Advancing the pharmacy practice research agenda: views and experiences of pharmacists in Qatar.

BACKGROUND: There is little emphasis on pharmacy practice research in Qatar, with a lack of relevant education and training and a notable lack of exposure to processes of research. OBJECTIVE: To describe views and attitudes of pharmacists in Qatar to pharmacy practice research prior to and following a 2 day introductory research workshop. METHOD: All pharmacists (n = 350) were invited to express interest in attending. All participants were required to complete a questionnaire covering views and attitudes relating to research. Workshop sessions were on: research questions; critically appraising literature; developing research methods; collecting and analysing data; and disseminating findings. Participants completed a post-course evaluation questionnaire. RESULTS: Of the ninety expressing interest, 47 were selected and participated in the first training day, with 40 of these also attending the second day. Participants expressed positive views and attitudes towards research. Most (46/47) strongly agreed/agreed that it was their professional duty to be involved; all strongly agreed/agreed with importance of an evidence base to support practice; but there were issues around time, support and training. The research workshops were positively evaluated by participants. CONCLUSION: Findings indicate pharmacists' willingness to participate in research training in Qatar. However, there is a need to ensure that views and attitudes translate into research participation thus enhancing the evidence base.

Views, attitudes and self-assessed training needs of Scottish community pharmacists to public health practice and competence.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the education and training needs of community pharmacists to support the delivery of an expanded public health role. Setting Community pharmacy in Scotland. METHOD: Two focus groups of community pharmacists (n = 4 in each) in geographically distinct regions of Scotland explored issues of public health function, competencies and education and training. Findings from thematic analysis were used to develop a draft postal questionnaire. Following piloting, pharmacist managers from a random sample of 500 community pharmacies in Scotland were contacted by telephone to ascertain the number of pharmacists working in each pharmacy in the following 14-day period. A survey pack containing questionnaires for each identified pharmacist working in the study period was sent by post to the pharmacist manager in each pharmacy. The questionnaire contained items on: demographics; views and attitudes towards: public health; competencies for public health practitioners; and education and training needs. One postal reminder was sent 2 weeks later. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Main themes identified from focus group discussions; questionnaire response rate; views and attitudes towards public health competencies and education and training. RESULTS: Four hundred and fifteen managers agreed to participate, providing 904 potential participants. The response rate was 25% (223/904). Most (n = 179, 80%) were aware of the term 'pharmaceutical public health'. While a majority saw the importance of public health to their practice (n = 177, 79%) agreeing/strongly agreeing, they were less comfortable with the term 'specialist'. Respondents viewed competencies relating to health promotion (n = 192, 86%) more relevant than surveillance (n = 70, 31%), risk management (n = 29, 13%) and strategic developments (n = 12, 5%). Responses indicated a desire for education and training with more than half (n = 121, 54%) agreeing/strongly agreeing that they had a need now, with 69% (n = 153) expressing a future need. CONCLUSION: Results should be interpreted with caution due to the response rate. However, this research highlights the self assessed gap in competence related to pharmaceutical public health for community pharmacists in Scotland.

Developing consensus around the pharmaceutical public health competencies for community pharmacists in Scotland.

OBJECTIVE: The new community pharmacy contract in Scotland will formalise the role of pharmacists in delivering public health services. To facilitate assessment of education and training needs it is necessary to define the relevant public health competencies for community pharmacists. The objective of this research was to define and develop consensus around such competencies. METHODS: The "Skills for Health National Occupational Standards for Public Health Practitioners" was used to define an initial set of competencies. A two stage Delphi technique was undertaken to develop consensus. An expert panel, representing public health and pharmacy stakeholders, rated their agreement with the importance of each competency, with the agreement level set at 90%. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Level of agreement (%) with each public health competency; those competencies achieving more than 90% agreement with importance for community pharmacy practice. RESULTS: Ten organisations (83% of those invited) and a total of 30 members (88%) agreed to take part in the process. In round 1 of the Delphi, responses were received from 25 (83%) individuals and 22 (73%) in round 2, with consensus being achieved for 25/68 (37%) competencies in round 1 and a further 8/68 (12%) in round 2. CONCLUSION: Public health competencies for community pharmacists achieving consensus predominantly focused on health improvement activities at individual and local community levels and ethical management of self rather than those relating to surveillance and assessment and strategic development. There is a need to research community pharmacists' views of these competencies and to systematically assess their education and training needs.