a higher rate than control pharmacists, their CPD learning behaviors diminished over time.

[Continuing/life-long education of pharmacists in the Czech Republic 4th cycle 2008-2011]. / Kontinuální/celozivotní vzdelávání lékárníku v Ceské republice 4. cyklus 2008-2011.

The paper discusses the issues of continuing/life-long education of pharmacists in the Czech Republic in the years 2008-2011 (4th cycle). It lists the seminars organized within the framework of continuing education, their number, venues, forms of education, and categories of topics. Altogether 428 professional meetings have taken place, interactive seminars representing more than 50%.

Evaluation of pharmacist continuing professional development portfolios.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to conduct a random continuing professional development (CPD) portfolio audit to assess the portfolios of pharmacists who completed CPD training in the state of North Carolina and reported adopting it in place of the annual 15-hour continuing education (CE) requirement when applying for re-licensure. METHODS: The NC Board of Pharmacy (NCBOP) staff randomly selected 30 pharmacists to provide CPD portfolio documentation to the Board electronically or in paper format. This documentation included their completed learning plan, a learning activity worksheet for each completed activity, and the Accreditation Council on Pharmacy Education (ACPE) universal activity number for the CPD training program attended. The Task Force used a multicomponent audit tool to assess each portfolio. RESULTS: Eighty percent of portfolios had at least 15 hours of learning reported. Portfolio assessments indicated an average of 5 learning objectives per individual. Based on the scale of 1 to 5, the Measurable and Specific sections of the objectives scored the lowest with an average score of 3 on both sections. An overall assessment of "adequate" or "comprehensive" was noted for 60% of the portfolios. CONCLUSION: Pharmacists completing CPD training are capable of following the CPD process with some potential challenges in documentation. Information submitted to the board of pharmacy is considered sufficient for license renewal purposes.

Simulated caregivers: their feasibility in educating pharmacy staff to manage children's ailments.

BACKGROUND: Community pharmacy staff play a crucial role in the management of common childhood ailments. Simulated patient studies have not yet explored the management of children's cough/cold and fever, nor have many previous studies used simulated patient methods with focus on self-assessment as a training tool to shape future counselling behaviour. OBJECTIVES: To assess and shape the counselling behavior of pharmacy staff when dealing with children's cough/cold and fever; investigate influential factors of counselling behavior; and explore participant perceptions of simulated patient methods as a training tool, with particular emphasis on self-assessment. SETTING: Community pharmacies in the inner city region of metropolitan Sydney. METHOD: Six simulated caregivers visited eight community pharmacies. After applying their scenario, the interaction was scored and immediate performance feedback was delivered in the form of self-assessment. Semi-structured interviews followed, focusing on participant perceptions of self-assessment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Scores for each simulated patient interaction, and qualitative interviews responses from participants. RESULTS: The highest mean percentage score achieved was for the symptom based request for a cough/cold remedy in a five year old (48 ± 14.3 %), while the lowest was the direct product request equivalent (22 ± 8.5 %). Qualitative results showed that simulated patient visits were viewed positively and self-assessment was highly regarded. CONCLUSION: Using simulated caregivers in pharmacy to assess and improve children's cough/cold and fever management is feasible and acceptable. The opportunity to self-assess is particularly beneficial, allowing participants to demonstrate key psychology principles associated with behaviour change.

Impact of a continuing education program on pharmacists' knowledge and attitudes toward asthma patient care.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of an asthma continuing education program on pharmacists' knowledge and attitudes related to asthma pharmaceutical care. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A 20-hour continuing education program was conducted by the joint efforts of the Taipei City Government, Taiwan Association of Asthma Education and Taipei Medical University Wan Fang Hospital, in a series of 4 days afternoon sessions from June 26 to July 4, 2004. One hundred and twenty-five pharmacists participated. The Asthma Knowledge Test in Mandarin and the Asthma Attitude Scale in Mandarin were developed by adapting the scale used to evaluate the impact of pharmacist continuing education programs on diabetic care. The results before and after the intervention were compared to evaluate the impact of the program. RESULTS: Of the 125 participants, 105 returned both the pre- and post-intervention questionnaires, for a response rate of 84.0%. The total score of the attitude section increased significantly from 40.04 +/- 3.35 to 42.54 +/- 2.98 (full score = 50, p < 0.001). The total score of the knowledge section also increased significantly from 7.18 +/- 1.31 to 7.56 +/- 1.15 (p = 0.008). Improvement in the attitude score was found in 70 (67.0%) subjects, and in the knowledge score in 45 (43.5%) subjects. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that attitude and knowledge toward asthma care improved after the continuing education program. Further study of long-term impact and direct changes in asthma pharmaceutical care practice will be necessary.

A five-state continuing professional development pilot program for practicing pharmacists.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a structured educational intervention would support pharmacists' utilization of a continuing professional development (CPD) model compared to pharmacist control subjects. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, observational case-control study of CPD was conducted in which pharmacists participated in several educational interventions, and study and control groups completed prestudy and poststudy survey instruments. RESULTS: Survey data from 57 pharmacists (n = 28 study, n = 29 control) were analyzed and significant outcomes from the CPD stages of reflect, plan, act, evaluate, and record were found between matched study subjects and study and control group comparisons. CONCLUSIONS: With appropriate training and support, pharmacists can utilize a CPD approach to their lifelong learning and professional development.

[Application of joint analysis to ongoing training of pharmacy personnel]. / Aplicación del análisis conjunto en la formacion continua de un servicio de farmacia.

INTRODUCTION: Ongoing training by means of clinical sessions constitutes an essential activity for a pharmacy department, being joint analysis useful to adapt the clinical sessions' characteristics to the preferences of the professionals involved. By means of this study we hope to optimize clinical sessions for their better use and efficiency. METHODS: A least squares model was used to assess the usefulness of different clinical session profiles. Data was collected from 14 individual interviews (7 specialists and 7 residents); these interviews consisted in ordering the clinical session profiles by order of preference. RESULTS: The most valued attributes were duration of sessions (29.9%) and the structure of teaching content (27.8%) in both groups studied; although the duration of the sessions was assigned greater value by the group of residents (31.1% vs. 27.2%). The availability of bibliographical references was the third attribute most valued (17.9%), and the two last attributes by order of importance were availability of a copy in files for storage (13.8%) and multimedia content (10.5%). DISCUSSION: The adaptation of clinical sessions as an integral part of ongoing training leads us to see that we can modify the duration, content structure and availability of bibliographical references so as to adapt them to the preferences of the professionals involved. However, according to the population surveyed, other attributes are of little importance.

Scottish pharmacists' views and attitudes towards continuing professional development.

OBJECTIVES: To summarise Scottish pharmacists' views and attitudes towards Continuing Professional Development (CPD). SETTING: Random sample of RPSGB registered Scottish pharmacists. METHOD: A postal questionnaire of pharmacists' CPD activity, views and attitudes was developed, piloted and sent to 2420 pharmacists. Questions were collated to produce total scores and to rate pharmacists' motivation and attitudes to CPD separately. The number of CPD hours reported by sector and gender were compared ('t' test) and differences identified between hospital, community and primary care in relation to mean motivational attitudinal scores (Mann-Whitney test). RESULTS: Five hundred and forty three pharmacists completed the questionnaire (22.4% response rate). In this study 9.8% of the pharmacists reported spending no time on CPD. Comparisons of hours showed primary care pharmacists and hospital pharmacists reported similar times spent on CPD and significantly more time than community pharmacists (68 h and 66 h vs 45 h; P<0.05). No statistically significant differences between genders were revealed. Internal reliability on motivation and attitude scores ranged from 0.74-0.83 (Cronbach's alpha). Although scores were similar across sectors of practice in terms of motivation and attitudinal questions, statistical differences were consistent; showing higher scores for separate motivation and attitude among pharmacists in primary care than in hospital or community practice sectors (Mann Whitney test; P<0.001). Community pharmacists had a statistically significantly lower attitude score than pharmacists in hospital or primary care sectors (Mann Whitney test; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: There is a section of pharmacists still not participating in CPD. Primary care pharmacists reported most motivation and scored highest in attitude score. Community pharmacists appear to be the sector requiring most support to increase not only their motivation to CPD but also their confidence and ability in participation.